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Secret Service Considering Renting One Floor in Trump Tower; Former Cuban Leader Fidel Castro Dies at Age 90; Hillary Clinton's Campaign Joins Green Party Candidate Jill Stein in Recount Efforts in Three Swing States; Aired 3-4p ET

Aired November 26, 2016 - 15:00   ET

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


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[15:00:00] PAMELA BROWN, CNN HOST: 3:00 eastern. I'm Pamela Brown in for Poppy Harlow on this Saturday. And you are live in the CNN NEWSROOM.

And we begin with the death of Fidel Castro at age 90. To some, he was a revolutionary hero, the father of modern Cuba. To others, he was a brutal tyrant who ruled the communist nation with an iron fist.

When Castro cease power in 1959, he released white doves signaling a new era of peace and prosperity in Cuba. Well, 57 years later, Castro's death is triggering two very different types of powerful reactions. Some are shedding tears of grief, others, tears of joy.

And Miami, the heart of the Cuban exile community, spontaneous celebrations erupted when the news broke as we see right here. Many there say Castro's death will close a dark chapter in Cuban history.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

Historic day for Cuban community in Miami. And we are just happy that we have hope now. It is the start from a new beginning now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: The mood in the Cuban capital, meanwhile, is quiet and somber. Many there are wondering about the political implications of Castro's death and what might come next.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The Cuban people is 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)

BROWN: Fidel Castro's body will be cremated today. And in accordance with his wishes, says his brother Raul Castro who took over Cuba's leadership in 2008. Fidel Castro held on to power longer than any other living national leader except Queen Elizabeth II.

And as mentioned, the mood in parts of Miami, Florida, is one of celebration.

(VIDEO CLIP PLAYING)

BROWN: This was the same last night in the city's little Havana neighborhood, the heart of the Cuban exile community. Hundreds marched through the streets chanting and waving the Cuban flag as we see in this video. One woman said Castro's death is a celebration of freedom.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, we are here because we are celebrating the freedom of Cuba. Because we believe that after this moment, many things are going to change in Cuba. And also we are not in social happiness because we are also celebrating all those people who have gave their lives and are not here today. My parents could not see this moment. For them, it would be a very happy moment.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: CNN correspondent, Ed Lavandera joins me now from little Havana.

So Ed, you have been there talking to the people on the streets in Miami. But let me get personal with you. Because your parents led the communist regime of Fidel Castro. What are they saying today about his death?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, I think it is a very complicated story. And really complicated by the fact that in many ways, Cuban exiles didn't expect the end to come like this. For many, many years, the Cuban exiles expected that the death of Fidel Castro would signal an immediate change. But many Cuban exiles, especially here in Miami, realize that is probably not going to be the case as they watch this day.

Like I was talking with one man who has been very involved in the protest movement against the Castro's regime for decades who described this as one of the first steps to bringing about real change to Cuba.

Quite a moment just unfolded here. There was a woman who had - they cleaned it up, a ceramic horse, Fidel's nickname for the longest time was (INAUDIBLE), the horse. She said she bought this horse, ceramic horse, 50 years ago and saved it for this day. She came just a while ago before we went on camera and she smashed it down here on the street. I mean, just completely that. But she bought the horse specifically for that.

We are joined by a man named Enrique Santos who, like myself, we have known each other quite a while. Parents, Cuban, grandparents, Cuban. He is a well-known D.J. here in the Miami community. Really well- known, because you prank called Fidel Castro, right. If you google that, it is one of those things that went viral to say the least, right.

ENRIQUE SANTOS, D.J., TU 94.9: It definitely went viral. LAVANDERA: When you see this, how do you explain it to people who

don't have a connection to the Cuban exile experience IN United States who in many ways are saying they are celebrating the death of a human being? What do you say to those people out there?

