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Emanuel Macron Wins FRENCH election; President Trump Congratulates Emanuel Macron; Emanuel Macron Gives Victory Speech at the Louvre. Aired 4-5p ET

Aired May 7, 2017 - 16:00   ET

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


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[16:00:00] DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: There has been all this debate about when is the best time to stretch. And I think there has been pretty good evidence that stretching before a workout may not be the best thing.

Couple of reasons. First of all, your muscles, your tendons, everything is cold. You start to actively stretch that, you can potentially injure yourself. If you stretch too much beforehand that can hurt your performance during your actual exercise. But the best time to stretch is really after your workout.

Accord to the national academy of sports medicine, stretching is not something that supposed to be a particularly long activity. Really no more than 30 seconds. You can push yourself a little bit but you never want to pushier self to the point where it hurts. That's when injuries start to occur.

Stretching is really about flexibility both the body and of mind. Put those things together, that can help you live to 100.

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ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: All right, that was the scene in Paris not long ago with the win of Emanuel Macron. Now you are looking live pictures at nightfall.

Hello, everyone. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Thanks so much for being with me.

We are following this breaking news. French voters giving a stinging defeat to far right Presidential candidate Marine Le Pen. Centrist candidate Emanuel Macron defeating Le Pen to become the country's next President.

Here in the U.S. President Trump tweeting out just a short time ago, congratulations to Emanuel Macron on his big win today as the next President of France. I look very much forward to working with him.

We have got full coverage for you. CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour is at the Macron rally there in Paris, which is like a big old party scene with the deejay and live bands and everything.

So Christiane, let me begin with you this vote, you know, seems to be breaking down to roughly 62 percent to 38 percent in favor of Macron. This is a run-away victory, you know. How symbolic is this outcome to the sentiment of the French?

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, look. This is a major big deal. This election is not just one of the most important, if not the most important since 1958 when the so- called Fifth Republic started under Dugalle. But it is the most important to Europe as well and so much of the western democratic world, because two very different views of the world were dramatically opposed to each other in this election.

His, Macron, the winner, who outward looking, pro-European, pro- French, obviously, would not allow his opponent to seize the "patriot" part.

Her, Marine Le Pen of the far right, national front, extremist party, looking inward, anti-immigration, wanting to close borders to trade, wanting to suspend all immigration.

His vision won. And one of the best signs that we have seen here tonight was people holding up signs that said hope beats hate. And that is basically the way it's been portrayed here today. We have already had reaction from the rest of Europe. We have had Emanuel Macron spoke to Chancellor Merkel as his first call with a foreign leader. France and Germany are the anchors around the European Union. So this is huge.

But it's big, also, because it will stop this wave of nationalism populism that started with Brexit that went over to the United States. And that as now (INAUDIBLE) in a big way being given a big fat obstacle here. And what Macron is say something not that the people aren't hurting and there doesn't need to be reform in the economic project here, but they have to do it in a way that makes the world understand that they are part of the rest of the world. That if it had been Marine Le Pen's policies that have won here, France, in the words of many of her opponents, would have been bankrupt. The place would have just ground to a terrible halt because she had no economic policies that actually made sense to tackle the very pain that the voters feel. At least her supporters feel.

So he is promising reforms. But it is not over yet, you know. He has won tonight, and it is a big deal. I have never seen a French election like this or the reaction to the French election like this. Thousands and thousands of people are coming here to the Louvre. We have live pictures of Emanuel Macron's motorcade because he is coming here shortly to address his supporters live. He already gave a speech inside his headquarters where he promised to bring all French together. But we expect him here at this party very, very soon. Back to you.

WHITFIELD: It is a party indeed. You know, and just speaking of the opulent, the French are known to be very opulent and glamorous. And we are seeing that in that view right there from the Louvre, known for, you know, incredible exhibits there, from Picasso to the Mona Lisa. And then of course you can't see it perhaps Christiane, but to see the Eiffel tower lit up the way it is, it is just stunning and beautiful. And then to see there it is right there. And then to see that motorcade, the excitement of Macron who is about to address his supporters, you know, face to face. You know, the former President, Barack Obama, endorsed Macron.

[16:05:34] AMANPOUR: He is here.

WHITFIELD: And we know that - he has already arrived? OK. And hopefully I guess when he gets out of the car he will go straight to the microphones there.

