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Questions Raised about Trump Foundation; Jack Kingston Talks Trump Foundation; Obama Speech in Philadelphia. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired September 13, 2016 - 13:30   ET

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


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:30:29] WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Looking at live pictures coming in from Clive, Iowa. Donald Trump, Republican nominee, getting to address a large crowd. Live coverage. Stand by.

In Philadelphia, meanwhile, another important event is about to take place. The president of the United States, President Barack Obama, he'll speak at that rally on behalf of Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee. Coverage of that as well. Stand by.

New questions being asked about the Donald John Trump Foundation, questions about the size of the foundation, where its money has come from, and how much Donald Trump has personally donated to that charitable foundation. It's in Trump's tax returns, if he were to release them. He has not released them pending an IRS audit.

Our senior investigative correspondent, Drew Griffin, joins us from New York right now.

What are we learning today about this charitable foundation, Drew?

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT: First, the charitable foundation unlike Donald Trump does have to release his taxes, Wolf. Where we're getting this information, from the Trump Foundation's open tax records. What they show, Donald Trump hasn't given any of his own money to this foundation that bears his name since his last an Asia donation in 2008. Before that, gave more than $2.7 million of his own money from 2001 to 2008. Where does the money come from currently? Well, his foundation gets money from many different places. But what's interesting is just how little of it there is, Wolf. Just $1.3 million in the latest tax returns. He's gotten money from NBC. The company gave him $500,000 back in 2012. A year earlier, Comedy Central donated $400,000 to the Trump Foundation. And in 2009, World Wrestling Entertainment gave $1 million. All of these, of course, entities that had business with him. In many cases, if not all the recent ones, though, he simply takes this money, Wolf, donated to his foundation, puts his name on it and gives it to people. So he uses other people's money to make these donations.

BLITZER: Who are they giving the money to?

GRIFFIN: It's pretty wide. The Trump Foundation, not very specific. It's even given money to the Clinton Foundation, which has been reported, but also $100,000, for instance, to Citizens United Foundation. That's the conservative political group whose president has just joined Trump's campaign. For two years, the Trump Foundation gave liberally to the Palm Beach Police Foundation. The group holds its policemen's ball at the Mar-A-Lago every winter. But, get this, Wolf, Trump's Mara-Largo actually charged the police foundation for using the ballroom. Not a small amount either. The foundation tax records show it paid you Trump more than $500,000 over the course of two years for two of the balls held there.

BLITZER: And Mike Pence, Donald Trump's running mate, said something we've heard before. That Trump has given tens of millions of dollars to various charitable causing. Is there any backup you've discovered? Any backup for that?

GRIFFIN: No, there's not, and we have been asking for quite a long time. This goes back months and months. The Trump campaign insists that a lot of his negative reporting about the Trump Foundation is just inaccurate. The statement they center last reiterates that Mike Pence said: "Mr. Trump donated tens of millions both through this foundation and otherwise." In addition it says, "Friends of Mr. Trump have generously donated to his foundation." That statement points out Trump doesn't get paid. And that Trump additionally "makes regular personal contributions to charities and causes of his choosing outside of the foundation."

Here's the problem. We can't really find much proof of that. Now, to be absolutely fair, Wolf, Donald Trump did give $1 million to the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation earlier this year. A veterans-related group. He also just did give $100,000 to a church in the hard-hit flood region of Baton Rouge. But tens of millions of dollars, we just don't see any proof -- Wolf?

BLITZER: Those contributions came from his personal account rather than that charitable foundation, the Donald J. Trump Foundation. Is that right?

GRIFFIN: Absolutely right. The first involved the vet charity event in Iowa. A lot of reporting pressure on him to tell where the money came from. We verified $1 million came from him. We just did get off the phone with the church down in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that said they indeed got a $100,000 check from Donald Trump, not the foundation.

[13:35:11] BLITZER: Interesting.

Thank you, Drew, for that great reporting.

For more on the questions about Donald Trump's charitable giving and other issues in the president's race, we bring in a senior adviser to the Trump campaign, former Georgia Republican Congressman, Jack Kingston, from New York.

Congressman, thanks for joining us.

JACK KINGSTON, SENIOR ADVISOR, DONALD TRUMP PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN & FORMER CONGRESSMAN: Hey, Wolf. It's great to be with you. BLITZER: You want to react to what we just heard from Drew in that

reporting? It's very similar to what "The "Washington Post" has been reporting as well, and they've done a thorough investigation of his charitable contributions over the years.

KINGSTON: Well, a couple of things, Wolf. Number one, Drew did say that Donald Trump has given to his foundation, and he has given money outside of the foundation, and those numbers are extremely high. I'm going out of memory here, but you may remember that when Joe Biden and Barack Obama disclosed what they had given to charity in 2008, I think Biden had only given something like $300. I'm not saying that is a fact right now, but my recollection. You may remember. It might be interesting to see how they donated to charity.

But the other thing is, in terms of disclosing what he has given, he's abided by the law. He has given millions of dollars to causes, and he is required by law to get income from other sources, because the Trump Foundation is a public charity, and that's a legal requirement, that they have.

But in terms of where the money comes from, and where is it going, we would lay down the Trump Foundation against the Clinton Foundation any day, because we're all scratching our head about the Clinton Foundation. I'm not saying sarcastically maybe Donald Trump's spouse should be secretary of state and the money would pour in from foreign countries, but, for goodness sakes, this is a private citizen and his charity, and I don't think he's trying to claim anything on it. This is something, you know, that is more media driven than him making claims that, vote for me because I've got the greatest charity in the world.

BLITZER: I just want to point out, in 2008, Joe Biden was a U.S. Senator. Barack Obama was a U.S. Senator. And their incomes were obviously significant, under $200,000 a year as a U.S. Senator, but certainly neither one of them were billionaires. Donald Trump says he's worth $10 billion, as you know. So somebody that's worth that much money should obviously be giving some of that money, a significant chunk of that money to charities. Right?

KINGSTON: Well, and I think he has done that and I think that's why charities pay close attention to Donald Trump and they like him. But point is, he still has given millions, which is what Drew has said, not just me, not the Trump folks, but he has given millions to charities and he going to continue to do so. He likes to support a lot of causes, which is what Drew also reported. I think that's very interesting.

But again, he's not saying that's the reason to vote for him. Donald Trump's talking about the economy, about national security. Tonight, he's talking about child care. He was also talking last week about education. So he's continuing to talk about the issues which people who are under-employed, looking for opportunities, they want to hear, and I think some of this, Wolf, sort of tends to be a side show.

BLITZER: I know that Mike Pence, your vice presidential running mate, he just released 10 years of his tax returns. Hillary Clinton I think has released 20 or 30 years of her tax returns. Donald Trump hasn't released any of his tax returns. Do you think -- he says it's under audit, but he could release some numbers. Wouldn't it be wise, given the fact the polls show a combined 62 percent of voters say it would be very important, or somewhat important, for the presidential candidate to release taxes? Would it be wise to release at least some of the numbers what percentage he was paying for taxes, how much charitable contribution he gave, that kind of basic information, that wouldn't violate audit rules if will you?

KINGSTON: Well, had e did disclose in May his financial disclosure which I believe --

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: But that didn't show what percentage of tax returns, how much charitable contributions he was donating.

KINGSTON: Well, but two points. It's a 104-page report. So it does go into some details in his finances. But the second thing, remember, you actually had an attorney on CNN, from Steptoe and Johnson, a tax return, who said if he was my client or under counsel, if he's saying don't disclose your tax returns during an audit, then I think that's what his situation is. He can't do it under advice of counsel right now.

[13:39:56] BLITZER: Congressman, I'll have you stand by.

You can see the president of the United States approaching the microphone. There he's in Philadelphia. His first solo trip in support of Hillary Clinton. He's working the crowd a little bit. We'll have live coverage of the president. Anxious to hear what he says about -- obviously, he'll praise Hillary Clinton and also presumably make some attacks against Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee. I want viewers to stay with us.

We're also standing by, Donald Trump is getting ready to speak in Iowa. We'll show that as well.

But let's listen in to the president right now.

(CHEERING)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Hello, Philly!

(CHEERING)

(CHANTING)

OBAMA: Hello, Philadelphia!

(CHEERING)

OBAMA: Oh, it is good to be back in Philly!

(CHEERING)

OBAMA: Can everybody, please, give Patrick a big round of applause for a great introduction?

(APPLAUSE)

Oh, it is good to be back on the campaign trail. Now, I understand -- I know I'm not the first person from the White House to come to Philly this week. Some of you may have seen Joe Biden at the Eagles game. He told me, Barack, you've got to get on the Wentz wagon. We got a new quarterback. We got hope in Philly.

And I had to explain, Joe, I am a Bears fan. And we play Philly next Monday night. So I've got to stick with my team, but I am going to go to Philly and scout out what all the fuss is about.

I also am here because you've got some of the best public servants in America. They work their heart out every day for you. You've got scrim's (ph) favorite son, in addition to Joe Biden. Senator Bob Casey, one of the best senators in the country. Your outstanding governor, Tom Wolf is here.

(APPLAUSE)

Your wonderful mayor, Jim Kenney is here. One of your outstanding members of the House of Representatives, Bob Brady, is in the house. Your candidate for the United States Senate, this is a special woman. She is going to do a great job. Katie McGinty's here.

(APPLAUSE)

And your candidate for attorney general, and old friend of mine, somebody who was with me early, early, early on, Josh Shapiro. Give Josh a big round of applause.

Now, I love you too, but we've got some business to do here, so, we've got some business to do. This will be -- this is going to be one of the last times I visit Philly as president. And so my first order of business is to say thank you, for all the support you've given me all these years. And I've got incredible memories here in Philly, most recently, at the Democratic National Convention.

And I could not be prouder of the leaders that we have nominated to take my place. So even though I've run my last campaign, I am going to work as hard as I can this fall to elect Hillary Clinton as our next president of the United States of America.

(APPLAUSE)

Hillary.

Now, in election season, you will often hear crazy stuff. But I've got to say, this year, we've been hearing a little more crazy than usual.

Having said that, after almost two terms as your president, I am here to tell you, I am more optimistic about our future than I have ever been. Look, because I've seen an America, that for all the challenges, for all the noise of the politics, still has the capacity to come together and do great things. You think about it; we fought our way back from the worse recession in 80 years.

We turned around a declining economy, we helped out auto industry set new records, our businesses created 15 million new jobs, slashed our dependence on foreign oil, doubled our production of clean energy, made marriage equality a reality in all 50 states. We brought more of our troops home to their families, we delivered justice to Osama Bin Laden.

Through diplomacy rather than war, we shut down Iran's nuclear program. Opened up a new chapter with the people of Cuba, brought nearly 200 nations together around a climate agreement that could save this planet for our kids and our grandkids; that's what we've done. By so many measures, America is stronger and more prosperous than when we started out on this journey together.

In fact, some of you may have saw there was a new report out just today showing that last year across every age, every race in America, incomes rose and the poverty rate fell. In fact, the typical household income of Americans rose by $2,800, which is the single biggest one-year increase on record. We lifted 3.5 million people out of poverty; that's the largest one-year drop in poverty since 1968.

The uninsured rate is the lowest it has been since they kept records. The pay gap between men and women shrank to the lowest level ever. So, now, let's face it; the Republicans don't like to hear good news right now.

But it's important just to understand this is a big deal; more Americans are working, more have health insurance, incomes are rising, poverty is falling, and gas is $2.00 a gallon. I don't even - thank you for reminding me. Thanks, Obama.

So the steps that we had been taking over these years, they're paying off. We've shown that progress is possible. And of course, none of this was easy. We knew all along that change wasn't going to be quick, we knew that we wouldn't meet all of our challenges in one term or even in one presidency, but we're here today because we know we've got more work to do for every worker who still needs a good job.

For every worker who still needs a raise or a decent retirement. For every child who still needs a world-class education as a ladder out of poverty. For every family who hasn't yet felt progress these past eight years, we've got more work to do - we know that. And the choice that you make, that we make, just eight weeks from today will determine the direction of this country for a long time.

And I've already said this; this is not a choice - this is not the usual choice between parties and policies and left and right. This is more fundamental. This is a fundamental choice about who we are as a people. This is a choice about the very meaning of America.

You know, Democrats and Republicans - we've always had our differences, there's nothing wrong with that. That's how the country moves forward, right? We had debates, different ideas, compete. We see what's going to make us work. But what we've seen from the other side in this election - this isn't Abraham Lincoln's Republican Party. This isn't even division of freedom that Ronald Reagan talked about.

This is a dark, pessimistic vision of a country where we turn against each other. We turn away from the rest of the world.

They're not offering serious solutions they're just fanning resentment, and blame, and anger, and hate. And that is not the America we know, that's not the America I know. The America I know is full of courage and optimism and generosity and ingenuity and innovation.

Yes we've got real concerns, we worry about paying the bills, we worry about protecting our kids, we worry about caring for a sick parent. Lord knows we get frustrated about Washington and all the gridlock. We worry about racial division. There are pockets of America that never fully recovered from the factories closing down. There are parents who are worrying about whether their kids are going to have the same opportunities they had.

But look I've travelled in every state and I've seen more than anything all that is good and right about America. I see people working hard I see folks starting businesses I see teachers just digging in their own pockets to buy school materials and teaching kids just because they love kids.