SANTOS: To me, personally, I'm here, not celebrating a death of the human being. I don't think we should ever celebrate the death of a human being. I'm celebrating the death of a dictator. And for the first time ever, I think we are able to see the Cuban exiled community on 8th street and Miami agreeing, right. Because normally, when we are watching CNN and you see -- I am proud of my Miami crowd right now because there is no fists being punched here. Nobody is pushing. Nobody is insulting. This is a -- it is a lovely community to get together.

And not just Cubans, I see people from Venezuela, from Chile, Mexicans that are here as well also that are united as Latinos, you know. They are not able to demonstrate in Cuba. But here, the exiled Cuban community exile, Latinos, are doing what Cuba cannot do.

[15:05:22] LAVANDERA: What do you think this means in terms of what happens next in Cuba? What do you think the people here -- we know what they want to see. What is the reality of what we are going to see?

SANTOS: Well, unfortunately, you don't want to be the bearer of bad news. But we all know the history. And the people that in-charge there from Raul down and everyone that surrounds him, they have their hands -- blood on same hands. So they are not, you know, we know there is not going to be any type of transition. Unfortunately, I don't think this is going to mean anything significantly, maybe not any time soon. But it is definitely hope. Hope that we can see a free and democratic Cuba in the very near future.

LAVANDERA: What is your family telling you?

SANTOS: I'm here with my mom. She is in (INAUDIBLE). It is so symbolic to be here, you know, because my grandparents, her parents have both passed away. And they weren't able to be here to see this moment. So I was at home watching everything going on. And I was kind of torn. Do I go to the radio station and broadcast? Do I come out and, you know, fire face with live, is going to talk to you and come to see the community? And I said my heart told me I had to be here and bring my mom out here, to be here presence what is going on to, you know, to be here joined in spirit with the Cubans in the island.

LAVANDERA: Very good. Thank you very much.

SANTOS: Thank you. Good to see you.

LAVANDERA: have a great afternoon.

SANTOS: Gracias.

LAVANDERA: So that's kind of really kind of captures the mood here as Enrique mentioned. This has been the site for decades and decades where Cuban exile have come and they debated, they argued, they contemplated with the future of U.S.-Cuban relations would be. And it was no doubt that on a day like this, where the chant you hear over and over again is (INAUDIBLE), at last this day has come.

BROWN: It is fascinating to see the dichotomy of people there on the streets, Little Havana, celebrating. And then people in Cuba, the quiet streets. We heard the one woman say that she is mourning his death. So we are going to dive a little bit deeper.

Ed Lavandera, thank you so much.

Let's talk it over with Florida congressman, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Republican and house permanent select committee on intelligence. Thank you so much for joining me on the phone.

Congresswoman, first off, Castro as I just said was such a polarizing figure. You say quote "a tyrant is dead and a new beginning can dawn. What do you have to say to Cubans who are mourning right now especially those in Havana who considered Castro an inspiration?

REP. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN (R), FLORIDA (on the phone): Well, I think those individuals in Havana or elsewhere in the island nation who are mourning his death do so outside of their home, because they don't want to be arrested. They don't want to be harassed. They don't want to be detained. They don't want to be exiled, which is what happens to anyone who disagrees with the Castro regime in any way, shape, or form.

In fact right now as we speak, Cuban dissidents are being rounded up as they always are to send a strong message to the Cuban population that there will be no dissent on these days.

And so, privately in their homes, these same individuals who probably are proclaiming to any press covering this in Cuba that they lament the loss of their leader, they are probably celebrating inside in the privacy of the home.

Fidel Castro was a tyrant. He was an evil dictator. And I think it is terrible that President Obama issued a statement offering condolences to the Castro family. What about condolences to the family members of those who Fidel Castro personally executed, because he did so. What about the family members of condolences to them who have been executed from the orders of Fidel Castro or the political dissidents who have been in jail or currently are in jail.

