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CNN NEWSROOM

Trump Meets with Senator Who Blasted Him on Charlottesville; Sanders and Democratic Stars Unveil "Medicare for All" bill; Millionaire Opens Mansion to 70 Florida Foster Kids. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired September 13, 2017 - 15:30   ET

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


[15:30:00] BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN HOST: Moments ago, the White House announced President Trump will sign a joint resolution from Congress that condemns the racist violence in Charlottesville. The news come on the heels of his meeting with South Carolina's Senator Tim Scott. Here is view of the Republican from South Carolina leaving the White House a minute ago. Scott is the first African-American Senator to be elected in the South since Reconstruction. He's currently the only black Republican Senator. He questioned the president's, quote, moral authority after his controversial comments about the attack in Charlottesville last month.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. TIM SCOTT (D), SOUTH CAROLINA: What we want to see from our president is clarity and moral authority and that moral authority is compromised when Tuesday happens.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: But today Senator Scott said he was encouraged and pleasantly surprised after his meeting with Trump. The White House says the meeting was quote unquote very productive and focused on the future.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SARAH SANDERS, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: There are certainly conversations about adding additional personnel that can tap into the African-American community. That did come up.

A commitment to absolutely work with Senator Scott to do exactly that and for the two of them to continue to have those conversations for his viewpoints to continue to be expressed directly to the president.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[15:35:04] BALDWIN: With me now, the vice mayor of Charlottesville, Wes Bellamy. Mr. vice mayor, nice to have you on.

WES BELLAMY, VICE MAYOR, CHARLOTTESVILLE VIRGINIA: Thank you so much for having me.

BALDWIN: So, what do you think just first and for most before we get into some of the quotes that are coming out of Senator Scott, the fact that he's the guy to go to the White House to talk to the president about race?

BELLAMY: Right. Well, first, once again, thank you so much for having me on your show today. In regard to Senator Scott, I have very much mixed feelings in regard to him taking the meeting with 45 today. I do think that as we were listening to some of the comments in regard to the Press Secretary stating that the meeting was good and there's some action steps moving forward to specifically looking at how 45 and others will be addressing systemic issues within the African-American community.

I'm very interested in hearing what are the tangible steps that will be taking place moving forward. And furthermore, I want to know what is 45 going on the ground in terms of speaking to those whether they be in Charlottesville, whether it be in Atlanta, whether it be in Raleigh, North Carolina, or a place such as Little River or Atlantic Beach, South Carolina. What is he going to do to ensure that African Americans in other marginalized communities have equity throughout the country? Because the issue is not equality. The issue is equity. When we get into this whole victim blaming situation or saying there are bad sides or there's alt-left and all this other stuff, it takes away from real notion in which we are trying to address. And that is the issue of systemic oppression, dismantling white supremacy and also focusing on the issue of distribution of resources to provide an equitable and access for all individuals within our country, specifically African Americans.

BALDWIN: I want to come back to that in just a second. Let me just read if I may, a quote from the Senator. We got a little bit of a read out from him after this meeting. He said he was asked about whether or not you can change the president's behavior and his quote is this.

I'm a fellow that wants measurable progress in a reasonable amount of time. If you expect some sort of an epiphany or transformation to occur overnight just because somebody walks into a room, I think they don't understand human nature.

How hopeful are you hopeful are you, though, because I was just talking to April Ryan who had some sources that say perhaps, perhaps, they'd add some additional voices or personnel to the administration who would really have a close connection, be able to go to those communities you were just referencing to speak and then take it back to the president?

BELLAMY: Well, as my grandmother used to say, you know, actions speak louder than words. And the actions would be --

BALDWIN: Smart grandmother.

BELLAMY: -- Yes. I love my grandmother. I mean, she would always say that actions speak louder than words. So, what we're looking nor now is not what comes out of the talking points from the talking heads from the individuals who were in the meeting. I want to see what tangible action steps will be taking place moving forward.

