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EARLY START

Historic Summit Countdown in Singapore; High Tension at G7 Summit; U.S. Service Member Killed in Somalia Identified; Italy Ports Closed; Justify Wins Triple Crown; John Lasseter Leaving Disney; Eminem Responds To Backlash; Standing Ovation at the Tony Awards for Stoneman Douglas Students; Amazon Criticized on China Factory Working Conditions. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired June 11, 2018 - 04:30   ET

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


[04:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's a one-time shot and I think it's going to work out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DAVE BRIGGS, EARLY START SHOW CO-HOST: President Trump preparing for the summit in Singapore. What no U.S. president has ever done, and that's to meet face-to-face with a North Korean leader.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, EARLY START SHOW CO-HOST: President Trump's digging in his heels on trade after a rocky weekend at the G7. Why he is isolating himself from U.S. allies and the global reaction. What a way to start a week folks. Welcome back to "Early Start." I'm Christine Romans.

BRIGGS: I'm Dave Briggs. It's 4:30 eastern, 4:30 p.m. in Singapore. We are live there shortly. We are also live in Moscow and in Berlin with reaction to the president's move at the G7.

But we start in Singapore where they are putting on the final preparations for the summit. President Trump is getting ready to do something no U.S. president has done, and just hours, he will meet face to face with the leader of North Korea. It is late afternoon in Singapore and has been a busy day there.

President Trump met with Singapore's prime minister and other government officials for a working lunch. The president joined by top aides and members of his cabinet including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Chief of Staff John Kelly and National Security Adviser John Bolton.

ROMANS: President Trump is insisting this is a one-time shot for Kim Jong-un to achieve peace and prosperity for his people.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: I think within the first minute I'll know. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How?

TRUMP: Just my touch, my feel. That's what. That's what I do. I think I'll know pretty quickly whether or not in my opinion something positive will happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: North Korean state media reporting Kim is open to discussing denuclearization and durable peacekeeping on the Korean Peninsula. I'm sure we'd have to really define that because every party probably has a different idea of what durable peacekeeping would look like there. For the latest, let's go live to CNN's Paula Hancocks. She is in Singapore. Durable peacekeeping is in the eye of the beholder, I would assume.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Christine. We're hearing from the North Koreans that they are going to be talking about denuclearization. They are also going to be talking about this peacekeeping mechanism. Now, are they alluding to the fact they want a peace treaty. We know the North Koreans want a peace treaty on the Korean Peninsula. But we've also have been seeing this flurry of diplomatic activity here, just the U.S. ambassador, Sung Kim, meeting with his North Korean counterparts.

They have been meeting with at the DMZ for the past couple of weeks. Again, they met here to try to hammer out those final details, the agenda, the substance of these talks. We also know that as you say, the U.S. president has gone to see the Singaporean prime minister. He sounded fairly positive when he was talking to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, saying that, I think things could work out very nicely.

The Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, saying that the president is very well prepared, so these are really the last flurries we're seeing just hours ahead of this meeting. And we're seeing a fair few media scrums here in Singapore as you could imagine. Everybody camped outside that hotel with the North Korean delegation and is following them as they're going to meet with the U.S. delegation.

We have not seen anything of Kim Jong-un today, the North Korean leader, but we have been hearing from state-run media that they have announced publicly that this is happening. They've announced it to their people, showing that they do believe that it could go well. It is quite unusual to announce this kind of thing ahead of time in North Korea, but they have that very famous anchorwoman coming, talking about it being a historic foreign tour and that they would be talking about denuclearization. Back to you.

ROMANS: Fascinating. The president of the United States coming in on Air Force One, Sunday arriving. The leader of North Korea on a borrowed plane from China. So, really fascinating dynamic there. Thank you so much for that. Talk to you soon.

BRIGGS: All right, after months of preparations, we are getting our final glimpse at what is ahead for this meeting. We will hear from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in just less than an hour's time. There are some pictures of the president there in Singapore. As for what to expect once this kicks off at 9:00 eastern time, let's check in with Jeremy Diamond. He is live also in Singapore laying out the agenda for us. Jeremy, good morning.

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Dave. Yes, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected to answer questions at 5:00 so very, very shortly. Of course, there are a number of issues that remain to be resolved and a number of key questions that reporters will want to be asking.

[04:35:04] First among them of course is how much have U.S. and North Korean officials actually bridged the gap on their understanding of what denuclearization of North Korea actually means. We know today, U.S. and North Korean officials were meeting once again to try and iron out those details of a potential agreement. But we have also learned at this point that President Trump and Kim Jong-un will be meeting one-on-one for their first meeting that kicks off this summit, which is tomorrow of course in our time here in Singapore.