There are so many victims of Castro's tyranny. I represent a community made up largely of victims of Castro's tyranny. I was born in Cuba. I had to flee with my family when I was eight. We did not want to live in an oppressive communist dictatorship. So I can't believe that condolences are being bestowed on the family dictator with no mention being made a political dissidents who are still to this minute, to this second, being harassed and detained and imprisoned in Castro's Cuba.

And I say, yes, Castro has died. But remember that transition of power happened years ago where Fidel said to his baby brother, not too much younger than he, then you are the next dictator in-charge. They don't have election s in Cuba. They don't have political parties. They don't have dissent. They don't have free speech. And they run this as a freedom and yet the president and state department made no declaration acknowledging the grief that was brought upon by Castro's sadistic ambitions.

BROWN: And you point out, congresswoman that Fidel Castro handed the reins to his brother few years ago. His brother, Raul Castro, has said that he will step down in a couple of years. What is your hope for the future in Cuba? And how do you think that he will rule moving forward now that his brother has died? Do you think Raul Castro will continue the restrictive policies or do you think he will --?

[15:10:21] ROS-LEHTINEN: Absolutely. In fact, all he has got, he will continue the repressive actions. He will continue that kind of actions against all political dissidents, because why would he need to change? But I think that he is going to get a wakeup call when president-elect Trump takes over, because president-elect Trump has said, I'm going to roll back those concessions to the Castro regime unless there is freedom for the political prisoners and religious freedoms as well.

And we know Raul Castro has been ruling Cuba with an iron fist. What is the motivation for him to change? He wants to step out of power, he says, but not because they are going to have elections, not because they are going to choose their leaders. No, he will choose the next dictator in-chief. And that is how power is handed down in the Castro regime. People want to be free. It doesn't matter if you are Cuban or if you are Syrian, wherever you live --.

BROWN: OK. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, we do appreciate it. It sounds like we lost you there on the phone.

Ahead this hour, more reaction to Fidel Castro's death. We are going to take you live to the White House and to the incoming president's estate in Palm Beach.

Plus, the secret service could shell out a pretty penny to release space at Trump tower. Why the security set up there is raising some eyebrows.

And later, Jill Stein's recount efforts getting a big boost today and brand new reaction from Donald Trump who apparently doesn't think much of the effort.

You are live in the CNN NEWSROOM. And we will be right back.

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[15:15:17] BROWN: More on the death of Cuban Fidel Castro in just for a moment.

But first, there is this. Hillary Clinton's campaign said today it will take part in recount efforts in three swing states. The campaign joins Green Party candidate Jill Stein who raised millions to have votes counted again in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

To discuss this and the reaction from the White House and Trump's camp to Fidel Castro's death, I am joined now by CNN national correspondent Suzanne Malveaux in Washington and Ryan Nobles at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.

Thank you both for coming on.

Ryan, first to you, had just gotten brand new reaction from the Trump team. What do they say?

RYAN NOBLES, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Pam. I think the statement shows that the Trump campaign is taking this recount seriously. They are not just ignoring it as Donald Trump, the president-elect himself just releasing a statement to media. It says in part quote "the people have spoken. The election is over." Hillary Clinton herself said on election night, in addition to her conceding, by congratulating me saying quote "we must accept this result and then look to the future."

And then, Trump goes on to really draw most of his criticism at green party candidate, Jill Stein who is the person behind this effort. Stein is the one who raised millions of dollars online to be begin a recall process and formally filed the paperwork to make it a reality in Wisconsin. And Trump says in the statement quote "this recount is just away for Jill Stein who receive less than one percent of the vote overall and wasn't on the ballot in many states, to fill her coffers with money. Most of which will never even be spent on this ridiculous recount. All three states were won by large numbers of voters, especially Pennsylvania, which was won by more than 70,000 votes." He said this is a scam by the green party for an election that has already been conceded and the results of this election should be respected instead of being challenged and abused, which is exactly what Jill stein is doing.

