Return to Transcripts main page

CONNECT THE WORLD

Funerals Begin Today for Victims of Anti-Semitic Attack in Pittsburgh; Trump Has to Pittsburgh As Funerals Begin; Pentagon Sending 5,200 U.S. Troops to Mexican Border; Pittsburgh Attacker Echoed Fox News Talking Point; Remains from Indonesian Playing Crash Site Transported in Body Bags; Trump Attacks Media in Aftermath of Hate Crimes. Aired 11-12p ET

Aired October 30, 2018 - 11:00   ET

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


[11:00:00] BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST: Hello and welcome. You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson, live from right here in Abu

Dhabi, our Middle East programming hub.

We begin tonight with a sense of change. It's a change that we are seeing across America. From the changes in Washington thought they could only

ever imagine, to the changes that people in Pittsburgh simply never could. It's a change we're seeing across the world, too, from the winning salute

of the Trump of the tropics to "auf wiedersehen" of Europe's most familiar face.

We all watch these changes every day, but then we carry on with our lives until we wonder how one by one these little changes manage to change

everything. And that's where we begin our program tonight with one question -- is this what a new world era looks like? Like in Rome are we

watching the pillars of establishment fall down before our very eyes until like Caesar, we wonder why the breaking of so great a thing did not make a

greater crack.

One might think that in a place directly hit by those changing tides in the worst possible way, the sense of suspicion and vengeance might be the

natural human response, but not in Pittsburgh. There, as they begin to bury their dead, they do so with both love and unity, with the city's mayor

saying we reach out to our Jewish community to share love, compassion and empathy. We are stronger than hate. The mayor has also asked that the

President himself wait before visiting. But Donald Trump is making his way there regardless.

Our team covering all sides of what is this incredibly important story from the political, to the heartbreakingly personal. In Washington we have

Washington correspondent Abby Phillip, as well as analysis from Josh Rogin and in Pittsburgh itself, Jean Casarez is standing by. Abby, let me start

with you. What message is it that the U.S. President will take to Pittsburgh when he arriving later today?

ABBY PHILLIP, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, that's such an important question. Because for President Trump this last week has been

really about confronting these tragedies and, in some cases, an attempted terror attack, just last week when bombs were being sent to political

opponents. And talking about this issue of the role that rhetoric may or may not play in the political environment in this country right now.

There is a question about whether we will even hear President Trump. As of right now there are no plans for him to give some kind of public speech.

He might very well visit some of the victims in the hospital in a very private and in some cases very quiet visit. President Trump may not even

have an opportunity to deliver that kind of message to the country because this visit is happening and going forward, despite as you just mentioned,

some concerns and reservations among some of the people in that community. They are, in fact, today burying some of the dead from the tragic shooting

over the weekend. And President Trump's visit is happening at a time when some people are saying maybe we should wait, maybe we should let the dust

settle before you arrive here.

If we do hear from President Trump, it may be to reporters and trying to in some cases frame this visit in a way that he -- that he thinks is

beneficial to him. He has said in the last 24 hours that we wanted to go as soon as he could to be there for these families but not get in the way.

The question is will there be protests there or will he be greeted by local elected officials there. There are really big questions about that as we

go into this day -- Becky.

ANDERSON: We'll get to Pittsburgh and to Jean in just a moment. But I have to ask you, that we have heard already from Trump, Donald Trump, today

and what's called birth right citizenship. That if you're born in the U.S. you get to live there. We're choosing not to play the sound of him talking

about it because frankly it's unclear if he can actually do anything about it and it's clearly a distraction at this point. Isn't that right -- Abby?

PHILLIP: It certainly seems that way. The closing message from President Trump and his allies in these final day before the midterm elections is

just one week away has been about immigration, it has been about riling up his base over this issue. Now the President told Axios that he believes --

and perhaps some people within the White House believes -- that he could do this by executive order. Well, that's not at all clear that that's even

possible.