President Trump was leaning toward Le Pen. Is it in any way, you know, to be determined whether the endorsements, the support, of elected officials, packed elected officials in the U.S., influenced voters there?

AMANPOUR: Look, it's hard to know. You know, certainly the French liked President Obama still a lot. And he did send a message to Macron and it was videoed and it was played all over the airways and online here on Thursday. And obviously President Trump made some tweets that seemed to support Marine Le Pen.

But to be honest, as you know, President Trump has tweeted a congratulations to Macron, looking forward to working together. And I got the first interview tonight a few hours ago right after the results came out with Macron's chief spokesman. And she, too, said that Macron is looking forward to working with all world leaders, including the President of the United States.

And of course, as we know, they will likely get their first opportunity to meet at the G7 which is going to be held in Italy towards the end of this month. So I think around the 24th -- sorry, 25th or 26th of May. So that's when they will start meeting.

He is arriving. We have just been told by the presenters on the stage that the new President of the republic is about to arrive.

Anyway, he wants to work on terrorism with the United States, on all sorts of other joint issues. But also, very, very insistent on trying to persuade the United States to remain inside the Paris climate accord, the main huge, you know, historic global climate accord that was signed here in 2015 and which, you know, India, China, the whole world has signed up to. And they really need America to stay in it as well. So all those big issues will be on the table.

WHITFIELD: OK. All right. So it is going to take a little moment, I suppose, for Macron to make it out of the vehicle, the motorcade to the stage there?

AMANPOUR: Well, they are calling for, you know, they are telling everybody that he is coming. Don't forget, the guy said behind me, to give a big ovation whether his car comes in and he gets on to the stage. So, you know, they are warming up the crowd, so to speak.

WHITFIELD: I think they are warmed up.

AMANPOUR: -- which doesn't need much warming up! There are so many flags.

WHITFIELD: It's pretty hot in that location there at the Louvre.

OK Christiane, I'm going to bring in some other folks who are part of this discussion until Emanuel Macron makes his way to the stage there.

Elise Labott is CNN global affairs correspondent. Ron Brownstein, CNN senior political analyst and senior editor for "the Atlantic" and Boyd Matheson is a former chief of staff for Republican senator Mike Lee.

So Elise, I want to go to you first because, you know, Christiane set it up just perfectly there. President Trump and now President-elect Macron, by that time he will be already inaugurated as President during the time of the G7 later on in the month. It will be an interesting dynamic, these two meeting together. What do we expect that relationship to be like given Trump has made his sentiments clear about being anti-EU at times, NATO and Macron is exactly the opposite?

ELISE LABOTT, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think President Trump is also a bit of a pragmatist, Fred. And I think that as you see him going and meeting with these European leaders, certainly the election of Macron strengthens the hand of the pro-EU crowd. And that means that, you know, President Trump will need to work with this new French President.

And France, you know, will continue to be a leader. They have been alongside the United States, whether it is in the campaign against ISIS, in Afghanistan, in Iraq. And I think that, you know, President Trump is saying that he does not want the world -- the United States to be the world policeman. And France will continue to be a leader in that.

He is going to look to this new French President. He doesn't have a choice but to work with the leader of this very important ally. And I think he will find a way. And you know, if it's not, you know, the kind of friendly relationship that he has developed with Theresa May in the UK, for instance, I think it will be a very transactional relationship where he looks to see what he can get from France.

AMANPOUR: And so, Boyd, do you see President Trump as being rather pliable on the Paris, you know, climate accord? Because while he has said steadfast he wants to dismantle it, see it gone, it is another thing to meet face to face with President Macron who is very much in favor of it. We have seen that President Trump has changed his mind on other things, NATO being one of them. Do you see him changing his mind potentially on in Paris agreement?

[16:10:23] BOYD MATHESON, FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF FOR REPUBLICAN SENATOR MIKE LEE: I don't know that you will see a great swing on the Paris agreement. But I think it is an important point that was just hit in terms of President Trump is very transactional. He is not relation and. I think especially in the global world today and especially how France is positioning now, it is all about finding allies and building alliances. And so they may be allies on certain things. They may choose not to engage on others. But I think that's really where this whole thing has headed.