Now, what's interesting about this, it is one thing for Jill Stein to take the step. But now, we also know that the Clinton campaign is going to get involved, at least on the periphery. They said that they will join in the work being done in this recount to make sure that it is done effectively and efficiently. (INAUDIBLE) who is a counsel for Hillary Clinton regarding election loses.

In a post today on medium that the Clinton campaign is taking steps to rule in or out the possibility of outside interference in this vote tally.

So Pamela, I mean, the Clinton campaign themselves has said that their initial review of this showed no evidence that there was any thought of outside interference. But now that the Stein campaign has taken this step, the Clinton campaign is going to join them to at least rule out any possibility -- Pam.

BROWN: And Suzanne, what is the White House saying about this call for a recount?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Pam, there are a couple of things that they want to emphasize. First of all, they still believe that Russia, at least tried, in part, to influence the election, that they did in fact ask or order hackers to do so. So they are not absolving Russia's role in all this. But they also believe that they were not effective in doing that.

I want to read a statement. This is from a senior administration official who I spoke with earlier today who told me that the federal government did not observe any increased level of malicious cyber- activity aimed at disrupting our electoral process on Election Day. As we have noted before, we remain confident the overall integrity of electoral infrastructure, a confidence that was borne out on Election Day. As a result, we believe our elections were free and fair from a cybersecurity perspective.

But Pam, what is interesting about the statement, they are not ruling out the possibility. I know it still has to play out whether or not there was any kind of voter fraud, whether or not they were machines, ballots that were not counted. They did not want to get into the details of that. They want that to simply play out and have the American people be confident in the election results. But when it comes to Russia and Russia's role in trying to alter this, they say that ultimately, they were not successful, Pam.

BROWN: And what is clear, is Russia wanted to cast doubt on our election system on our process which the White House had been talking about in the weeks leading up to the election.

Suzanne Malveaux and Ryan Nobles, thank you very much for your reporting there. We do appreciate it.

And up next on this Saturday, it has long been a landmark on the New York skyline. But now Trump tower has become the center of the political universe. Straight ahead, how secret service agents are keep teeing secure and who is paying the staggering price tag.

You are live in the CNN NEWSROOM. We will be back.

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[15:23:26] BROWN: CNN have learned the secret service is considering renting an entire floor from Trump tower to protect the president- elect and his family. Leasing the prime real estate comes with a huge price tag, however. The market rate is about $1.5 million a year on average.

CNN's Rachel Crane is right outside Trump tower now.

So Rachel, who would be responsible for putting the bill?

RACHEL CRANE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Pam, as usual, it would be taxpayer dollars that would go towards protecting the president. The unusual thing here is that Trump organization owns Trump tower behind me, meaning that if that floor of Trump tower is rented by the secret service, that money would be going back towards the Trump organization. Now we know that Donald Trump intends to hand over the reign of his

business to his children once he becomes president. We have more details on that. Here we go.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: They are fantastic people. So I want to thank the secret service.

CRANE (voice-over): 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 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 ten-year-old son, Baron, will continue to live in Trump tower. When asked about the timing of their move, Trump said this.

TRUMP: Very soon, right after he is finished with school.

[15:25:01] 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 is 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 Pam, the interesting thing is that this could actually be the cheaper option, renting this floor in Trump tower. Because the alternative would be the secret service renting hotel rooms in the area. And of course, being in mid-town Manhattan, hotel rooms are not cheap. And of course, Trump's security detail involves the NYPD. And sources tell us that a million-dollars a day is going towards keeping this area safe -- Pam.

BROWN: Yes. Certainly not cheap, protecting the president or president-elect.

Rachel Crane, thank you very much for that. We appreciate it.

And coming up on this Saturday, the Clinton campaign announcing they will take part in recount efforts in several key states. And Donald Trump now weighing in on the recount efforts.

You are live in the CNN NEWSROOM. And will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [15:29:33] BROWN: The Clinton campaign announcing it will take part in effort to push for vote recount in several key states. Green Party candidate Jill Stein has already filed for a recount in Wisconsin. But there is also a push to recount votes in Michigan and Pennsylvania after a group of computer scientists said they found possible evidence of hacking.