[11:05:01] Birth right citizenship is enshrined in the U.S. constitution. The vast majority of legal scholars out there believe that it would require

a constitutional amendment, not some kind of executive order. So, there are some real questions about why is the President talking about this right

now? Why is he raising an issue that is probably not even possible for him to do? And a lot of people are putting this in the context of all the

other stuff happening. He's been talking about this caravan coming up from Central America to the southern border. Bringing the military to greet

them at the border, to stop them from entering the United States, perhaps even changing the way that you can seek asylum in this country. It's all

part of a broader message from the President and his allies about immigration, a central issue for his base going into this election.

ANDERSON: Let me get to Jean in Pittsburgh where there is only one theme as it were, and that is one as we've described, love and unity in all of

what it seems is going on, the heartbreak, the destruction to families. Jean, what is the mood there?

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I think unity is one thing that I see. People just coming together, honoring, respecting the victims. That really

is the reason why we are here, the victims that gave their life through no intention of their own. But the very first funeral is starting right now.

Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz. Not at this location, at another location in the city. But I'm at the Tree of Life synagogue. This is where it happened.

And there's an immense amount of police here today. I think to ensure the safety of everyone.

But I want you to see the memorial. If you look across the street, you can see the memorial to these victims, the amount of flowers. The people have

been coming consistently through the day from all over Pittsburgh and quite possibly out of this city to come and pay their respects, to honor the

victims.

Now following the funeral that is under way right now at a separate location is Pittsburgh, the brothers that we heard so much about, Cecil and

David Rosenthal, they are going to have their funerals. So, those are the two today. Very beloved by the synagogue community and by the entire

Pittsburgh area.

But the work continues here. This is an investigation. This is a crime scene where I am right here at the Tree of Life synagogue. I saw the FBI

this morning. They're doing their work. And there's also a defendant now in this case and he sits in a jail with federal custody, and his next legal

proceeding set for Thursday.

ANDERSON: Jean, what sort of reception will the U.S. President get in Pittsburgh today?

CASAREZ: Well, we understand that he is going to the hospital to visit the victims. There are actually four victims that remain in the hospital. Two

of them were part of the congregation that were seriously wounded. The other two are officers that so bravely confronted that alleged murderer on

the third floor. One officer in critical condition because of his extremities, his arms, his legs, his pelvis were hit and shattered by the

gunfire, and so he will be visiting them.

There is a call for unity. There is a call for peace. The rabbi of the synagogue here, Reverend Myers, who will be conducting one of the funerals

today, said that he's gotten a lot of e-mails saying that the President should not come and that he should not condone the President coming. Which

he has. He has said, this is my President and I welcome here. But he says that those are filled with hatred from people and he doesn't want to see

that. He just wants the hate to be gone and he wants unity here.

ANDERSON: That's Pittsburgh. Josh, Donald Trump out and about across America with a week to go, just a week to go, before these U.S. midterm

elections, hitting Ohio, Florida, Montana, West Virginia, Georgia, in what will be a packed few days. That is, of course, after he goes to Pittsburgh

today. Why these states?

JOSH ROGIN, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, sure, I think that the President has a dual track strategy. One is to turn out the base in states where

there are senator or gubernatorial elections that are very, very close, especially in Florida and Georgia. But he's also going to states where

there are not big national elections. He was in North Carolina last week. So, he's also beginning to make his 2020 message. We know how President

Trump feels about the recent events because he tweeted just a couple days ago that these crises have thrown off his drive to increase Republican

momentum and thereby increase Republican turnout ahead of the elections.

[11:10:04] And so, he sees this as an unfortunate political event as far as his efforts to tip the balance towards Republicans next Tuesday. So, he's

sticking to his script and aside from going to Pittsburgh today, he going to be back out on the trail giving the stump speech, giving the same

messages. Blaming the media, blaming Democrats for what's going on in our political environment. And taking other big moves like sending troops to

the border and announcing that he's going to end birth right citizenship. This is a clear strategy to increase Republican turnout and not focus on

the principles of unity that you're going to hear coming out of the mouths of a lot of speakers of Pittsburgh today.

ANDERSON: Yes, you rightly point out that the U.S. military, of course -- sending more than 5,000 troops to the Mexico border in response to the

migrant grant caravan issue --

ROGIN: Which is weeks away.

ANDERSON: That's around the same number -- right. That's about the same number of troops that have been in Iraq recently. Look, he may have

already -- you may certainly have felt like you've answered this question, but I'm going to ask it again. Is this all about political capital ahead

of the midterms just a week away now? And we asked at the beginning of the show, are we living in a new world order at this point? What's your

perspective there in the U.S.?

