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Trump: Hire Special Prosecutor on Clinton Foundation; Hackers Target Reporters at U.S. News Agencies; Trump Continue His Outreach to Minority Voters. Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired August 23, 2016 - 14:30   ET

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


[14:30:00] JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: It is from Doug Band, a long-time adviser to President Clinton and executive at the Clinton Foundation. He says, "The crown prince of Bahrain in tomorrow to Friday, asking to see a good friend of ours." He was sending this to the long-time aide to Hillary Clinton, Huma Abedin. She was her advisor at the State Department. She says, "I'm offering Bahrain crown prince 10:00 for meeting with her. If you see him let him know." We have reached out through official channels. The official crown prince was unable to get a meeting through original channels so he went to someone at the foundation. the family, and government "A portion of this transcript has been removed because a reference was made that the Crown Prince of Bahrain was a donor to the Clinton Foundation. However, the Crown Prince has not personally donated to the foundation. Instead, the Kingdom of Bahrain has donated between $50,000 and $100,000 to the Clinton Foundation, not the prince himself." . So that opens the door to questions here from Donald Trump and

others saying there was a "Pay-for-Play." But the problem with that is that we don't have any evidence of what the Clintons gave him. He got a meeting. Yes. But he is a head of state who would get a meeting anyway. So it certainly greases the skids, opens the door to questions. But we do not have any evidence, our reporting and everyone else's reporting that there actually was "pay-for-play" here. That is one of the issues. The FBI's gone over all of this and said there was no wrongdoing. Just careless.

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: It's the access versus the favors.

ZELENY: Right.

BALDWIN: Stick around with me, Jeff Zeleny.

One more voice, our friend, Eugene Scott, in D.C. as well, a CNN politics reporter.

Eugene, just beginning with you, I've been reading so much about this today. This is a non-partisan government oversight group, is quoted as saying, "This is classic access and influence buying," she said. "Yet according to this court, it is not corruption."

Eugene, my question to you is, undecided voters, 76 days to go, do they discern the difference?

EUGENE SCOTT, CNN POLITICS REPORTER: Absolutely not. I don't think. The optics of it looks very bad. There are just more questions that people who are still looking to make a decision regarding the election now have. We still don't have all of the e-mails. So I mean nothing can be put to rest yet. But I think something that may have hurt some voters was last night when Hillary Clinton went on Jimmy Kimmel and kind of joked about it. Some feedback on social media said this is nothing to joke about if countries really got access and influence from methods and ways that were not just the best in terms of integrity.

BALDWIN: It is the criticism, as Jeff outlined, but then there is all the good that this foundation has done all around the world. You have well-known Dem James Carville on "A.C. 360" last night talking about these calls to shut the foundation was. Here he was last evening.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES CARVILLE, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST & CLINTON SUPPORTER: So the Clinton Foundation was, A, taking no money for the Clintons, raising money from rich people and giving it to poor people. And all of a sudden, the press has decided that we're going to go after this and shut it down. You know what? You're probably going to be successful. They're going to be people that are going to die because of this. And all of the people that help shut it down, say, gee, we did -- some people -- a million people had to die but we had to prove a point. OK, go ahead, you have your point. Wow. What a great idea.

BALDWIN: Jeff Zeleny, give me some examples of the good in the world this foundation has done.

ZELENY: There is no doubt the Clinton Foundation in many, many years has done a lot off good work from work in heat to fighting malaria, to developing a lot of vaccines for other diseases around the world. No o questions that. It is without dispute that it does a lot of good work. I'm not sure that James Carville there isn't being slightly hyperbolic saying people will die because of this. There are many charities that also do a lot of things here. So I'm not sure if we've all heard James Carville over the years say things like this. But he is channeled the anger of Bill Clinton, his very close friend here. Because they do believe that the foundation has been sort of marred by all these allegations of influence that may or may not be there. The problem here though is -- and the reason the Clinton campaign believes this is a real issue and they are making changes at the foundation is because they do accept money, unlimited contributions, from foreign governments, from businesses. And there is every ethics group in this town and across the country and the world would say, how do you not have at least questions of influence if she is to become the next president?

(CROSSTALK)

ZELENY: That's why they are going to change the name of the foundation.

BALDWIN: But with the changes, Jeff -- then I'm going to finish. But with the changes, the Republicans are pointing out, like Reince Priebus, for example, if the foundation was up to snuff when she was secretary of state, then why wouldn't it be if she is elected president?

ZELENY: It is a great question. It's a great question. I mean it is -- it was an early worry of the Obama White House. I remember covering this back in January of '09, is the Clinton Foundation going to be an issue here. And it has continued to be an issue. It is something, again, of their own making here. A lot of Clinton controversies are of their own making. This certainly is another one.

[14:35:02] BALDWIN: Jeff Zeleny and Eugene Scott, thank you both very much.