The Clinton campaign says it is not going to contest the results itself, rather, it want to quote "ensure that it is fair to all sides."

Let's talk about this. Joining me Symone Sanders, a CNN political commentator and Democratic strategist. She worked formerly with the Sanders campaign and supported Clinton in the general election. Also with us, Martha Kumar, director of the White House transition project.

Trump has just release this statement ladies - hello, there. Thank you for coming now.

Now I want to read a statement because it has just coming out in the last half an hour. So it says, the people have spoken, and the election is over and as Hillary Clinton herself said on election night, in addition to her conceding by congratulating me, we must accept this result and the look to the future. This is a scam by the Green Party for an election that has already been conceded and the results of this election should be respected instead of being of being challenged and abused.

So Symone, pretty strong word there from Donald Trump. As you recalled, Democrats were up in arms at the suggestion, the mere suggestion that Trump may not accept the election result if he were to lose. Are Clinton and others not doing the same thing by pushing for this recount?

[15:30:59] SYMONE SANDERS, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Absolutely not. No one has said that they are -- we are not accept the result of the election. Democrats haven't said that. And I don't believe the Clinton campaign has said that. What they are saying is there is evidence across the board that the Russians were tampering in our election process. We know from reporting from the fake news, all the way to hacking and the Democratic National Committee, and the Clinton campaign, personal email and others.

So this is just ensuring the integrity of the process. There is nothing questionable about a recount. No one is challenging the results just yet. This is just, you know, there are mechanisms for a recount and that is what Dr. Jill Stein is exploring. And the Clinton campaign is coming in to make sure it is done right.

BROWN: And on the note, I want to bring in Scottie Nell Hughes who is a Trump supporter. We now actually have her on the telephone.

So Scottie -- we have you in person there. I just want to ask you, on the wake of what we just heard Symone say that, you know, for the year and a half Trump claimed the election was rigged. He went to as far as to encourage his supporters to monitor polling stations as you recall Trump says. At all three states were won by large numbers.

But that is not necessary true. In Michigan, he was up by just 10,000. If there was a possibility that election systems may have been compromised or hacked and that votes were counted improperly, should that be investigated?

SCOTTIE NELL HUGHES, TRUMP SUPPORTER: Well, of course. But the difference between what Mr. Trump was saying for the last year and a half and what the Democrats and Jill Stein and the Green Party announcing are two different things.

What they are claiming somebody outside of the U.S. came in and hacked and changed votes forever. Mr. Trump was claiming was that it is a rigged system against him. You had the media that was against him. And then you had there at the polls actual votes happening that day. There could be polls or vote switching. It wouldn't have been an outside group coming in to the U.S. t alter elections.

There is a big difference between the two. And we are looking at nine of the 13 battleground states Mr. Trump won. If the Democrats want to spend more of their time right now doing this than trying to figuring out why their party lost, I'm all for it. Put your energy into this. I personally to take a step back. And why did they lose touch with these battleground state that should have been a historic thing for Hillary Clinton as well as all the other Democrats on the ballots that lost.

BROWN: Symone, does she have a point?

SANDERS: Well, actually, Hillary Clinton, I would like to remind everybody, he won the popular vote. She had now I think more than two million more votes than Mr. Trump. So the Democrats definitely did something right. The American people that did go to the polls overwhelmingly voted for Secretary Clinton. I think there a chance to take a look at The Electoral College.

Regardless, no one is questioning - no one is saying the election is rigged. What we are saying is there are folks that has said that there is - might be there are some evidence that perhaps our systems were tampered with. That is worth looking into. Both side, Democrats, Republican independents, and Green Party alike, should care about the integrity of our elections. And that is just what this is about.