Next week I've been invited to attend the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington D.C. I would love to see 45 accept an invitation or somehow participate and put tangible resources into an organization like that. When you see other organizations, national organizations like the 100 Black Men of Central Virginia or We Color Too or Color 24 to 2020 and different initiatives that are looking at actually doing tangible things to increase -- or excuse me, to decrease the divide of resources and looking at how we can up lift and empower marginalized communities.

I want to see is he going to put his time, his talents or treasures into organizations as such? Will he be making sure that those organizations have budget allotments? Will he be speaking to organizers or protesters on the ground? Those are the things that are going to show me that he is moving forward in the right direction, not just a quote from 45.

BALDWIN: Sure, all good questions. We should move back and see how the CBC event goes next week in Washington. But let me end with this, you were telling me this is something you are tweeting about this morning about Jemele Hill over at ESPN. As a sports host, she took to Twitter, series of tweets, calling the president a bigot and a white supremacist and apparently ESPN talked to her and released this short statement. Let me just read it for everyone else.

It said, the comments on Twitter from Jemele Hill regarding the President do not represent the position of ESPN. We have addressed this with Jemele and she recognizes her actions were inappropriate.

Adding to that Sarah Sanders was asked about it in the briefing, and she said, this should be a fireable offense. Now Jemele in one of her tweets referenced Charlottesville as evidence the President has empowered white supremacists. What's your response to this whole thing?

BELLAMY: I'm trying to find out with where queen Jemele told a lie. Because actions again speak the loudest. And one of the things that we oftentimes have issues with is that for marginalized communities we're always asked to be polite. We're always asked to compromise. We're always asked not to say certain things. While other individuals are allowed to say whatever they want. They can empower and embolden whoever they want whenever they want.

[15:40:00] I mean, let's think about a quote. Everyone wants to talk about Ms. Hill's tweets, but let's think about the leader of the Ku Klux Klan, David Duke literally said that they came to Charlottesville to fulfill the promise of their president. They came to take back what was theirs. So, when you look at these white supremacist groups who were not initially denounced, and yes, later 45 did denounced them, but then he came back and coined the term alt-left and try to make all these different excuses. I'm asking for people to put themselves into the shoes and see the perspectives of those who are marginalize, specifically the African-American community. When you have an individual, who is at the highest office of the high, who does not come out and what many of us do not speak up for you, so traditionally throughout history --

BALDWIN: Just quickly, Listen, I'm listening and I'm hanging on your every word. I think the only push back or perspective would be she is representing -- she is Jemele Hill of ESPN and it's one thing for her to say that amongst friends, but to on her official Twitter page was that the appropriate place? That's just the other argument.

BELLAMY: Does that neglect gate the fact that she's an African- American woman who has once went through an array of different things throughout her lifetime --

BALDWIN: Absolutely not.

BELLAMY: So, she should have the right to be able to say what she wants to say and the way in which Trump can attack any and whomever he wants to whenever he wants to. And you see these pundits do the same thing. But why a double standard for an African-American female who is using her platform to bring about an awareness. All the great things Jemele Hill has done and the empowerment of young African- American females and women as a whole. And which a role model she has been, does that go down the drain because she tweeted how several people feel about 45? I think not and I think the time for us to always compromise, always not say how we truly feel has to stop. Because in order for us to progress and if people want us to quote, unquote heel, then please understand and empathize why we feel this way. Let's get to the root cause of why people are saying these things, not just what they say.

BALDWIN: Vice Mayor, OK, that's why we had you on. Vice Mayor of Charleville, Virginia, Wes Bellamy.

BELLAMY: We pull no punches. Thank you.

BALDWIN: Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

Coming up, Senator Bernie Sanders just unveiled his Medicare for all plan. Details on that and the Democrats who are signing on for this. And dinner date with the Democrats. Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi to be precise. Both joining president Trump at the White House tonight. What CNN is learning about the topic of conversation next.