I think that president-elect Macron has really hit an interesting point. In that not only is his election a rebuke to the far right, but it is also a rebuke to the far left as well. And what his election is really saying is that is we are really not as divided as our traditional political parties want us to believe we are. Because often it is the strident voices at both ends of the political spectrum that keep us a safe distance of solving real problems and whether it is climate change or the EU or NATO, there are some real pieces that need to be done that we can get done if we're looking at allies and alliances verses is far right, far left.

WHITFIELD: So then, Ron, if this election, this French election has sent some strong messages, especially as it pertains to global inclusion, because that's something that was campaigned heavily on by Macron, do you see that, you know, potentially influencing President Trump as he moves forward?

RON BROWNSTEIN, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: It's fascinating. I mean, you may be seeing a Trump effect in these European elections in exactly the opposite direction of what they anticipated. When he won following Brexit, you had kind of the Breitbarts of the world arguing that there was a populist nationalist wave that was building that he represented. But in fact --

WHITFIELD: Right. A real association being made between the Brexit outcome and the Trump outcome. But now do you see that potentially changing?

BROWNSTEIN: Right. You see since his election, Austria, the Netherlands, France, you have seen the insular nationalist parties all lose. And in Germany, the AFD, which is the equivalent party, has lost ground in the polls. And what may be happening here, we have seen - as I said, we have seen all of these societies divide along very similar fault lines between those who are fundamentally optimistic about economic and cultural and demographic change and those who are fundamentally pessimistic about it.

And what may have happened is the U.S. election kind of catalyzed and coalesced those forces that are more supportive of inclusion at home and cooperation abroad. And certainly, you know, when you look at results in a place like Paris in the first round, I think we are going to see it again, it' is possible that Le Pen won less ten percent of the vote. She won five percent of the vote on Paris the first time. We saw that same kind of urban/not-urban divide.

So you do wonder if kind of accelerating the growth of these nationalist parties, whether the Trump election has kind of scared straight some of those voters in Europe who may have been open to this but ultimately prefer a more inclusive and cooperative vision of how their country interacts at home and abroad.

WHITFIELD: So Elise, what is the discussion within the U.S. state department in terms of if the Brexit vote kind of strengthened or weakened, you know, the strength of the EU, and now this French vote may potentially strengthen the EU. How might that dictate the approach from the state department, if not the White House?

LABOTT: Well, I think that there was a lot of concern within the state department, which is certainly an agency that is very pro-EU talking about a united and strong Europe, not just to work with the U.S. in the Middle East, but also, you know, to thwart an insurgent Russia.

And so I think that, you know, there was a lot of concern that if France were to, you know, also vote for Le Pen, that could trigger a withdrawal from the EU, that that would really --

WHITFIELD: There would be a real association with Russia and Vladimir Putin.

LABOTT: Exactly. And he funded her campaign, so there was a concern that that would be a retreat from Europe and really be a disaster for the European experiment, if you will. So I think that, you know, this definitely strengthens the case of the EU. There is a lot of talk now that Europe is -- that the UK is really going to start to feel the pinch about Brexit. You know, President Trump had, you know, in the initial -- when he met with Theresa May, he had talked about that the United States was going to buck up, you know, the UK. It's going to have to work with the EU if it wants to continue to have, you know, these economic and trade relationships. They can't just ask the United States and the UK. France is going to be a very important part. Germany is going to be a very important part. And I think that Macron's election strengthens that argument.

WHITFIELD: And so, Boyd, if this election of Macron also sends a message to Russia's Vladimir Putin who did have relations, you know, friendly relations with Marine Le Pen, how does the U.S. perhaps -- I guess use that outcome to its advantage as it moves forward trying to deal with Russia?

[16:15:24] MATHESON: So I think the big thing for the administration is to continue to just press forward with an agenda. I think that's been the big challenge. Every time you see them wobbling or going far afield, it is because they are not focused on a particular agenda.

And so I think that part of pushing back against Russia is going to be making sure that we do continue to have strong alliances with France, with the UK, and that we are participating where we can in the EU as well. And so it's really about putting a strong front and a strong step forward that we have our agenda, that regardless of what Vladimir Putin's agenda is, which is always going to be in his interest and the interest of Russia, if there are places we can tag team, great. On ISIS and some of those things, fantastic. But we also need to make sure that our other alliances and our historical allies are having a seat at the table and that we are continuing to give them the strength that they need and coming around to some common things that will be good for everybody.