Up next, breaking news just in to us here at CNN. We are learning that Russian hackers may have targeted journalists at "The New York Times." We'll tell you what we know, next.

Also ahead, Donald Trump continues his outreach to African-Americans, to Hispanic voters in this country. But for some folks, his pitch is not exactly hitting the mark. We'll talk about that.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:39:52] BALDWIN: Welcome back. I'm Brooke Baldwin.

Breaking news just in here to CNN on hackers. Hackers are targeting reporters at "The New York Times" and other news agencies here in the United States. Thus far, investigators believe Russian intelligence is likely behind the cyber breach.

Let's go straight to our justice correspondent, Evan Perez.

Evan, what's happening?

EVAN PEREZ, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Brooke, the FBI is investigating this breach, and as you mentioned, the top suspects according to people we have been talking to is Russian intelligence. They've been behind a series of breaches that have been tracked by U.S. Intelligence, by the FBI. And I know that other officials. And the question is why. One of the pictures -- the picture that is emerging from talking to intelligence officious is that the Russians, and specifically their intelligence agencies, are gathering up information, not only from the usual places inside U.S. Government agencies, but also from outside groups that they believe might have a window into the U.S. political system. They seem to be very focused on that part of the political picture. So targeting not only news organizes and reporters, but also think tanks here in Washington. Of course we know about the hack against the DNC and other Democratic Party organizations. So that's part of the picture that's emerging here from all this activity.

BALDWIN: As you point out, there has been this string of hacks. Fingers pointed straight at Russia. What is the U.S. doing to combat this?

PEREZ: Well, one of the things that gets unsaid in the coverage of this is what the U.S. is doing behind the scenes. We are told there is a lot going on and that part of what's happening here might be the Russians basically reacting to what they perceive the activity we know that there is a great deal of controversy inside the Obama administration about the need to point out the activity by the Russians. We've named them China, Iran and North Korea from previous attacks and yet they have not done one against Russia. There is a lot of pressure on the administration to name Russia for some of these hacks and to do something about it. As I said, some of this activity is going on behind the scenes. And U.S. intelligence is doing some of the same activity in Russia -- Brooke?

BALDWIN: Evan Perez, thank you for that.

Coming up next, back to politics. Donald Trump is trying to reach out to voters in this country, African-Americans, Hispanics specifically. Reiterating this line about, "What do you have to lose." But speaking in Akron, Ohio, saying black people can't walk down the street without getting shot. Let's talk about that next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:46:57] BALDWIN: Donald Trump is ramping up his pitch to African- American voters, and now he says Hispanic voters as well. During his rally in Akron, Ohio, the all-important battleground state here, and again before a nearly all-white crowd, Mr. Trump vowed to sweep crime out of the inner cities saying, "Right now black people can't walk down the street without getting shot."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE & CEO, TRUMP ORGANIZATION: It is a disaster the way African-Americans are living, in many cases. And in many cases Hispanics are living. And I say it with such a deep-felt feeling. What do you have to lose? I will straighten it out. I'll bring jobs back.

(CHEERING)

TRUMP: We'll bring spirit back. We'll get rid of the crime. You'll be able to walk down the street without getting shot. Right now, you walk down the street, you get shot.

What the hell do you have to lose? Give me a chance. I'll straighten it out. I'll straighten it out.

(CHEERING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Trump's pleas to some African-American voters in the town not exactly landing as intended.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why did he have the audacity to say that? That's just how he does anything. He just kind of says anything.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You have parents and teachers and staff that are dedicated to our students.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's probably right. What do we have to lose?

UNIDENTIFIED NEWS CORRESPONDENT: So you don't find that insulting and generalizing?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nah. No. Because I'm sure, sooner or later, Democrats are going to insult me some kind of way, too, so.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Then there is the CNN op-ed from Journalist Isaac Bailey. He writes, in part, "We know Trump isn't trying to reach black voters. He is using a caricature of minority life to further endear himself to white conservative voters who want an excuse to vote for him despite his documented bigotry."

Back with me, Eugene Scott, CNN politics report; and also here, Rich Benjamin, a cultural critic and author of "Searching for White-opia."

Rich, to you.

Nice to see you, my friend. Thanks for coming back.

RICH BENJAMIN, CULTURAL CRITIC & AUTHOR: Thank you, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Violence in some inner city neighborhoods, worries of walking down the street. Yes, for a fraction of some. But he is not speaking to you.

BENJAMIN: Well, I don't know who he's speaking to. Brooke, can you imagine if some Podunk TV station out in the middle of nowhere, no ratings, came to you, Brooke and said, Brooke, you excelled at CNN, come to us, what do you have to lose? That's the substance of their recruitment effort?

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: But beyond that, his language about, "You can't walk down the street without being shot."