[15:45:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: We are following some breaking news in Spokane Washington where one student has been shot and killed at Freeman High School. A total of four people were shot, including the one who died. The other three patients have been taken to the hospital. They are all listed in stable condition and we've learn the suspect is now in custody.

Senator Bernie Sanders proving while his campaign may be over, his platform certainly is not. Just a short time ago the former Democratic presidential candidate announced his "Medicare for All" bill, which would ultimately provide universal health care after being phased out over four years. Senator Sanders went after Republicans for their attempt at an Obamacare replacement plan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I), VERMONT: You the Republican Party have shown the American people what you stand for when you voted for legislation that would throw up to 32 million Americans off of the health insurance they have and at the same time give huge tax breaks to the rich and large corporations. You the Republican Party have no credibility on the issue of health care.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: And just after Senator Sanders pushed the single-payer plan, Sarah Sanders, the White House Press Secretary said it was horrible.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SARAH SANDERS, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The president as well as the majority of the country knows that the single-payer system that the Democrats are proposing is a horrible idea. I can't think of anything worse than having government being more involved in your health care instead of less involved.

Not only does the president not support it, but America doesn't support it or Bernie Sanders would be silting in the oval office right now. He pushed these ideas forward during the campaign. They were rejected not just by America but Democrats. He didn't make it into the primary. He didn't make it into the oval. I think that's a pretty clear indication of what America wants to see and it's not a single-payer system.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: With me now CNN national politics reporter, MJ Lee. And she's right, he didn't win. This wasn't an idea that obviously went full throttle and I realize that he had a lot of very important Democrats sitting next to him.

MJ LEE, CNN NATIONAL POLITICS REPORTER: Right.

BALDWIN: Practically speaking, how does this even pass muster?

LEE: I mean, first of all, just to keep the political significance of this on the top of our minds, just keep in mind that for so many years now the default position for Democrats was simply to defend Obamacare, to make sure that Republicans would not be successful in sort of making dents in this law. That was president Obama's legacy law. But now that has shifted to quickly and so fast. Thanks largely in part to Bernie Sanders and the campaign that he ran in 2016. Now that litmus test for so many of these Democratic candidates heading into 2018, heading into 2020 is going to be do you support single-payer. And you made a really good point that you look at the people who are standing behind Bernie Sanders --

BALDWIN: 2020ers?

LEE: A number of the 2020 potential Democratic candidates standing behind him showing that they are behind this idea. But I will tell you that while is this has gained a lot of momentum among some of the liberal activists and that crowd among the Democratic Party, a lot of the folks, a lot of the Democratic leaders and more moderate Democrats are worried about this push. Because they know that in some of these house districts, in some of these states that might be more leaning red, might be more purple, this idea is not necessarily going to be that popular or that mainstream. So, they worry about what that might mean for their electoral success looking at 2018 and 2020.

[15:50:09] BALDWIN: OK, that's what Senator Sanders is up to today. For now, MJ, thank you so much. We'll see how it goes for 2018 or 2020. And a reminder -- Anderson Cooper sitting down with Hillary Clinton today. The full interview airs tonight, 8:00 eastern, only here on CNN.

Next, 70 foster kids find a shelter during the storm in the mansion of a Florida millionaire. He joins us live to share how this all came about and what is next for all these kids.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SAMUEL BURKE, CNN TECH, BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY CORRESPONDENT: So, this is what nearly $1,000 buys you for the iPhone X. One of the first things that you notice is that edge-to-edge screen. There is a little bit of a border, but they've stretched it way farther than they ever have before. And where you really notice the difference is really at the top and at the bottom. Before it had those black spaces right there. Now you can see on a picture like this, it really fills up the entire screen, even wrapping around up here where the camera and speaker are.

Another difference between the iPhone 10 and the less expensive iPhone 8, is facial recognition. That's how you'll unlock your phone now instead of using your thumbprint. That also means there's no home button. So, I've already found myself trying to reach for it to go to the home screen. You kind of have to retrain yourself when you want to do something like go home, you have this digital bar right there. You have to swipe up, and that takes you back to the home screen.

Now the facial recognition means that to do Apple paper, example, you have to face the phone instead of using your thumbprint. So, what does that mean if you're trying to unlock your phone at nighttime? There is a special infrared camera that will essentially light your face up so you can still use your face to unlock your phone even when it is dark out.

Now all of the new iPhone have wireless charging. So, instead of plugging in a cable you just set it on a dock. That's available on the 8, as well as the 10. The 10 will be available for preorder in October, actually delivering in November.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[15:55:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Showing medication. This guy's showing medication. Now he's letting them -- this guy's trying to get through with some medication. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No. You're going that way. Over to the side.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN BERMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Obvious frustration. Obvious frustration. People trying to get back to the Florida Keys. So many people did evacuate. Others did stay here, rode out the storm, now they are dealing with damage like you see behind me. This house just completely destroyed. This was a Florida-wide event though, a Florida-wide event though. A Florida wide event. I'm joined now by Marc Bell who is doing pretty well for himself. Pretty wealthy guy with a big giant house. What did he do with it? He opened up this house to dozens and dozens of foster kids who needed somewhere safe to stay during the storm. Marc joins me right now. Marc, tell me exactly how this went down.

MARC BELL, MILLIONAIRE WHO OPENED HOME TO FOSTER KIDS AFTER IRMA: We got a call on Monday at noon saying that a shelter lost its power and they had 70 foster kids in-house. And they needed a place to stay while they figured it out. I said send them on over. And what turned into what was supposed to be a few hours has now turned into a few days. And we've been thrilled to have them.

BERMAN: So, what you been doing for the last few days with your 70 new best friends?

BELL: With 70 new children, we've been feeding them, doing their laundry, activities. We've been very lucky to have amazing good friends who have come over and helped out. Lot of support from the community. Really taking care of these kids. We have a clown right now performing for them. We've had singers come in and sing with them. We've had people today do football and kick ball with them. It's been a fun-filled few days for them. They're making the best of the storm.

BERMAN: You seem to be making the best of it, too. What's it been like for you personally to have such a full house for this?

BELL: You know, we're very blessed and very lucky. And we're thrilled to be able to help the community and help these kids out. It's just been phenomenal. These are great kids who just have a little bit of bad luck and they're all delightful and wonderful. For us and all their friends it is just an eye-opening, beautiful experience.

BERMAN: Marc bell, thank you for what you've done. I'm sure those 70 kids are very grateful for the opportunity that you've given them. And the safety that you provided them these last few days I'm sure has made a giant difference in their lives. Thanks so much.

BELL: Thank you very much for having us.

BERMAN: So being down here in the Florida Keys, I can tell you one thing that people here want is communication. They want to reach the outside world. They want people to know that they're OK. And there's almost no way to do it. Anyone with a satellite phone ends up trying to help out. CNN, we have satellite phones. We've been trying to help people call out, call home, let their loved ones know they're OK whenever we can.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want to go home. I want to see my home. I want to see that we have a home.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can't believe that the water's still in the house. Can't even get in there yet.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My house where I pay taxes and I'm not allowed to get in here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I spent five days on the [ bleep ] road,

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's hot here and there's no electricity.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's nothing here, there's no gas, there a he no water, there a he no stores.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Looks like you had a crew with sledge hammers in here who were angry at somebody.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How are the kids? Are they, all right?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Watching the news and not knowing what's going on with your own house an everything, your life.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my god.

BERMAN: You haven't been able to talk to anybody.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John, want to let you know we're OK.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jess. I'm alive.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: "I'm alive." "We want to let you know we're OK, but we need help," the message down here from the Florida Keys.

CNN's special live coverage of the aftermath of hurricane Irma continues right now with "THE LEAD" and Jake Tapper.