WHITFIELD: All right. We will leave it there. Boyd Matheson, Ron Brownstein, Elise Labott, thank you so much with

the view of a very lit-up Eiffel tower and an electric move as well, the site of the victory rally for the new President-elect, Emanuel Macron.

We understand that his motorcade has arrive. And momentarily, he will be meeting face to face with his supporters, taking to the stage there with his -- more victory remarks.

We will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[16:20:50] WHITFIELD: All right. Welcome back. Live pictures right now of the Louvre in Paris which has also become headquarters for the centrist presidential candidate now calling president-elect, Emanuel Macron.

We understand his motorcade has made its way through Paris and is there at the Louvre. This is a place where you have seen the Mona Lisa if you have been to Paris. But we understand his motorcade has arrive. And soon, he will be taken to the stage there where his supporters patiently awaits to hear his remarks live.

He is a 39-year-old investment banker while he was a finance minister under President Francois Hollande's administration. He has never had elected office. But you see there the support is huge with people there with the tricolor, you know, flag -- blue, white and red. Also talking about hope and their aspirations for this President-elect.

International correspondent Cyril Vanier is not there in the crowd but he has got his own crowd of folks at a cafe there in Paris. And people have been very loquacious about their thoughts about this election.

What do they say?

CYRIL VANIER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: They have, indeed, Fred. And you know, we have met a variety of people here and types of voters. There has been the reluctant Macron voter. There has been people who just been wanting to keep the far right out of power.

Now, we are speaking to Maryann Abraham. And she is an enthusiastic Macron supporters. And just a word of context. Maryann is a French voter who moved to the U.S. a number of years ago, partly because she wanted to be closer to Barack Obama and his inclusive, as she says, brand of politics. What's your reaction to this victory of Emanuel Macron this evening?

MARYANN ABRAHAM, EMANUEL MACRON'S SUPPORTER: I'm extremely satisfied. I mean, Macron is -- he represents a sort of youth and renewal in French politics, some of them have been embedded in some sort of, you know, very old establishment and we are not - we are absolutely blind to the changes in this world and the globalization and we can't be living by ourselves. We have to be interacting with the rest of the world. And in doing so -- VANIER: What do you think is going to change for your country?

ABRAHAM: Well, he will just have more initiatives for people to come to France and be here at France. And also for people from outside of France to sort of conquer the world. And that's what I really appreciate in his endeavors. Yet he is young. He is inexperienced. But maybe he will be closer to the reality of the global market.

VANIER: Will you reconsider your decision to live abroad? Would you move back to France when you see this?

ABRAHAM: Yes.

VANIER: You would.

ABRAHAM: Yes. Actually. I grew up in France. I consider myself to be French. I lived in Paris. Paris to me is one of the most beautiful city I have ever lived in. But being able to be under a government of Macron is giving you a little bit of more flexibility and sort of more initiative and pride. And you say, OK, I'm contributing to a vision.

VANIER: All right. Maryann Abraham, who is reconsidering her life choice on account of this victory by Emanuel macron. Thank you very much for speaking with us.

Back to you.

WHITFIELD: All right, Cyril Vanier. Thank you so much there at a Paris cafe.

And again, you are also seeing on your screen there a huge outpouring of support for the new President-elect at the Louvre. They are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the President-elect on stage there to address them. We will have much more from Paris next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[16:28:48] WHITFIELD: All right. Welcome back. Live pictures of the Louvre which has become a big celebratory party and rally for the new President-elect, Emanuel Macron. His headquarters is also in that general vicinity.

Thousands of people have turned out there as it is now nightfall. They have been waiting. That tricolor, you know, flags, the French flag of blue, white and red. Just moments ago an announcer came out introducing the new President-elect, Emanuel Macron, to emerge momentarily.

He is a 39-year-old investment banker. Has never been in elected political office. He was considered an outsider, even though he was the finance minister for President Francois Hollande.

Earlier, Francois Hollande actually made a phone call to him congratulating him on the victory for this new five-year term. Emanuel Macron earlier today after learning of his victory came out in a very controlled manner and thanked all of those who supported him. He says I won't forget you. And he also pledged that in the next five years, my responsibility will be to allay fears and my determination will be to bring all people together. So as Emanuel Macron comes to the stage there, we will take it live.