ROGIN: Sure. Well I think we've seen for many months now the White House and the President himself focus on issues that have a clearer connection to

turning out the base in the midterms, not just on foreign policy and national security, but including our foreign policy and national security.

When you look at the amount of focus put on the release of a pastor in turkey, when we look at trade, when we look at border issues, it's all

about doing what President promised to do in his 2016 campaign. He doesn't always succeed, but he's sending a clear message to voters that the voters

who voted for him are going to get what they want from this President and everyone else is not part of that effort.

Now when you're talking about a new world order and you look around at what's going on in the world, I think that's yet to be determined. We can

see indications in both directions, and in some countries for sure more nationalist, populist and right-wing leaders are coming to power and in

other countries there is a push back against those efforts. So, there's a struggle going on, and President Trump is on the nationalist/populist,

right wing and of that struggle, but that struggle is being waged internally in countries around the world and in terms of our international

politics and it's far from over.

ANDERSON: Josh Rogin, Abby Phillip and to Jean Casarez, we thank you all for your coverage, your continued coverage, and your analysis this hour.

Thank you.

In the search for answers following the synagogue massacre, there is new scrutiny over the suspect's social media posts and how his anti-Semitism

merged with a hatred of immigrants. He used language heard from both President Trump and his favorite news channel. So, is Fox News becoming

super toxic to the point of extreme violence? Well that is a question that CNN's Brian Stelter has looked to answer.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Pittsburgh shooting suspect's hatred of Jews merged with his hatred of immigrants to

deadly results. He called migrants invaders, using the same dehumanizing language that's been saturating right wing radio and TV.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This invading hoard.

NEWT GINGRICH: This is an invasion.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is an invasion.

STELTER: We may never know where the suspect heard these ideas or why he believed them. But we do know that the hate crime coincided with a rise in

hateful language. From the InfoWars fringe, to Fox's prime time lineup.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have this invasion coming over every day.

STELTER: Almost as soon as the migrant caravan formed in Central America.

TUCKER CARLSON, FOX NEWS: It's a kind of invasion.

STELTER: Fox News, talking heads and President Trump made it out to be a major threat.

JUDGE JEANINE PIRRO, HOST, "JUSTICE WITH JUDGE JEANINE": You do not have the right to come here. We did not invite you here. You cannot stay here.

STELTER: Republican leaders echoed this line.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have to treat this as an invasion.

STELTER: And look at the on-line reactions.

GINGRICH: This is an invasion. This is an act of attacking the United States' sovereignty.

STELTER: Scroll down on any of these videos on YouTube and the fire was raging with commenters screaming about an invading army, even though the

migrants were 1,000 miles away and fleeing danger. One voice on Fox tried to point that out.

SHEPARD SMITH, HOST "SHEPARD SMITH REPORTING": The President, has called it an assault on the U.S. border. It is absolutely not.

STELTER: But his audience rejected that. Shep Smith reading a tweet from a viewer.

SMITH: Sorry, Shep, we are not falling for your fake story. This is an invasion.

STELTER: Was the gunman watching? We may never know. But the right-wing climate was full of outrage.

[11:15:00] Six days before the shooting, the suspect wrote, I have noticed a change in people saying illegals that now say invaders. I like this.

In the past two weeks, the word invasion was spouted on Fox more than 60 times. And on Fox Business, 75.

DAVID BOSSIE, TRUMP 2016 CAMPAIGN MANAGER: The American people are seeing these visuals on television every day and they think of it as an invasion.

STELTER: Combine that with the claims that Democrats were funding the caravan.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Another leftist funded operation.

STELTER: Laura Ingram saying leftists were aiding and abetting. Congressman Matt Gates sharing a video saying people were being paid to

storm the U.S. border.

Soros is a favorite boogieman of the right. He's a billionaire donor, and he's Jewish. Dark corners of social media filled up with conspiracy

theories and it spilled on to TV.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: From the Soros occupied State Department.

STELTER: This Lou Dobbs guest blaming the caravan on Soros calling to mind an anti-Semitic group trope about Jews secretly running the government.