That could leave a lot of U.S. officials with some questions and some worries. Now, we know that President Trump has been eager to be free wheeling in his discussions with Kim Jong-un. He has wanted flexibility. He has suggested that he is going to go in and really go off of his gut, his instincts on this. And clearly now there will not been any senior U.S. policy officials in that room to steer him one way or the other, Dave.

BRIGGS: The president's touch, the president's feel has a lot on the line. Jeremy Diamond, live for us, 4:35 p.m. there in Singapore. Thank you.

ROMANS: All right. It is just a fascinating juxtaposition, the president trying to make peace with a long-time enemy. But at the same time, there is chaos simultaneously driving a wedge with some of America's longest and closest allies. Overnight, the president attacked members of the G7 on twitter complaining about massive trade surpluses and for the U.S paying close to the entire cost of NATO. The president refusing to sign the G7 communique, that statement after the meeting once he heard Prime Minister Justin Trudeau say this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUSTIN TRUDEAU, PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA: I have made it very clear to the president that it is not something we relish doing, but it is something that we absolutely will do because Canadians, we are polite, we are reasonable, but we also will not be pushed around.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: He is talking about Canada retaliating against Mr. Trump's deal tariffs. President Trump calling those remarks dishonest and weak, really enraged when he heard about that press briefing there. Listen to the president's top advisers reacting.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) LARRY KUDLOW, DIRECTOR, WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL: He really kind of stabbed us in the back. He really actually, you know what, he did a great disservice to the whole G7.

PETER NAVARRO, WHITE HOUSE TRADE ADVISER: There's a special place in hell for any foreign leader that engages in bad faith diplomacy with President Donald J. Trump.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Let's go live to Berlin and bring in CNN senior international correspondent Atika Shubert. Atika, that is not typically diplomatic talk that we are hearing here. These are supposedly America's closest allies and friends. What is the reaction there in Europe?

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think it is pretty clear here the people are not surprised anymore at hearing these kinds of statements coming from President Trump, but they are disappointed nonetheless. And this is what Chancellor Merkel said last night in a T.V. interview that it was sobering, but you know, Europe has to take its future into its own hands. Essentially, that while she would like a good relationship with the U.S., she can't count on a good relationship with President Trump.

And why he is singling out Canada? Well, you know, we heard some of the comments earlier from administration officials, but why Germany? Well that might be because of this photo. You probably have seen it. It is on the cover of most newspapers here today and it shows -- the headline here says Europe will not be intimidated." And it shows Angela Merkel, Chancellor Merkel leaning over and seemingly giving what looks like a lecture to President Trump as he keeps his arms folded.

It's an extraordinary photo and it doesn't make President Trump look very good, and that may be one reason why he is lashing out at Germany now on twitter. Not just about the trade surplus, but also the fact that Germany only pays one percent of its GDP and NATO defense, which has been an old complaint of President Trump's. Either way, what it has done is really dismantle the relationship in many ways between the U.S. and its closest allies.

ROMANS: Yes, so fascinating to renew that NATO complaint the very time driving a wedge in the G7 and about to be on the world stage with North Korea. Fascinating. All right, Atika, thank you so much for that.

Let's talk about that, the president blasting his U.S. trading partners, renewing those attacks on NATO spending. Trump has long criticized members for what he says they're not paying their fair share. And he just went on a tweet storm about this. The U.S. pays close to the entire cost of NATO protecting the same countries that rip us off on trade. Adding, they pay only a fraction of the cost and laugh.

He also singled out Germany for paying one percent slowly of GDP while we pay four percent on a much larger GDP. NATO is based on the idea of collective defense, asking members to spend two percent of their GDP and defense. There is no penalty if they don't, that's the framework. Now the U.S. does not pay the entire cost, but disproportionately, it pays more.

Out of 28 nations, only four including the U.S. actually spend at least two percent. Now, the U.S. is the big player here, right. It's the biggest economy, the most powerful economy with the biggest military and biggest military spending in the world.

[04:40:01] The U.S. spent $686 billion last year. More than double all the other NATO countries combined. Germany spent about 1.2 percent of its GDP and defense last year, about $45 billion, but members that fall below two percent, interestingly, they have been spending more, ramping up spending really amid the criticism from this White House.