[16:30:03] All right. Meantime, President Donald Trump and the White House reacting to Emanuel Macron's victory by congratulating the new French leader. Just moments ago, the president tweeting this, "Congratulations to Emanuel Macron on his big win today as the next president of France. I look very much forward to working with him."

Let's bring in CNN White House correspondent Athena Jones who has more reaction from the White House to Macron's win. Athena.

ATHENA JONES, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fred. That's right. In addition to that tweet from the president last hour, we also got a statement from White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer which very much echoes the tweet, only not in 140 characters. Here's what Sean Spicer said. He said, "We congratulate president-elect Macron and the people of France on their successful presidential election. We look forward to working with the new president and continuing our close cooperation with the French government."

So, a pretty standard statement of congratulations there, just what you would expect from the president of the United States, but it's interesting to note that even though President Trump did not endorse any candidate in this election, he had a lot of nice things to say about Marine Le Pen. They, of course, have a lot in common when it comes to the populism and nationalism that both of them have espoused.

And just last month in an interview with the Associated Press, the president said several nice things about Le Pen. He said she's the strongest on borders and she's the strongest on what's been going on in France, a reference to terror attacks. He went on to say that whoever is the toughest on radical Islamic terrorism and whoever is the toughest on borders will do well in the election.

So, he made those comments after that attack in Paris left one policeman dead. He predicted at that time that that attack would have a big impact on the election. So, it's interesting to note some of his past statements but now of course the president and the White House indicating that they are looking forward to working with Macron. Fred.

WHITEFIELD: Alright, and the two of course meeting face to face potentially for the first time later on in the month at the G7 Summit. All right, Athena Jones, thank you so much. Oh, and Athena, the president has already departed for New Jersey there an on the way back to the White House?

JONES: No, he's departing a bit later. He's scheduled to depart a bit later this afternoon.

WHITEFIELD: Alright, very good. Alright, thanks so much, Athena. Appreciate that of course. In fact, anticipating a fashion catwalk there and sometimes there are fashion shows there at the Louvre. At any moment we're expecting the new president-elect to kind of emerge there from the glass structure there at the famous Louvre and take to a microphone and greet his many supporters who have turned out (INAUDIBLE) to give you that live picture.

Meantime, Macron's victory is a very big win for the center and a crushing setback for the populist movement which has been riding a wave of support in Europe and the U.S. really globally. Let's discuss this now with our panel. Matthew Littman is a Democratic strategist and a former senior advisor to President Obama. Brian Morgenstern is a Republican strategist.

Brian, let me begin with you. President Trump tweeting out that congratulations that we heard through Athena there of this Macron win. So during the French campaigns, Trump, you know, he didn't necessarily endorse a candidate but he did have some kind words for Marine Le Pen and her tough stance on immigration. So, this tweet now and the White House statement, good first steps in perhaps mending fences or laying some groundwork of being able to come together on a global stage?

BRIAN MORGENSTERN, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Absolutely. And as we know, President Trump is a dealmaker and Emanuel Macron with a business background, maybe they'll have some things in common. And the fact of the matter is, politics aside, they are going to have to work together on security issues, for sure with regard to terrorism, with regard to having a united front against Russia and other bad actors out there.

And of course, on economic issues, our countries cooperate on a lot of things. And so the election's over, the hard work of governing starts now. And so, you know, I don't think there is any other appropriate reaction of course than the one the White House just said.

WHITEFIELD: And there's the cue. That was the prelude music as he makes his way through the corridors there at the Louvre in a rather stoic fashion there. This has to be, Matthew, a very overwhelming moment.

There had to been a time along the way during campaigning in the past year because they only ended the race a year ago, that this is a long shot and now he's taking the very long walk there as I mentioned earlier like the catwalks that take place there at the Louvre, you know, to make it to the stage there.

So, you know, Matthew, we did not see an endorsement so to speak from President Trump. Just the kind words by mention. But there was an endorsement outright for Emanuel Macron from the former president, Barack Obama. In what way, if at all, do you believe U.S. leadership has influenced French voters?