The suspects final post on Gab blamed a Jewish refugee group for bringing in invaders. Now "The Washington Post" arguing that conspiracy theory

about Soros and the caravan inspired the horror in Pittsburgh. And Adam Serwer writing in the "Atlantic", saying Trump's caravan hysteria led to

this.

The President's reaction? He tweeted on Monday, this is an invasion of our country. Brian Stelter, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: From the U.S. tonight, we move to Brazil and to Europe as we ask, are we witnessing a new world era? And if so, what of the impact on

the likes of you and me? Well before that, heartbreaking news for families with loved ones aboard Loin Air flight 610.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): My prediction is no one survived because we only managed to retrieve body parts that are incomplete.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Indonesian authorities are trying to figure out why a new Boeing airliner crashed into the sea with 189 people on board.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:20:00] ANDERSON: Well a painstaking, heartbreaking search as all hope fades of finding any survivors. Indonesian rescue teams are scouring the

area where a passenger plane plunged into the sea just minutes after takeoff with 189 people on board. It's almost impossible to imagine the

anguish of the victims' loved ones as crews retrieve bags of human remains and bring them assure for identification.

Authorities are trying to figure out why a brand-new Boeing 737 suddenly lost altitude after taking off from Jakarta and then simply vanished from

radar. The pilots of Lion Air flight 610 had asked to return to the airport before the crash. CNN's Ivan Watson is at a port in Jakarta where

boats are coming in with debris and, sadly, body parts retrieved from the sea.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This is just one of more than 30 ships and aircraft involved in this difficult job now, trying

to locate missing loin air flight 610. And they've been bringing in these gruesome deliveries of debris from the plane as well as remains of some of

the 189 passengers and crew who were on board when it went down.

Another boat just arrived, bringing in more debris from the Java Sea. I've seen some of the personal effects, including a child's shoe being brought

off of one of these vessels. And I'm sad to say, there's the smell of decomposition in the air from some of the human remains as well. The

authorities have collected DNA from relatives to help with the difficult identification process.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, was here this afternoon, personally inspecting a very complicated operation here. The sun is

setting here, but nobody is heading home any time soon. The salvage efforts are still very much under way and it involves divers, underwater

submersibles, sonar, and then trying to sight debris from the sky and from the surface of the sea as well.

Up until now, the authorities have not located the main fuselage of the plane nor have they found the data flight recorders, the black boxes that

could hopefully yield some information that could help solve the mystery of why a brand-new Boeing 737 went hurdling out of the sky so soon after

liftoff.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Well hours later, night has fallen in Jakarta, Ivan is still on the scene. And I know you've been pushed back, but what can you see at

this point of any activity there -- Ivan?

WATSON: Yes. Every hour or so another ship comes in with these kind of gruesome deliveries of debris and human remains. And as I mentioned there

earlier, still, the black box, the data recorder, has not been located. The authorities say the beacon that it's supposed to set off to find it,

they haven't picked up the frequency, the pings that are supposed to help locate that, and that would hopefully, again, yield some kind of

information about why the plane went down.

Now, questions were asked of the managing director of this low-budget carrier here, Lion Air, who he did point out that aviation authorities are

inspecting the other eight identical aircraft -- identical model aircraft, Boeing 737 Max 8 -- that they have in their fleet. They're also inspecting

one that belongs to the national carrier Garuda airlines. Presumably to make sure that this -- whatever happened doesn't repeat itself. Some

aviation experts are pointing to one thing, Becky. They're saying that hey, Lion Air has admitted that something went wrong on the proceeding

flight Sunday night from Bali to Jakarta, that the same doomed aircraft flew. Now they have not specified what went wrong on that plane.

There was a posting from one passenger who said that there was a long delay for takeoff and the plane -- an engine seemed to be rattling. And we

caught up with the managing director and asked, hey, did whatever that what went wrong on Sunday could that have happened again Monday morning, hours

later? Though you reported repairs had been done that could have led to this disaster, and the managing director, Daniel Putut, said I have no

idea. We've given all the information we have to the investigators and they're looking into it.

So, that is a big question mark right now -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Yes, and this plane apparently went down in shallow waters.

[11:25:00] We are still waiting for the main body to be found at this point. What are officials telling you about that?

WATSON: Actually, the depths are about 30 to 35 meters deep, so they're using submersibles and divers in some quadrants and then they're working

from the air in other areas. And again, these planes, they're supposed to send a signal out so that you can help find some of these things. But that

signal is not being picked up by the detecting mechanisms.

Just speaking as not an expert, the debris that is being brought in that you can't quite see in the darkness here, there are pieces of the plane

itself and everything that's been brought in, they're small pieces. I'm talking, you know, not longer than I'm holding my hands apart right now,

which suggests that it just smashed into little bits. The velocity this plane was going at when it plunged into the ocean, and again, just really

minutes after takeoff. It only traveled a distance of about 60 kilometers from the airport where it took off before it crashed.

ANDERSON: Ivan Watson there on the scene. Ivan, thank you. And you can follow the latest updates on this story on our web, of course. We're

tracking the search and recovery efforts as well as the investigation into what caused what has been this devastating crash. That's more at CNN.com.

Live from Abu Dhabi, you're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. And that is what we are doing this hour, joining the dots to form what is taking shape as a

disturbing picture. The rise it seems of bigotry and hatred from the U.S. to Brazil to Europe. Just ahead we look at another common theme, the

record-breaking rise of global inequality. How much does it fuel this populist rise? That's next.

[11:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Our top story this hour, U.S. President Donald Trump will travel to Pittsburgh later in an effort to comfort and console, but not everybody

in the community hit by the worst anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history is welcoming the visit. The city's mayor says it's too soon and he will not

appear with the President.

Well Mr. Trump's visit coincides with the first burials for the 11 victims killed in the synagogue massacre Saturday. It comes amid the final sprint

for the U.S. midterm elections. Now just one week away. Mr. Trump has condemned anti-Semitism but has refused to take responsibility for any role

his rhetoric might have played and said he's returned to what is a familiar fallback, attacking the media. Jeff Zeleny with this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With Pittsburgh poised to bury victims of the horrific hate driven slaying at

the Tree of Life synagogue, President Trump opened his day not consoling mourners but falsely blaming the media.

At 8:03 a.m. today he tweeted, there is great anger in our country, caused in part by inaccurate and even fraudulent reporting of the news. The fake

news media, the true enemy of the people, must stop the open and obvious hostility and report the news accurately and fairly. That will do much to

put out the flame of anger and outrage.

At a rare White House briefing today press secretary, Sarah Sanders, denounced the mass shooting.

SARAH SANDERS, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Above all it was an act of evil.

ZELENY: But defended the President's words.

SANDERS: The very first thing the President did was condemn the attacks both in Pittsburgh and in the pipe bombs. The very first thing the media

did was blame the President and make him responsible for these ridiculous acts.

ZELENY: But attacking the media is how the President chose to use his bully pulpit today, not calling out the anti-Semitic views of the gunman

who police say shouted, he wanted all Jews to die. But through a deflection and a familiar tirade against the press.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And I'd have a much different tone, frankly, if the press was even-handed. If the press was

fair. I'd have a much different tone all the time. But I'm fighting the media.

ZELENY: After 72 hours of unspeakable violence in America, two African- Americans slain outside a Kentucky grocery store, a Florida man charged with sending pipe bombs to Trump critics and the synagogue massacre, the

President initially denouncing the hate crime at a weekend rally.

TRUMP: The vile, hate filled poison of anti-Semitism must be condemned and confronted everywhere and anywhere it appears.

ZELENY: But his compassion and grief evolved into an airing of his grievances.

TRUMP: And if you don't mind, I'm going to tone it down just a little bit. Is that OK? No. I heard. What you're from Illinois. I had a feeling you

might say that.

ZELENY: The President is facing a mixed reaction as he and the first lady plan to visit Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Jeffrey Myers, the rabbi at the Tree

of Life synagogue, said he welcomed the President.

JEFFERY MYERS, RABBI TREE OF LIFE SYNAGOGUE: The President of the United States is always welcome. I'm a citizen. He's my President. He is

certainly welcome.

ZELENY: But that view is hardly universal. With Lynette Lederman, a former President of the congregation, asking the President to stay away

unless he firmly denounces hate speech.