The E.U. and Canada are now on track to meet that target by 2024. And there are those who follow this and say look, the U.S. pays the most and has a bigger voice at the table --

BRIGGS: And that's why we --

ROMANS: There has been elements in Europe that have been not wanting to spend more militarily because, you know, the last century was horrible with military spending from Europe. You know, I mean it's -- and NATO is the blunt for the West against Russia as well so that is why it is such an important key.

BRIGGS: Speaking of Russia, good segue, President Trump refusing to retreat from his call to re-admit Russia back into the G7. In fact, he is doubling down.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: I think it would be an asset to have Russia back in. I think it would be good for the world. I think it would be good for Russia. I think it would be good for the United States. I think it would be good for all of the countries of the current G7. I think the G8 would be better. I think having Russia back in would be a positive thing. We are looking for peace in the world. We are not looking to play games.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: Russia was kicked out of the G8 four years ago for annexing Crimea, the first violation of a European country's borders since World War II. Let's go live to Moscow and bring in senior international correspondent Matthew Chance. What is the reaction there, Matthew, on that fascinating stunning statement from President Trump?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It is fascinating and stunning. And the reaction has been perhaps not surprisingly, somewhat skeptical from the Russians. First of all when they heard it they said, look, you know, we focus on other formats. President Putin, who is on a state visit to China or was on a state visit to China said that he prefers the Chinese-led group of countries that he was currently taking part in the summit of, which he says was essentially more important than the G7.

I think what is behind that is a high degree of skepticism. First of all, that there is anyone else in the G7 that would tolerate the re- admittance of Russia at this point. Obviously, there has been no progress made on the annexation of Crimea or on any of the other issues like U.S meddling or the downing of MH17, the civilian airliner or the backing of Bashar al-Assad in Syria which has put Russia at odds with the rest of the international community particularly with those G7b allies.

So, skepticism as any willingness on the part of the others to bring Russia back in. There is skepticism in general that President Trump can deliver on any of the promises that he makes regarding Russia. He promised to makes relations better. The fat sanctions of the United States had been ratcheted up.

There is also an issue of the sort of general satisfaction that the Russians are looking at this situation now. For a long time they've wanted to drive a wedge between Europe and the west -- sorry, Europe and the United States, and it seems that President Trump is doing that work for them, Dave.

BRIGGS: Yes, and you just wondered to the president, what did Russia do to get back in his good graces? We would like to hear the president speak to that at some point. Matthew Chance live for us in Moscow. Thanks.

ROMANS: All right, "Politico" reporting that President Trump has been shredding documents that are supposed to be kept under the Presidential Records Act. One former staffer is saying about the painstaking process of putting them back together, next.

[04:45:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: All right, 47 minutes past the hour this Monday morning. White house staffers have reportedly been taping pieces of paper back together after President Trump rips them up. They need to tape them back together to comply with the Presidential Records Act. According to "Politico" the papers included letters and official documents that are required by law to be preserved and sent to the National Archives.

A former records management analyst who was terminated after 30 years of government service says he had never seen anything like it in previous administrations. He says, quote, I had a letter from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, he tore it up. It's the craziest thing ever. He ripped papers into tiny pieces.

BRIGGS: Wow. President Trump's penchant for deleting his tweets and reposting them slightly altered it without typo has already raised questions about compliance with the law. The White House previously said they have systems in place to preserve all tweets as presidential records.

The pentagon has now identified the U.S. service member killed in Somalia on Friday. Officials say 26-year-old sergeant Alexander Conrad died of injuries from quote, enemy indirect fire. Four other soldiers were wounded when their team came under attack by mortars and small arms from unknown insurgent forces in the area.

A Kenyan soldier was also wounded. Defense officials say the U.S. troops were on a training mission with local Somali and Kenyan forces when the attack occurred.

ROMANS: A rescue boat with more than 600 migrants on board is potentially stranded at sea between Italy and Malta as the newly minted Italian government closes its ports to anyone attempting to enter the country from Libya. Far right interior minister Matteo Salvini declaring on Facebook that Italy is immediately saying no to illegal immigration. The migrants currently off the Italian coast were gathered through a six rescue operations in international waters.

BRIGGS: All the hype was justified. For the 13th time in thoroughbred racing history, the sport has a Triple Crown winner.

ROMANS: Justify taking the lead right out of the gate, never looking back to win the Belmont Stakes, wire-to-wire inside giving trainer Bob Baffert his second Triple Crown. Justify is undefeated winning all six of his races this year. And then that Gronkowski, that was amazing. You see that man? It was (inaudible).