I see men and women in uniform serving their country making incredible sacrifices. I see engineers inventing new stuff and doctors coming up with new cures, and most of all I see this younger generation that is so full of energy and ideas and aren't going to be held back by the old ideas. Imagine what can be instead of just what is.

And I see American's of every party and every background and every faith who ultimately believe we're stronger together, all of us, young, old, men, women, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, folks with disabilities, all pledging allegiance to the same proud flag. That is the America I know.

That's the America you know and believe in. And there is just one candidate in this race who's devoted her life to building that America. A mother and a grandmother who would do anything to help our children do better, a leader who's got real plans to break down barriers and blast through glass ceilings and widen opportunity for every single American, the next President of the United States, Hillary Clinton.

AUDIENCE: Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!

OBAMA: Hillary.

AUDIENCE: Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!

OBAMA: Now look, look can I just say I am really into electing Hillary Clinton. Like this not me going through the motions here. I really, really, really want to elect Hillary Clinton. And

sometimes folks they're kind of surprised by that because they remember man you guys had a tough fight eight years ago. And it was tough, because Hillary's tough, every time I thought I had that race won, I was like going up the Rocky Steps, I was about to celebrate and then I looked and she's right there.

And I got whooped here in Pennsylvania. She whooped me. But you did make it up to me in November when I won. But I have seen what she could accomplish. I've seen how smart and savvy and tough she was.

So I asked her, I said join my team. And she wasn't sure about it at first. But she ultimately knew that what was at stake was bigger than either of us. That's the kind of patriot she is. And so for four years, I had a front row seat, I watched her intelligence, I watched her judgment, I watched her discipline.

I saw her in the Situation Room where she argued in favor of the mission for Bin Laden. I watched her pursue diplomacy to open up new partnerships, to help promote Democracy, to help reduce the nuclear threat. And she worked hard, tirelessly, flying around the world again and again. I don't know how many times she lapped the world but she went around a long time. Because she had never forgotten what she was fighting for.

To make sure every child has the same opportunities as her granddaughter and her daughters and your kids. And if there's one thing I can tell you, Philadelphia, nobody fully understands the demands of my job, this job of the president, until you actually sit behind that desk.

Look, I didn't understand it before I had the job. You think you do --

AUDIENCE: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

OBAMA: No, no, I appreciate that, but I'm not gone yet, so save the thank you's. I'm not finished yet. I've got a few more months. Listen, what you come to realize when you're in this job is, anybody can pop up. Anybody can fire off a tweet. Everybody's a critic. But that doesn't mean you know what it's like to manage a global crisis. You don't know what it's like to send a group of young people to war knowing some won't come back.

But the closest you can come to understanding what it's like is to be where Hillary has been. To have been part of those decisions. She knows what it means for working families and senior citizens and small business owners and soldiers and veterans when we make policy in the White House. And in the middle of crises, she'll listen to people and she will keep her cool and she treats everybody with respect.

And no matter how daunting the odds, no matter how many times people knock her down and mess with her, she does not quit. She doesn't quit. She doesn't quit. That's the Hillary that I know. And that's why I really want to get her elected. That's the Hillary I've come to admire. I believe there has never been a man or a woman more qualified

than Hillary Clinton to serve as our president.

Now, Hillary actually has plans to address the things that she's heard from you on the campaign trail. Specific ideas to invest in new jobs and to help workers share in their companies' profits and to help put kids in preschool so they get a good start, and to put students through college without taking on a mountain of debt.

And I know that these days, in campaigns, sometimes the plans get ignored, but they're there. And they make sense, and they add up. And then there's the other guy, Donald Trump.

(AUDIENCE BOOS)

Don't boo. Vote. Don't boo. Vote. Booing is easy. I need you to vote. Look, let's talk about Mr. Trump. He's not really a plans guy, a fact guy. He calls himself a business guy, but America has got a lot of business men and women who succeeded without hiding their tax returns or leaving a trail of lawsuits, workers who didn't get paid, people feeling like they got cheated.

I mean, look. I keep on reading this analysis that, well, you know, Trump's got support from like working folks. Really? This is the guy you want to be championing working people? This guy who spent 70 years on this earth showing no concern for working people -- this guy's suddenly going to be your champion?

I mean, he spent most of his life trying to stay as far away from working people as he could. And now this guy is going to be the champion of working people? He wasn't going to let you on his golf course. He wasn't going to let you buy in his condo. And now suddenly this guy is going to be your champion? So yes, if you oppose raising the minimum wage...

[14:00:00]