LYNETTE LEDERMAN, FORMER PRESIDENT, TREE OF LIFE SYNAGOGUE: I do not welcome this President to my city. Because he is the purveyor of hate

speech. The hypocritical words that come from him tell me nothing.

ZELENY (on camera): And that is exactly the mixed view and climate the President and first lady are walking into when they are scheduled to go to

Pittsburgh on Tuesday. The White House saying the President will meet with any families who want to meet with him, but they are still working out the

sensitive visit even as burials are likely to be happening.

But after the President's visit on Tuesday he's back to the campaign trail on Wednesday, scheduled to hold some 11 campaign rallies in the final week

before the midterm elections. Jeff Zeleny, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Well, my next guest echoing a line that many have, saying that Mr. Trump uses social media as, quote, a wrecking ball that divides,

insults and spreads false information, confusing the nation in ways that potentially benefit his administration. Julien Zelizer Is a regular guest

on the show joining me now from New York. You use the term wrecking ball.

[11:35:00] Donald Trump would say you got to wreck, you've got to bulldoze to rebuild. Right? And that was a campaign promise that he made --

Julien.

JULIAN ZELIZER, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, we don't know if he's really serious about rebuilding, but we do know that he's serious about taking

things down. It's not simply being anti-establishment, it's not simply working outside of the box. What we're talking about is his use of

language and imagery through tweets, through speeches at rallies, that plays right into the sentiment of white nationalist organizations and other

kinds of extremist individuals and groups in the United States. And that's just about breaking things. It's not about putting them back together.

ANDERSON: None of this is happening in a vacuum, as you and I know. We know America's inequality problem is getting worse. Last year CNN

reporting the richest 1 percent of families controlled almost 40 percent of the country's wealth. A pattern repeated in wealthy industrialized Europe

too, with the top earning 20 percent of the population and have five times as much as the -- income as the bottom 20 percent. The rich getting

richer, the poor getting poorer. It's such a cliche, as is the election victory of the populist every man promising to right this wrong, not just

in the United States. Of course, we are seeing it elsewhere. The rise of a populist in Brazil, the demise of someone who irks a very populist ideal

in Angela Merkel in Germany. Julien, there is a big economic element to the rise of the right all over the world, isn't there?

ZELIZER: I think that's an important part of this story that's often overlooked. Even though it's a cliche, it's true. Economic inequality has

been a big problem. It's been getting worse. And the divide between the rich and poor, even in good economic times, in the United States is pretty

severe. So, when you have conditions like that here or elsewhere, you'll have leaders who try to exploit that frustration, fear, and the anger that

comes out of it. And I think in the case of some of the leaders you're talking about, the way they exploit it is by playing to anger, by finding

people to blame --

ANDERSON: Sure.

ZELIZER: -- rather than dealing with the issues themselves.

ANDERSON: Well, the press, including CNN, pushing back on the idea that the media are enemies of the people. Have a listen to this exchange. It's

very pertinent given what you just said. Hang on.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Shouldn't you have the guts, Sarah, to state which outlets, which journalists are the enemy of the

people?

SARAH SANDERS, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Well I think it's irresponsible of a news organization like yours to blame responsibility of

a pipe bomb that was not sent by the President.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: And Julien, the exchange was wider than that, but the point being, I think, that the White House is combative approach is playing well

in some quarters. What are you expecting to see, for example, in the midterms in a week's time?

ZELIZER: Well, I think what we know is it's competitive an that's all we can say. It isn't clear that Democrats are going to have this huge

victory, which is what people were predicting a month ago. And it will be about turnout. In certainly in some red parts of the country, Republican

parts of the country, all the rhetoric that you're hearing from enemy of the people -- which by the way was a term used by Stalin and Nazi Germany,

so not a great term to use this week -- to the attacks on the quote/unquote caravan will help drive up votes in some Republican areas. I think look,

the prediction is senate goes Republican, house goes to the Democrats. But I think the honest answer at this point is we don't know. What we do know

is this is an extraordinarily competitive race, even with the President's low national approval ratings.

ANDERSON: Finally, when it comes to the migrants making their way towards the U.S. border, Fox News has repeatedly hyped the caravan as it's known as

an invasion. At least 60 times, in fact. Brian Stelter's report speaking specifically to this just moments ago on my show. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, FOX NEWS: This invading hoard.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE, FOX NEWS: You know, calling it a caravan is a misnomer and is frankly, sickening.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, FOX NEWS: I don't want to see anybody hurt here nor do I want to see our country invaded by 14,000 people. None of who have been

vetted.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE, FOX NEWS: You can tell the Democrats and George Soros and the angry mob that's coming here, you either come the right way like

everyone else or be ready to face the military.

[11:40:01] CARLSON: 22 million, all of them again using fake federal documents here illegally. Why would that not be an invasion?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Julien, you've said that the words that a President chooses to use can matter as much as public policy and you saw their examples of a

President supporting media organizations. Are Trump's words really more important than his actions at this point?

ZELIZER: They are. I do think the words matter. The way he is framing these kinds of issues affects how parts of the media will cover what the

story even is. The notion this is some kind of invasion and it will motivate people in the electorate, some stable, some unstable, to act

according to his kinds of words, to believe what he is saying is true.

Let's not forget Robert Bowers, one of the things he talked about before he went into the synagogue and fired away, was about his argument that Jews

were helping the refugees, you know, come into the country, this organization HIAS which helps refugees. So, these words are seeping down

into the electorate and that's why Presidents have to have responsibility in terms of what they say. So, the rhetoric is a kind of policy. It is a

kind of action. And it certainly does matter.

ANDERSON: Julien, thank you. CNN's political analyst Julien Zelizer, with his insight for you this hour. Thank you.

ZELIZER: Thank you.

ANDERSON: Before we move on, something slightly different, but that perhaps plays into some of the broader themes here. What would you say for

this coffee cup? Ten bucks? 20? 30? Well the U.S. Air Force forked over -- get this -- $1,280 apiece for these things. The cups can reheat drinks

like coffee and tea on tankers and cargo planes. But even so, the secretary of the Air Force says they won't be buying any more for now while

more cost-effective solutions are looked at and lawmakers demand answers.

Well as ever, we are coming to you live from Abu Dhabi this hour. And up next, let me get you somewhere extremely exotic and amazing that is -- it's

only about a 15-minute drive and a quick boat ride away from right here in our studios. We'll meet a man whose everyday commute takes him to an

island paradise. Stay tuned.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:45:00] NEIL CURRY, CNN REPORTING (voice-over): There are up to 200 natural islands dotted along Abu Dhabi's coastline and this man travels to

one every day. Marco Abed is the culinary director of Zaya Nurai island resort. Only a ten-minute boat ride from Abu Dhabi.

MARCO ABED, CULINARY DIRECTOR OF ZAYA NURAI: Every day going here by the boat, no traffic. It's beautiful, right?

CURRY: Nuri comes from the Arabic word, nur, meaning light. It's been visited by royalty, a-list celebrities and other VIPs.

ABED: Nuri is very special. I think it's a very magical environment. Once you come to Zaya, it just takes you to another -- it makes you travel,

you know. It disconnects you completely from the world.

CURRY: Marco oversees all the restaurants on Nuri island.

ABED: I'm quick type of chef but I like to do my own. The fresher it is, the better. So, I check my kitchen every day in the morning to see what's

happening. Everything is good, chef.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good morning.

ABED: Samples are coming.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Some boats are Wednesday.

ABED: Wednesday, for sure?

CURRY: He's arrived at Hooked, an island seafood restaurant to prepare lunch.

ABED: I love cooking and I love making people happy. I think this is the two most important things that I love to do on the islands. We're making a

fish, white Chilean seabass with a cheddar broccoli, asparagus filling. When you cook those for those dishes it's really beautiful creating. You

don't have a routine. It's not every day the same thing. Every day cooking something new.

So, we are going to place the skin and, in the pan, you're going to hear this noise. This is what we need. Basically, we cook it for around a few

minutes. We're just going to make the skin a bit crispy. And then were going to finish them in a convection oven for eight minutes for 180 degrees

Celsius. Boom. That's it. It goes in. Now we're going to wait until the magic happens. Voila.

Hello, girls.