BROWN: Just to be clear, there was no evidence that the systems were hacked that we know of. In fact, millions were raised, Scottie, and the people have spoken. And so, now we know that there has been one filing in Wisconsin. We are going to talk to Jill Stein coming up in the next hour. So everyone stay tuned for that.

But I want to switch gears and bring in Martha because I want to turn to you to what we just reported before the break, Martha, about the potential costs to protect Donald Trump and the first family. I learned from a law enforcement official that the secret service plans on potentially renting out a floor at Trump tower, which should be around about $1.5 million a year. And then you have the million- dollars a day to protect the family there in New York City. How does this compare to past presidents? Is this unusual, Martha?

MARTHA KUMAR, DIRECTOR, WHITE HOUSE TRANSITION PROJECT: I think that people want their president protected, no matter how much it costs. The thought of not having a president fully protected is just unthinkable. So whatever it takes and the secret service certainly knows its business. It knows how to protect a president. So I don't think anybody is going to quibble about how much it costs.

BROWN: Scottie, now, on that note, this is obviously a large price tag. As I pointed out earlier, it is expensive to protect a president-elect or president. But it does raise potential ethical concerns because Trump's company could potentially benefit from his own protection detail at the cost to taxpayers. What is your reaction to that?

[15:35:12] HUGHES: Well, I think, like the other guest just said, we are going to do whatever it takes to protect our president. It is obviously something that within the thought of the secret service. I am sure they have been preparing for months either way, whether Hillary Clinton was elected or Donald Trump was elected. If this is the best way to do it.

Now, as regard with actually the money going back into the Trump organization, you know, that is just -- it is all about keeping that person safe. Let's also remember, Hillary Clinton, we actually talked about how much money the secret service has had to pay for other past presidents in connection of paying money and renting. This is not the first time that money has gone back into the family for renting property. We saw that there was some property that was rented from the Clintons that they were able to pay. This is just the tradition. It is just a very large sum. And the amount is not like the Trump, I don't know if there is any ethical issues is going to say and we will give you a discount. But I think, you know, whatever it takes to protect the president, that's what all we need to do.

BROWN: And we do not know what negotiations are happening in terms of that.

But Symone, I do have to bring up the fact, you know, Scottie said, well this is tradition. You have Bush twins that went off to college while Bush served. Chelsea Clinton as well, they had to have secret service protection. How is that different from the secret service having to protect Trump's son while he is at school in New York?

SANDERS: I definitely think the president and the president-elect and the president-elect's family should be a top priority. It is the top priority for the secret service. I think it is the price tag that are raising issues. But no one knew, I don't think, that prior to the election that Melania Trump would not be moving to the White House. This is unprecedented. Again, none of this is normal.

So I think is this $1.5 million price tag for the taxpayers that is raising issues. And I think that's something that we have to talk about. That's an exorbitant amount at the cost of safety. But then one could argue that the safety of the president's family is priceless. KUMAR: Also, it is a dangerous world. Think how dangerous our world

is and how many threats there are and how many threats there have been against presidents. That's just something that I think that one doesn't want to really to question.

BROWN: For certain that the secret service has its work it out for them and making things more complicated. As one official told me yesterday is the fact that Trump tower is right there in Fifth Avenue, busy corridor, one of the busiest cities in the world.

But Martha, when you take a step back and look at how this transition has played out so far, is there anything in particular that stands out to you?

KUMAR: I think that the shift from campaigning to governing has certainly been -- is one that has been working pretty well, particularly in the area of appointments. He is ahead of his predecessors in appointments. But I think also it is a particular challenge when you make that move. And try to assemble a new team and do it in a very short period of time.

And so appointments, they have been doing well. On policy, you can see he is making the shift where you find that maybe not all of the ideas that you campaigned on are ones you want to govern on. And so, he has been adjusting the people's expectations in areas like immigration. His prosecuting, calling for the prosecution of Hillary Clinton.

So a lot of the very sharp edges from the campaign you see softening now as you approach governing. Because you are making the move of being the candidate of o party to being the president all the people. And so, you have to take into consideration all the different views that there are on these subjects.