[16:35:00] MATTHEW LITTMAN, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Well, I'll tell you, in the case of Macron, I think he is more like Bill Clinton actually than Barack Obama. And I just want to say, as a speech writer, he's about the talk right now. I think what you're going to see is a very, very inclusive speech. Let's contrast that with Donald Trump's inauguration speech which was very, very negative. I think you're going to see a very positive speech here from Macron coming up right now. WHITEFIELD: And it's interesting because this will be kind of a part

two because Macron did speak earlier. It was broadcast there, you know, to the live audience there and he says, you know, "I understand the anger and anxiety and the doubt. My responsibility is to hear that," speaking, too, you know, now as president-elect. And he says he will be addressing, quote, "all forms of discrimination. We have duties to our country."

At the same time, he said France is moving toward a page of, quote, "hope and a re-found trust." And he also said in his earlier remarks, which I'm sure he'll reiterate in a different fashion here as he walks, again, there on the Louvre as he'll be addressing thousands of supporters there in that esplanade there at nightfall. He said, quote, "In the next five years, my responsibility is to allay fears. My determination to bring all people to together." So, already a big prelude to a unifying speech, gentlemen.

So, Brian, how will this resonate, particularly as the U.S. now has to craft how it will maintain relations with one of the most important European allies, France.

MORGENSTERN: Well, it's going to resonate well obviously with the 60 percent or so of the voters who voted for him. But he also is going to have some fairly stiff opposition in France. Le Pen, his opponent, Le Pen's party, did better than it ever has in the past earning almost 40 percent of the vote, which in contrast to the last time that party was on the final runoff, they only got 12 percent. They got crushed.

So this time it seems like they're gaining ground. There's more angst in terms of terrorism and assimilation of folks immigrating from other parts of the world. There's tremendous economic angst. He's going to face opposition from the right on being soft on terrorism and from the left because he wants to basically open up labor laws and make it easier for companies to hire and fire so that they'll invest more.

So, you know, coming at this as not a member of a major party, means that both major parties disagree with him on some key things. So, I think the unifying speech of course will be necessary, if for no other reason obviously to celebrate and bring his country together, but also because he has a very heavy lift in terms of his governing duties to come.

WHITEFIELD: And Matthew, you know, there have been some real parallels drawn between U.S. elections and French elections particularly as it pertains to, you know, a polarized voting electorate, real divisions that were marked during this election. There was a lot of pressure, so to speak, on President Trump to deliver a speech of unity, and now that could be the case for this president-elect, Matt.

LITTMAN: Well, I think this president-elect is actually speaking to the world right now, not just the people of France, to unify the world. Not just France.

WHITEFIELD: All right. Let's now listen in to president-elect of France, Emanuel Macron. (CROWD CHANTING)

EMANUEL MACRON, PRESIDENT-ELECT OF FRANCE (Through translator): Thank you, friends.

(CROWD CHEERING)

Thank you for being here this evening. Tens of thousands of you, and so many faces. Thank you. Thank you for being here, for having fought, struggled with courage, benevolence, over so many months because, yes, tonight you won. France won.

(CROWD CHEERING)

What we have done for months and months now has no precedent, nor equivalence. Everybody told us it was impossible. But they didn't know France!

(CROWD CHEERING)

Thank you.

[16:40:00] Thank you for your trust. Thank you for the time which you gave, for your commitment. Thank you for the risks taken by some of you. I know what they are. This trust obliges me to carry through. I am the depository of that trust. Not to disappoint you and to be equal to the task and to make sure that the tremendous impetus that you represent will be carried through my five years mandate.

(CROWD CHEERING)

I want also this evening to say a word for those French people who voted for me. You committed, and I know that it's not that simple. I want to say something to those French people who voted simply to defend the republic. Confronted by extremism, I understand our divergences and I will respect them. But I will be faithful to this commitment that I undertake to defend the republic.

(CROWD CHEERING)

And I also want to say a word for those who voted today for Madam Le Pen. No, don't boo. They expressed -- they expressed today anger, dismay, and sometimes convictions. I respect them. But I will do everything during the five years to come to make sure that there is no reason at all to vote for extremes.

(CROWD CHEERING)

Tonight, it is only the men and women of France, the people of France united and what you represent tonight in the Louvre is a fervor and enthusiasm and the energy of the people of France.

(CROWD CHEERING)

And this place we are gathered in says that. It has gone through our entire history, through the Ancien regime, to the liberation of Paris, through the French revolution, to the boldness of this pyramid behind me. It is the place where all French people -- a place for all French people. This place is that of France which the entire world is looking at because tonight it is Europe and the world looking at us.

(CROWD CHEERING)

Europe and the world is expecting us to defend the spirit of the enlightenment which is threatened in so many places. They expect that everywhere we should defend the freedom which we have, that we protect the oppressed. They expect that we should bring a new hope, a new humanism to the world, to make the world safer, to defend freedoms and growth, a world of more justice and more equality. They expect us to be finally ourselves.

(CROWD CHEERING)

The task before us, dear citizens, is huge. And it will begin as from tomorrow. We will have to make public life more moral. We have to defend the vitality of our democracy. We have to strengthen our economy. We have to build new forms of protection for this world which surrounds us. And to make sure that everybody has a place through schooling, through culture, to re-found Europe

[16:45:00] and to ensure the security of all French people. This task, this challenge before us is huge and it will require of us that we continue to be brave. This evening we have gained a right which is courage and we will pursue this courage every day. And we will continue to do that, because that's what French people are expecting. It's what Europe and the world is expecting of us.

(CROWD CHEERING)

They are expecting that once again France should amaze them, that France should be itself and that's precisely what we will do.

(CROWD CHEERING)

Our challenge is huge, friends, and it will require the commitment of everybody. The commitment of our armed forces, our law enforcement agencies, our public services and the commitment of each and every one of the elected associations, of trade unions, of salaried workers, of civil servants, merchants, art and tradesmen, farmers, students, pensioners.

(CROWD CHEERING)

Our challenge is huge. And it will require that we demand truth, the courage of truth, the truth which throughout this entire campaign we have born and which I will continue to bear on your behalf.

(CROWD CHEERING)

Our challenge is huge, and it will impose on us the duty to build a true, strong majority, a majority for change. That is what the country is waiting for, aspiring to, and what it deserves. This change is what I'm expecting from you in the coming weeks, because I shall need you more and more.

(CROWD CHEERING)

My dear compatriots, all of you who have accompanied me, have been by my side so many days, so many nights, the people of France assembled here in the Louvre, we have the strength, we have the energy, we have the determination, the will because it is that which has brought us here, made us what we are. It is that which will guide us through our future and we will not yield to fear. We will not yield to any form of division. We will not yield to falsehood, to nothing.

Not to the irony or the love of decline and defeat. I know your ardor, your enthusiasm, I know what I owe you, and I know what I owe to my companions, to my friends, to my family, and my to nearest and dearest.

(CROWD CHEERING)

It won't be very easy every day, I know that. The challenges are very, very tough, and I will tell the truth each time, that your ardor, your energy, your courage will carry me through.

(CROWD CHEERING)

I will protect you. Confronted, as you are, by the threats, I will fight for you against falsehood, immobilism, inefficiency, in order to improve everybody's life. I will respect each and every one of you in what he thinks and defends. I will bring together and reconcile

[16:50:01] people, because I want the unity of our people and of our country. And finally friends, I will serve you. I will serve you with humility, strength, and I will serve you on behalf of our slogan -- liberty, equality, and fraternity.

(CROWD CHEERING)

I will serve you faithful to the trust which you have put in me. I will serve you with love. Long live the republic! Long live France!

(CROWD CHEERING)

WHITFIELD: All right. You saw and heard a very determined and hopeful message coming from the president-elect Emanuel Macron, and now his wife coming out as well. He also spoke of truth -- very strong messaging, talking about the task and quoting him now, "The task before us is huge and it will begin tomorrow."

His inauguration comes one week from now, but this 39-year-old investment banker considered an outsider just taken on the herculean task of winning the French presidential election there. His messages of hope and determination. He said his duties will be to strengthen the economy, to help re-found Europe, he said, and ensure the security of all French people. He says it will require a commitment from everyone.

And he says for those of you who waited for this moment to be for Marine Le Pen, his opponent, and then you heard boos coming from the crowd, he waved off, no, no, no. He didn't say don't boo, but he waved off as if to say don't do that. He says, quote, "They expressed anger," talking about the supporters of Le Pen. "They expressed anger and also conviction" and he says he respects them and he will do everything in which to convey understanding of their message. And now of course the anthem there as many people are waving their tricolor flags of blue, white and red.

All right, back with us now, our panel, Brian Morgenstern and Matt Littman. So, as they pledge their allegiance, you know, to their flag and country now, you know, Brian, it was a very strong message that this president-elect was sending to the country, which saw great divisions in this election.

But he was sending a message of unity and his pledge of this very huge task -- he said it twice -- the task being very huge, not just to strengthen the economy, but to bring people together. This was very similar language than what we've heard in victory speeches in our own country here.

MORGENSTERN: Yes. And one thing that jumped out was that moment where he mentioned his opponent and his supporters started to boo. And he said, they made their voices heard today. They are angry. They are anxious. They have these really serious concerns. And he's making an effort to say I heard their voices as well. I have to be the president of everyone, which just thinks back to our election here in the U.S.

I mean, one of the famous quotes from Hillary Clinton that really harmed her campaign was saying supporters of her opponent, Donald Trump, were deplorable and irredeemable, which of course was exploited by the Trump campaign to great effect. And so, you know, he probably saw that, but also knows that the opposition party has much greater support than it has in the past.

And that there are these concerns with respect to terrorism, with respect to assimilation in certain immigrant communities, as well as the labor and workforce concerns. And so in order to get any sort of agenda off the ground, you know, striking the tone of please, we're all in this together, you know, certainly I think came from the heart.

WHITFIELD: Yes. He's only 39 years old and you know, you made the reference to like Hillary Clinton. Remember her moniker or campaign slogan, was stronger together. My French is a little rusty. I was in college and lived a little bit in Paris, but his "Ensembale, la France" you know, talking about "together, you know, France."

Our Benjamin Hadad is also with us. He is actually the representative for the Emanuel Macron party and is based right here in the U.S. And also a research fellow at the Hudson Institute joining us on the phone from Washington, D.C. So, Mr. Hadad, let me, you know, read to you a

[16:55:00] statement coming from the White House put out just a short time ago. "We congratulate president-elect Macron and the people of France on their successful presidential election. We look forward to working with the new president and continuing our close cooperation with the French government." At the same time you heard the very strong language coming from the

new president-elect, you know, saying that the task will be huge and it will begin right away, tomorrow. We have strength, energy, determination and will, and it is that that will guide us and our future. This was not just a message to the French voting electorate, was it? This was a global message.

BENJAMIN HADAD, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, EN MARCHEL PARTY (over the phone): Yes, absolutely. Look, you know, I think both elections in the United States and in France actually show that there is a huge desire for renewal, for change, to you know, get out of the politics as usual. I think Macron's win shows that, you know, he transcended the traditional left/right divide. He created his own party from scratch a year ago.

He was an unknown figure in French politics four years ago. But clearly the French do want reforms. They want a new movement to be deployed and to reform the country and to open to Europe. I welcome the message from President Trump because as you know, Macron ran against Marine Le Pen who was embracing an anti-European, anti-NATO, pro-Russian platform. Her party had been funded by Russia. So clearly for the (INAUDIBLE) alliance for the teacher of Europe. Macron's win is a very important message as well.

WHITFIELD: Alright, Mr. Hadad, Matt Littman, Brian Morgenstern, thank you so much. Again, we also heard, you know, a very strong message coming from the new president-elect which really was seemingly a direct reference to the reports of the Russian hacking, you know, of his e-mails, his campaign e-mails when he said, we will not yield to falsehoods. And he said it a second time, "I will fight falsehoods."

So again, first words from the president-elect, as he was right there live in front of many supporters, right there at the Louvre in Paris. Our live coverage continues. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Thanks so much for being with us. Much more right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANA CABRERA, CNN NEWSROOM SHOW HOST: Top of a very busy live hour here in the "CNN Newsroom." I'm Ana Cabrera in New York. Thanks for being with us.

We begin with live pictures out of Paris, France tonight. An emphatic rejection of far right nationalist Marine Le Pen and the celebration for the victorious next president, Emanuel Macron, continues right now late into the night.

And then a short time from now, President Trump here at home returns to Washington where he faces the next phase of his fight to repeal and replace Obamacare.

And tomorrow a pair of high-profile appearances before Senate committees and the American people on the Russia investigation.

First, we begin with the breaking news overseas right now, a new president is elected in a country [17:00:00] that's a very close friend to the U.S. In a landslide, the

French people said no to a candidate who wanted to close the country's borders to immigrants for France out of NATO and take the country back in time to the days before the European Union.