So, this is white Chilean seabass. Once you serve it to the guest and he's happy, it puts you in another world, to be honest. People would never

imagine this. It's literally paradise.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The chase led from the air.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, ON THE RADIO: Copy. On our way.

MCKENZIE: Capture teams at the radio. This is conservation on its absolute largest scale. A record relocation.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, ON THE RADIO: The other one --

MCKENZIE: Not just a single elephant. Entire herds.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[11:50:00] ANDERSON: Well beautiful creatures like the elephants you've just seen, growing rarer and rarer in their shrinking natural environment.

Now one of the most powerful countries in the world has just turned on them. The Chinese government legalizing the use of tiger and rhino parts

for medical purposes. As long as those animals are farmed. Wildlife experts are calling this a, quote, death warrant for endangered animals.

CNN's David McKenzie has reported on these endangered species up close and as we just saw, and he joins us now from Johannesburg. What's the Chinese

excuse here, David?

MCKENZIE: Well, Becky, they're saying they want to be pragmatic. They want to give the opportunity for trade in rhino horn and tiger bones for

medicinal purposes. But as you know, Becky, there's been no proof whatsoever that these products have any medicinal characteristics. And so,

the conservationists are saying this will provide a smokescreen for illegal trade pushed by poaching to enter the market. Any conservationist you talk

to says kill the demand to stop the supply. And in fact, it seems that China will increase the demand by this new policy, allowing this farmed

trade -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Well, World Wildlife Fund has just released a report saying animal numbers have plummeted by 60 percent in the past 50 years, all

thanks to humanity. Its expansion and those who can forget its pollution which is warping the natural environment there. Warning is that we are the

last generation who can save these creatures. You've done an awful lot of work in this field. What can people like you and me, like us, do to help?

MCKENZIE: Well, I think the major thing is lobbying for change. What needs to be done according to the World Wildlife Fund in the seminal

report, which says that we're sleepwalking towards the edge of a cliff. Because of the massive loss of animal species due to humans, pollution,

poaching, deforestation, encroachment of land and habitats. Becky, what people need to do if they want to make a change is to push for policy

change. World Wildlife Fund say they need the equivalent of the Paris accords on climate change to deal with animal and plant species which we

ultimately depend on for our survival.

The problem is the politics of this is such, if you saw how the Paris climate change all but collapsed because of the U.S. moving away from its

commitment, there's a real sense that the politicians in charge in various parts of the world aren't willing to take the long-term view on issues of

both climate change and species lost. And I think this report and the earlier report on climate change that came out a few weeks ago should be a

real wake-up call for everybody watching this report, as well as for policymakers --Becky.

ANDERSON: David McKenzie, out of Johannesburg this morning, starting off reporting on the story, of course, out of China, David, thank you.

Well of course, that's a big problem, but at the local level, people still do what they can and for your parting shots, a dramatic rescue story with a

quintessentially Australian twist for your parting shots tonight. When beachgoers in Melbourne saw a kangaroo drowning in the sea on Sunday, they

called the police. But when officers arrived at the sea, the spooked animal jumped right back into the water, sending two officers in hot

pursuit. Here is what happened next.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRIS RUSSO, SERGEANT, VICTORIA POLICE: He was OK. He was -- what kangaroos can do sometimes is go in the water to lure in an attacker to

drown dogs in the past. They use their feet and push the dog or other attacking animal and hold it under and drown it. We're not sure if it was

a preventative mechanism or if he was scared, but either way started to swim out. He swam out probably about 50 meters. It was a pretty blowy

day, very windy, waves were coming up. His head went under a couple times and started getting into trouble.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We brought him to shore and Chris actually took over with a number of compressions on his chest. We moved his lungs around a

little bit. We got him moving. He vomited up a lot of sea water which was a good sign and he started breathing again, which was fantastic.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[11:55:00] ANDERSON: Well the kangaroo has been sent to a wildlife shelter and is expected to make a full recovery.

I'm Becky Anderson. That was CONNECT THE WORLD. And that's what we've done this hour, we've connected you to your political world, your economic

world, your natural world. Thank you for watching. We leave you with pictures connecting you to your wet world from flooded Venice where the

canals spilled over, turning the marathon there almost into a swim meet. Good evening.

END