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Fidel Castro Dies; Changing Cuban-American Relations Under President Obama Examined; Possible Conflict of Interests Questions Arise when Secret Service Proposes Renting Floor of Trump Tower. Aired 2-230p ET

Aired November 26, 2016 - 14:00   ET

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


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro is dead at the age of 90. And reactions are pouring in from around the world. In Havana, some of Castro's supporters are in mourning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The Cuban people are feeling sad because of the loss of our commander in chief Fidel Castro. And we wish him, wherever he is, that he is blessed. And us Cubans love him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Reporter: In Miami, the heart of the Cuban exile community, celebrations broke out in the streets. Some saying Castro's death will close a dark chapter of Cuba's history.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We are here because we are celebrating the prayer of Cuba, because we believe after this moment many things are going to change in Cuba.

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WHITFIELD: Let's bring in CNN's Ed Lavandera. So Ed, the crowd is still very full there. What more are people saying?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, people have been pouring out into the streets here in the heart of Little Havana since around midnight last night when the news of Fidel Castro's death was first announced. The streets here have been festive to say the least. Many people here essentially celebrating the death of Fidel Castro.

And just a little while ago, Gloria Estefan, the famous singer, a Cuban exile as well, said, "Although the death of a human being is rarely cause for celebration," she tried to explain exactly why these people out here are celebrating today. She says, "Although the grip of Castro's regime will not loosen overnight, the demise of a leader that oversaw the annihilation of those with an opposing view, the indiscriminate jailing of innocents, the separation of families, the censure of his people's freedom to speak, state sanctioned terrorism, and the economic destruction of a once thriving and successful country can only lead to positive change for the Cuban people and our world." Although many people here in the heart of Little Havana know that

Fidel Castro's death will not have an immediate impact on life in Cuba, many people here, Fredricka, see it as the beginning of the possibility of bringing democratic change to the communist island. And that is what they want to see here.

Although many people also tell you that until Raul Castro is no longer in power or has also died, that those changes that they have been wanting to see here for decades aren't likely to come about. But here in the heart of Little Havana, this is Southwest 8th Street, here in the Little Havana, this is the Versailles restaurant where for decades Cuban exiles have gathered here just outside the coffee stand there. They debated the politics of the day, whether it be U.S. or Cuban politics. But everyone knew full well that on this day when this announcement was finally made, that people would be pouring into the streets and this would be the gathering spot for Cuban exiles to show the emotional outpouring they have endured and held on to for so many decades. Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: All right, Ed Lavandera there in Little Havana, Miami, thank you so much.

So this morning, both President Obama and president-elect Trump issued written statements on the death of Fidel Castro. CNN's national correspondent Ryan Nobles is in Palm Beach, Florida, and CNN's Suzanne Malveaux is there at the White House. So Ryan, let me begin with you. What more is being said from the president-elect?

RYAN NOBLES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Both the president-elect and the vice president-elect Mike Pence both weighing in on the death of Fidel Castro. And president-elect Trump, not too much of a surprise, did not have many kind things to say about Fidel Castro. He called him a tyrant. And he also said that, quote, "while Cuba remains a totalitarian island, it is my hope that today marks a move away from the horrors that were endured for far too long and toward a future in which the wonderful Cuban people finally live in the freedom they so richly deserve.

And of course many will now wonder what happens in the Cuban-American relationship once Trump takes over. He's been largely critical of President Obama's deal to negotiate more of a normalized relationship between the United States and Cuba, but he is not necessarily closed off to the idea complete. He just thinks there needs to be a better deal.

Mike Pence, the vice-president elect, he also weighed in not too long ago. He did it via Twitter. And he said, quote, "The tyrant, Castro, is dead. New hope dawns. We will stand with the oppressed Cuban people for a free and democratic Cuba. Viva Cuba libre." So both Donald Trump and Mike Pence weighing in. And of course, Fredricka, many wonder what the next step will be with the United States and Cuba once the Trump administration takes office.

WHITFIELD: Ryan, thanks so much.

Suzanne, to you, too. President Obama of course wanting to know what will be made of his legacy as it pertains to the warmth between the U.S. and Cuba. What now?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, the Obama administration is very much invested in preserving his legacy.

[14:05:01] This is one of the key foreign policy achievements that the president is very proud of, really historic, and he wants to preserve that. The president very measured in his tone in a statement this morning, saying "For nearly six decades, the relationship between the United States and Cuba was marked by discord and profound political disagreements. During my presidency we have worked hard to put the past behind us, pursuing the future which the relationship between our two countries is defined not by our differences but by the many things that we share as neighbors and friends, bonds of family, culture, commerce and common humanity."

And Fred, this is one of the things the administration is emphasizing through the easing of those restrictions, those executive orders, people to people contact which they believe through direct mail or through direct flights that they can actually improve the lives of Cubans there to allow them their cultural political social freedoms.

Secretary of State John Kerry, echoing the same type of tone, saying "We extend our condolences to the Cuban people today as they mourn the passing of Fidel Castro. Over more than a half a century, he played an outsized role in their lives and influenced the direction of regional and even global affairs."

It is interesting, Fred, to hear this kind of language, an outsized role there, really trying to very deliberately take away the emotional sting in this argument and in this tribute, if you will, this recognition of Fidel Castro as angering quite a number of members of Congress, including Senator Marco Rubio from Florida, putting out this tweet, saying that "President Obama issued a pathetic statement on the death of dictator Fidel Castro with no mention of thousands he killed and imprisoned." So Fred, this is still very hot. It is a very emotional issue. It will be the Republican Congress that will determines whether or not the U.S. embargo of Cuba stays in place. Very likely that it will, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right, Suzanne Malveaux, Ryan Nobles, thank you so much, appreciate it.

Next, conservative talk radio host Neal Boortz joins me live. He called Fidel Castro a murdering dictator after hearing of his death. We will get his take on the future of American/Cuba relationships.

And the news today that the Hillary Clinton campaign is joining efforts to push for recounts in several states. Stay with us.

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[14:10:52] WHITFIELD: A deepening divide over the U.S.-Cuban relationships following Fidel Castro's death. Democrats and the White House are sounding a diplomatic tone while several prominent Republicans are saying the U.S. never should have reopened relations with Cuba. Former conservative talk show host Neal Boortz tweeted this. "He was a murdering dictator. He wanted Americans to die in a USSR nuclear attack." Neal Boortz joins me right now. Good to see you.

NEAL BOORTZ, NATIONAL RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Wait a minute. Nobody told me that tweet was going to be read on CNN.

WHITFIELD: What do you mean? When you tweet something it has a life of its own, right?

BOORTZ: I'm an old retired guy from Florida.

WHITFIELD: Are you changing your idea about your tweet?

BOORTZ: Not a bit.

WHITFIELD: OK. So let's talk about this.

BOORTZ: I saw another tweet this morning. I saw a couple of them, one of them from a lady named Mary Katharine Ham who said this is going to be a rough time for moral clarity. And another one that said "He invigorated the nation and restored sovereignty." Then it said, "But enough about Hitler." Castro was nobody to be admired. It takes nothing to go into the photographic archives and see the people that didn't exactly like him lined up against the wall and shot. He was a murderous dictator and not deserving of any accolades at all at this point. OK, they have literacy in Cuba, but they can't read what they want to.

WHITFIELD: So with his death, how do you see the potential of Cuba moving forward? Do you believe that his death is in any way going to symbolize an opportunity or create hope?

BOORTZ: Yes.

WHITFIELD: OK. In what form?

BOORTZ: I think that Raul Castro, who has already seen some of the benefits of the limited amount of capitalism that they have in Cuba, now after the 90-day mandatory, in Cuba, period of mourning, he will probably say we need to lighten it up a little bit more. We need to lighten it up a little bit more. Soon all the '57 Chevys will be in museums there and maybe they will actually be able to buy new cars. I think that the way for Cuba is up now.

WHITFIELD: How do you see president-elect Trump playing a role in that?

BOORTZ: The last thing I ever want to do is try to guess what Donald Trump is going to do on any issue at all. I hope, I hope he realizes and recognizes the drive for, the desire for freedom that these people in Cuba have, and looking around the Caribbean knowing that there are other people in similar circumstances that under different leadership are leading much better lives that they would like to pursue. It is a country rich in natural resources, great tourism capabilities. They would love to see these cruise ships flooding into Havana harbor and all of the business and the economic growth that would bring. They are going to have to wait. It is not going to be instantaneous. I hope Trump understand their desires and try to feed that.

WHITFIELD: How do you suppose president-elect Trump's selection.

BOORTZ: Do you have a hard time saying that?

WHITFIELD: How do you suppose the next secretary of state might facilitate those things, whether it is the cruise ships you speak of or helping Cuba be able to grant more freedoms to its people there? How do you see the next secretary of state being an instrument of that?

BOORTZ: Of all the things I didn't like about Obama, one thing I did is trying to open things up with Cuba. I remember a teacher in seventh grade this said the best way to get rid of an enemy is to make a friend out of him. And that's the best way to handle Cuba.

[14:15:00] WHITFIELD: So you like the idea of continued conversations, dialogue?

BOORTZ: Absolutely. Make a friend out of Cuba. Make a friend out of the Cuban people. You can't -- people that run around with clinched fists are very, very difficult to shake hands with.

WHITFIELD: So as it pertains to the secretaries of state, as we see the names right now being bounced around, Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, Dana Rohrabacher, do you see any of those three, one of those as a better fit as a secretary of state?

BOORTZ: I think all of them could do it. The first step that has to be done, I think, me, a diplomat, you know me. I am no diplomat. But the reports are that even right now, since the announcement was made less than 24 hours ago, right now, they're rounding up and imprisoning dissidents in Cuba under the fear that they are going to instigate something.

WHITFIELD: It is difficult to verify reporting.

BOORTZ: There are reports. The first thing is, communicate what Cubans say, that's not really the way you should be reacting right now.

WHITFIELD: Neal Boortz, always good to see you. Thanks so much.

BOORTZ: Thanks for having me down.

WHITFIELD: Coming up Trump Tower, it is one of the world's best known addresses. And that's presenting huge security issues now. Rachel Crane joins me from New York.

RACHEL CRANE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The Secret Service considering renting an entire floor in Trump Tower, the potential cost to taxpayers coming up after the break.

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[14:20:33] WHITFIELD: Protecting president-elect Donald Trump in the middle of Manhattan has been a rather daunting and costly challenge. In fact just last night the NYPD has said they arrested an apparently delusional man trying to enter Trump Tower and they whisked him away for psychiatric evaluation. So security efforts have been quite the challenge, and people who have businesses there, people who live there, they have their own sentiment. Let's check in with our Rachel Crane in New York. So Rachel, these are rather unique challenges, but what potentially could be next?

CRANE: Well, Fred, what's interesting here is that the Secret Service is considering renting an entire floor of Trump Tower. And the cost to taxpayers would be $1.5 million. The interesting thing, though, is Trump Organization owns Trump Tower. We know that Donald Trump intends to hand over the Trump Organization to his children when he becomes president. The details of that, here they are.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TRUMP: They are fantastic people, so I want to thank the Secret Service.

CRANE: And 725 Fifth Avenue, also known as Trump Tower, might be getting a new tenant, the Secret Service. A law enforcement official tells CNN that the Secret Service is considering renting a whole floor of the famed tower in order to establish a 24/7 command post ensuring the safety of the future first family who won't all be moving to the White House in January. Melania and their 10-year-old son, Barron, will continue to live in Trump Tower. When asked about the timing of their mood, Trump said this.

TRUMP: Very soon right after he finishes school.

CRANE: Regardless of when they relocate, the command post at Trump Tower won't be cheap. The going price for the space, around $1.5 million per year. The price tag is striking, but it's not just the cost that's raising eyebrows. The Trump Organization owns Trump Tower, so taxpayers would be paying the president-elect for his own security.

Officials tell CNN security plans are still evolving since many things are up in the air, like when the future first family will move to the White House and how often the president-elect plans to visit them in the meantime.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CRANE: And Fred, believe it or not, this could actually be the cheaper option, renting the floor here at Trump Tower for $1.5 million, because the alternative would be the Secret Service renting hotel rooms in the area. This of course being in midtown Manhattan, hotels are not cheap. Trump's security detail, also, of course, includes the NYPD. Sources tell us that the NYPD presence here at Trump Tower is costing $1 million a day, Fred.

WHITFIELD: And then what are business owners and residents in the area telling you? CRANE: Well, it is really the small businesses in the area that are

being severely impacted, that don't have the brand name like Prada, Tiffany, Gucci. CNN spoke to one small business owner who says that he has lost about 25 percent of his business since the election and since Trump has won the presidency because he can't get certain deliveries. The foot traffic is not what it used to be. So Fred, certainly small businesses in the area are hurting because of Trump's presence here at Trump Tower.

WHITFIELD: Rachel Crane, thanks so much in midtown Manhattan, appreciate it.

A look at our top stories now. A French prosecutor says five suspects who have pledged their enter allegiance to ISIS are in custody. They have been charged with conspiring to commit a terrorist act. The suspects were first arrested in police raids last weekend.

And the first memorials and funerals are taking place this weekend for victims of the catastrophic school bus crash in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The crash happened Monday when the bus driver slammed into a tree, splitting the bus in half, killing six children. The driver, john Anthony Walker, has been charged with vehicular homicide.

And in North Dakota, the Army Corps of Engineers has issued an ultimatum to pipeline protesters. They must either vacate the property near the Cannonball River by December 5th or face arrest. Protestors say the Dakota Access Pipeline will threaten the environment and destroy Native American artifacts.

[14:25:03] And the case of a California woman who disappeared three weeks ago while jogging and was later found alive is still under investigation. Sherri Papini was reunited with family on Thanksgiving Day after flagging a car about 140 miles from where she was last seen. The woman says she was later released by her captor. There are still no clear motives on her reported abduction.

That's going to do it for me. Thank you so much for being with me today. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Much more on the CNN Newsroom straight ahead with Pamela Brown at the top of the hour.

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WHITFIELD: More newsroom at the top of the hour as the world reacts to the death of Fidel Castro. Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes us inside Havana for a closer look at Cuba's health care system. "Vital Signs" starts right now.