BROWN: And it is fascinating too that he is willing to let in foes during the campaign trail into his cabinet. And we will have to see what happens about Mitt Romney. He, of course, there is speculation that he might be named secretary of state. We are waiting for that announcement.

Symone Sanders, Scottie Nell Hughes, Martha Kumar, thank you very much. We appreciate it.

And coming up on this Saturday, from Russia to Rome, how the world is reacting to the death of Fidel Castro.

You are live in the CNN NEWSROOM. And we will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:43:09] BROWN: Well, the death of Cuba's Fidel Castro is prompting reaction from leaders all around the world. Pope Francis sent a telegram to Castro's brother, Raul, quoting here "on receiving the sad news of the death of your dear brother, I express my sentiments of sorrow to your excellency and other family members of the deceased dignitary as well as to the people of this beloved nation." The leader of the EU tweeted, with the death of Fidel Castro, the

world has loss a man who was a hero for many.

And China's president said in a statement quote "the Chinese people have lost a close comrade and sincere friend."

And then this from Russian president Vladimir Putin, in a telegram sent to Castro's brother, Raul. Fidel Castro was a sincere and reliable friend of Russia.

We will have much more on the death of Fidel Castro, his legacy and controversial life in a few minutes.

But first, for a star ballerina, there is one place to get shoes that really keep you on your toes. Creative London has created footwear for the world's greatest dancers including Natalie Portman in the movie "Black Swan." In our new series, Artisans, CNN file caught up with one of their makers to discover the finer points of the point shoe.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Freed of London has been keeping the greatest ballerinas on their toes for over 80 years. Here in their east London factory, 11 artisans create 100,000 pairs of shoes every year. Two- thirds made to measure. Ray is a favorite among dancers in America including principles at the New York City ballet.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've never been to see a balance lie. If I did I would just be looking at the shoes on style, it must be a marvelous sight to see them comes to life.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The black of the toe is carefully build up with (INAUDIBLE) paper and glue before being oven baked to perfection. It is a recipe that has remained unchanged since 1929.

[15:45:09] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have to have a good eye, the shape of the shoe, the platform of the shoe. You can't really get back combination one. If not, then the dancer is going to have a hard time dancing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All of ballet shoes are hand-crafted, the stamp of the maker etched into each leather sole.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We want to do the best shoe as possible. (INAUDIBLE) perfect because that's the important thing for the dancers when she gets on the stage. That's is the last thing she wants to worry is the shoe.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:49:32] BROWN: We continue to look at the life and legacy of former Cuban leader, Fidel Castro who died last night at the age of 90. He sees control of Cuba in 1959 and became one of the longest ruling leaders in modern times.

The impact of his near half century in power depends on who you talk to.

CNN's Martin Savidge looks back at Castro's life and how he came to be one of the most reviled leaders in the west.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Depending on whom you talk to, Fidel Castro was a legend or a despised tyrannical dictator. There is little, little ground.

Castro came to power in 1959 in a widely popular revolution, overthrowing Cuba's then dictator Fulgencio Batista (ph). The new government quickly gain the recognition of the United States. But it wasn't long before the bearded rebel's left its ideology put him on a collision course with America. Especially when he allied himself with the Soviet Union. Seeing a new threat just 90 miles offshore, the U.S. decided to act.

[15:0:36] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have directed the armed forces --

SAVIDGE: First, launching a trade embargo followed by the failed CIA (INAUDIBLE) and several assassination attempts on Castro. All this while the Cuban leader allowed the Soviet Union to secretly built nuclear missile silos on the island, when they were rediscover by the U.S. in 1962, so called Cuban missile crisis while the world to the brink of nuclear war.

As Castro turned in more and more to socialism, thousands of his well to do Cubans fled the country. The millions left behind became part of this new social experiment, a one-party communist state, led by one man, himself.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): He imposed the idea that those who didn't like it could leave. He divided families.