BENJAMIN: It's one of these things where you say, I'm going to help you but serve, I am going to serve you a back-handed compliment. That's why I agree with you CNN opinion writer, where, on one hand, he seems to be helpful but, on the other hand, he's solidifying his base among conservative whites.

[14:49:54] BALDWIN: Let me stay with you. Isaac Daily isn't the only person that's put forth this thought that, OK, maybe he is reaching out to moderate white Independent voters who haven't quite made up their mind. This isn't really actually speaking to African- Americans. It's really like a sort of, hey, I'm not racist because I'm speaking to African-Americans, kind of-sort of. Truly --

(CROSSTALK) BENJAMIN: I think you soften your image among Independents and among moderate rights by appearing racially reasonable, and so it is kind of like a bank shot on a pool table. You don't really want "A," but you are getting to "B" through "A." I think that's the strategy.

BALDWIN: What if, Eugene, he does want African-American voters, Hispanic voters. Didn't go to the initial NABJ meeting. He has been invited to a second one. Critics ask, why haven't you gone to historically black colleges, universities, barber shops, churches. Where has he been addressing blacks?

SCOTT: These last three speeches have been in predominantly white crowds. So if he actually really wants to speak with black voters, he should perhaps go to where black voters are. This is what I'm getting when I'm talking to people on ground, leaders and real people who would be interested in hearing some alternatives to some of the policies that they say the Democratic Party promoting. He is actually a bit right in terms of the number of black voters and Hispanic voters being frustrated with the Democratic Party and perhaps not seeing me of the promises that they were pitched but failed. Saying you have nothing to lose, you might as well choose me, is not a really effective way of getting at some of those voters who are already more unlikely to vote for you.

BALDWIN: Rich, let me come back to you.

In addition to the venue, even though he is addressing, to Eugene's point, an African-American voter, it is a mostly white crowd. Then I had a dear friend on the show yesterday, dear friend of his new campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, an African-American woman, who was calling out essentially the Trump campaign, saying, if you think you're trying to have African-American surrogates and consider Omarosa (ph), who became famous really for reality television, not really working for you. Who could help them?

BENJAMIN: Well --

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Try not to be speechless.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Or a venue or somehow, just genuinely reach out.

BENJAMIN: He needs to do what's done for white people. This is an age of Twitter. This is an age of authenticity. Surrogates matter less than in 2004, 2008. Number one, surrogates matter less. He's built a direct avenue by him and white voters by being who he is. And he can't do that so much with black voters. It is not a question of what surrogates would he choose. But it is also a question of the damage he's done towards by taking so much personal animosity towards the president, with the birther movement, taking so much animosity towards Black Lives Matter. It is one thing to have a substantive agreement with "X, Y, Z" black person or the president, who is very popular, at least among myself. But how does he not bring that personal venom and that strategic racism that has really been his hallmark since he declared his candidacy?

BALDWIN: Rich Benjamin, thank you so much.

BENJAMIN: Thanks, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Eugene Scott, thank you as well.

Coming up next, President Obama touring the flood damage near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Two new meetings added today. We'll talk about where he is headed next, which has nothing to do with the flooding there?

Plus, the Trump campaign continues to push unfounded theories about Hillary Clinton's health. Up next, we'll talk to Dr. Sanjay Gupta when it comes to the health of both of these candidates. And ask the question, what kind of shape is Donald Trump in? That's coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:58:22] BALDWIN: It is not something he just likes to do, moving heavy boxes, luggage, but doing it for a living can cause a lot of problems. Now there's a new technology that can help end the back pain.

CNN's Vanessa Yurkevich shows us in this week's "CNN Innovate."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These are part of the men and women who build our world. They are part of 151 million Americans in our workforce, but they also make up $192 billion a year in workplace injuries.

(on camera): How hard is this job on your body?

FRANCISCO ROSAS, CONSTRUCTION WORKER: It takes its toll, particularly physical because your body is exposed all the time to heavy lifting.

YURKEVICH (voice-over): Francisco Rosas has been doing heavy lifting for 30 years. Two months ago, he tried wearing an ergo skeleton from the company Strong Arm. They say it helps prevent workers from back injuries. There are two versions. The flex is purely supportive and acts as a reminder of how to work. The V22 is the heavier one.

SEAN PETTERSON, FOUNDER, STRONG ARM: These clutches reach underneath the package and depress so when the user stands up, it is transferred on to the course. The vice tightens on my body supporting my back.

YURKEVICH: Strong Arm says other companies like Anheuser-Busch, Barclay Center and Con-Edison are now investing in technology for their employees. Strong Arm estimates people who wear them are 41 percent less likely to be injured than those who wear no support device. But that's if companies are willing to invest with $300 to $675 per employee and use it correctly.

MIGUELINA PERIDIGAN, CON-ED EMPLOYEE: I was kind of like intimidated and I felt that it was going to be hard to use. It supports me where I need to be supported and it actually reminds me to Bend properly.