All right, John Lasseter, one of the biggest names in animation will leave Disney following missteps, "CNN Money" next.

[04:50:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRIGGS: President Trump in Singapore today for a historic face-to- face sit down with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. In just minutes, we will hear more about preparations for the final summit meeting from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. We will take you live to that briefing as soon as it begins.

ROMANS: You can see the room is already filling up. Everyone is there with their laptops, pen and paper ready to hear what Pompeo has to say.

[04:55:01] All right, a spokesman for Eminem and some of the rapper's fans now defending him after he used special effects that some say sounded like gunshots during his Bonnaroo set this weekend.

(VIDEO PLAYING)

ROMANS: The rapper's spokesman telling Billboard Magazine he and other artist have used the loud boom for years. CNN's Dianne Gallagher explains.

DIANNE GALLAGHER, CNN CORRRESPONDENT: Yes, look, Dave and Christine, the rapper Eminem is no stranger to controversy, but this one may have even caught them by surprise because this happened after his Bonnaroo set on Saturday night. I want you take a listen to what many ar describing as hearing gunshots that cause them to be afraid and who really triggered by this incident. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EMINEM, RAPPER: Why not (BLEEP) kill you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kill you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GALLAGHER: I actually spoke to a survivor of the Parkland shooting, Alaiah (ph) Eastman. She happened to be there in the audience seeing Eminem. She told me that she was there trying to enjoy it, but it was a little bit too much for her. She sent me a text basically saying it was an amazing experience, but considering the trauma that I experienced with my school, last night's set from Eminem was just too much.

And it is unfortunate he added fireworks so that was triggering as well. I heard people start running. After the fourth really loud pop, I started to cry and I had to leave. It was so bad, I nearly threw up. Now, a source close to Eminem tells us that what you are hearing in the video actually is not a gunshot effect. They called it a concussive pyrotechnic effect.

It is basically this loud boom sound effect that coincides with some of the firework looking things that you can see in the video. They said that in this particular case, it is not gunshot, but they have used that effect for about 10 years now in Eminem shows. It is not something that is unusual.

A lot of people are very sensitive to this now and whether or not there needs to be some sort of signage or maybe even eliminating it from some of the shows. So, it is a greater conversation. We are seeing it played on social media and we will have to see where it goes from here.

BRIGGS: All right, Dianne, thanks.

On a night where Broadway honored its best in show, students from the Stoneman Douglas high school drama department brought down the house with a performance of the classic song "Seasons of Love" from the musical "Rent."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE/FEMALE: (Singing)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Singing)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: See the faces of the people in the crowd say that story, right? The students had the audience in tears. They got a standing ovation at the end of the song that came after their drama teacher, Melody Herzfeld was honored with a special Tony Award for excellence in theater education.

She is credited for saving dozens of lives by herding students into a classroom closet during the shooting. One of the night's big surprises though was Robert De Niro hurling "F" bombs at President Trump before introducing a Bruce Springsteen performance. "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" won the Tony for Best Play while "The Band's Visit" won Best Musical and took three of the four acting awards.

ROMANS: Those kids at (inaudible). Wow! They are really good. Really good.

All right, let's get a check on "CNN Money" this morning, Global stocks shaking off early losses higher ahead of the historic U.S.- North Korea summit. President Trump meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un today in Singapore. Investors hope it may lead to denuclearization in the Korean Peninsula. A trade also in focus this week. Tensions on the rise between the U.S. and its closest allies following the G7 Summit. Wall Street finished last week higher.

Amazon being blasted for allowing harsh working conditions at a Chinese factory. A watch dog group investigated a Foxconn factory that makes Amazon Echo's and Kindle's. They found employees there stuck with long hours, low wages, inadequate training. Amazon admitted to CNN it audited the factory in March and immediately requested a corrective action plan.

It did not elaborate. This is not the first time Foxconn has been hold out for working conditions. A Chinese plant that makes iPhones came under fire in 2010 for a rash of worker suicides. Just a reminder, the stuff you buy is cheap for a reason.

Seemed animator John Lasseter will leave Disney following missteps. Lasseter was chief creative officer of Pixar and Disney Animation. He took a leave of absence last year after admitting he made some colleagues feel, quote, disrespected and uncomfortable. That followed a Hollywood reporter story accusing Lasseter of grabbing and kissing female employees. Lasseter apologized to anyone on the receiving end of an unwanted hug or other gesture that crossed the line.

BRIGGS: "Early Start" continues right now as we preview the Trump/Kim summit.

[05:00:00] We will hear from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo live shortly.