SAVIDGE: Many saw positives. Education and health care for all, racial integration.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): What Fidel achieved in the social order of this country has not been achieved by any poor nation and by even rich countries, despite being submitted to enormous precious.

SAVIDGE: But critics say it came at a terrible cost.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): The dreams of freedoms that he had given the Cuban people were turned into the nightmare we live today, because we have a totalitarian regime in which all basic liberties have been abolished.

SAVIDGE: What Castro never manage to achieve was economic prosperity even with years of subsidies for the Soviet Union. For that, Castro always play in the United States and its embargo. But many blamed the man himself, pointing to his unwavering believe

and an outdated then inefficient socialist model. Castro had little tolerance for (INAUDIBLE). Opponents were often dismissed as traitors, imprisoned or exiled.

As more and more dissidents ended up under arrest, Castro became a target of international condemnation. But like so many times before, Castro never backed down, proudly defending his record on human rights.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): There hasn't been a single case of death squad here. Never has a person disappeared in Cuba which has been common practice .all over Latin America. So we feel proud of our clean record in relation to this problem.

SAVIDGE: Call it pride or selective reasoning, but Castro never lost faith in the revolution. Opponents can see Castro's popularity diminished as his beard grew wider. But his intelligence and shrewdness continued to demand fear and respect. He would eventually outlive many of his critics and outlast ten U.S. administrations.

In the end it was illness, not Washington, that forced him to retire. Passing Cuba's leadership to his younger brother Raul. In his last years, Castro appeared only occasionally, mostly in photos, looking frail. At times he tried to play the role of elder statesman. But more and more he simply seemed inconsequential.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): The Cuban government has been very agile. It is moved him from the scene. It would have been one thing if he abruptly died back on July 31st, 2006. Instead his image and importance has slowly faded.

SAVIDGE: Castro always insisted death was not something he feared.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I have never been afraid or concerned death. I have never been concerned about death. Do not feel attached to positions and not attached to that called power.

SAVIDGE: That latter statement seems ironic coming from a man who almost singlehandedly dictated over Cuba for nearly half a century.

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BROWN: And our thank you to CNN's Martin Savidge for that reporting there.

Right after the break, much more on the death of Cuba's Fidel Castro, one of the world's most infamous leaders. We are live from the center of the celebrations for Cuban-American dissidents, Miami's little Havana neighborhood.

And then later, the recount efforts in several key states that could upend the election. The Green Party's Jill Stein is pushing to the recount while President-elect Donald Trump calls her effort quote "ridiculous and a scam." I will ask Dr. Stein for her reaction after the break. You are live in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:58:41] BROWN: Well, voting is now under way for the CNN hero of the year. And one of this year's top 10 finalist uses outdoor adventure to help cancer patients to live beyond their diagnosis. Meet Brad Ludden.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Rivers are amazing teachers. I definitely learned a lot about what makes me happy and what I want to pursue and what I want to do each day.

The idea for first ascends came to me really when I was 18. That's why I started working on it. My aunt was diagnosed with cancer as a young adult. And that really affected my entire family, me included. A few years later I chose to continue pursuing kayaking professionally as opposed to going to college. And so, I came to this crossroad and realized that I wanted to find a way to give that sport, that experience of kayaking, back to other people who can benefit from it. And the natural choice for me was to give these people with cancer after what my aunt went through.

Young adults with cancer are definitely the most underserved population affected by the disease. And they are facing their own unique psycho social challenges. For all of these reasons and so many more, this population deserves attention.

You see it at the bottom of the rapids, and just right that look of accomplishment and pride on their faces. You can't teach that or give that to someone. It's something that you have to earn and this program seem to (INAUDIBLE) opportunity.

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BROWN: Top of the hour now. I'm Pamela Brown in for Poppy Harlow on this Saturday. And you are live in the CNN NEWSROOM.

And we begin with the death of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro --