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State of the Union
Trump Set to Meet With North Korean Dictator; President Trump Isolating U.S. From Allies?; Interview With National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow; Interview With California Senator Dianne Feinstein; Trump Blames Obama, Not Putin, For Crimea Invasion; Trump Slams Canada's Trudeau; 72 Percent of Americans Support The Trump-Kim Summit; The Apprentice: Pardon Edition In This Week's "State of the Cartoonion". Aired 9-10a ET
Aired June 10, 2018 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[09:00:25]
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Odd man out. President Trump stuns the world, pulling out of the G7's official agreement and issuing a warning to allies.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're like the piggy bank that everybody is robbing. And that ends.
TAPPER: Is there an actual strategy here?
JUSTIN TRUDEAU, CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER: We also will not be pushed around.
TAPPER: President Trump's chief economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, responds next.
Plus: one-time shot. The president touches down in Singapore for a summit many thought we'd never see and says it won't take him long to figure out a devious dictator.
TRUMP: I think, within the first minute, I will know, my touch, my feel. That's what I do.
TAPPER: If the president wings it, is there is a prayer for peace? Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein will be here in moments.
And blaming Obama. As President Trump puts in a good word for Vladimir Putin with U.S. allies, he says, thanks, Obama, for letting Russia run over Crimea. So, who is giving Russia the pass now?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TAPPER: Hello. I'm Jake Tapper in Washington, where the state of our union is solo. And I'm not talking about the new "Star Wars" movie.
President Trump is in Singapore for what could be the biggest meeting of his entire presidency. North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is also on the ground meeting with Singapore's prime minister.
But, right now, it is the news President Trump made on the way to his meeting in Singapore that is rattling world order. As President Trump is preparing to improve U.S. relations with that brutal dictator, he seems to be throwing out two days of diplomacy with U.S. allies, slamming Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as -- quote -- "very dishonest and weak" and announcing that the U.S. will not sign a joint statement agreed to by all nations at the summit.
Let's go straight to Singapore and CNN's Kaitlan Collins.
Kaitlan, what is the latest?
KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Jake, this is real. It is actually happening.
It's something that a lot of doubters and experts didn't think it would actually come to this, but President Trump and Kim Jong-un are finally on the same soil, Kim Jong-un landing earlier today, President Trump landing just a few minutes ago.
And now everyone will be watching to see what comes out of this potentially historic summit when the two leaders do sit down Tuesday morning here to talk and see what comes out of that. What is the president looking for?
He has said denuclearization in the past, but, lately, he's been saying it will only take one minute for him to see what it is, if Kim Jong-un is serious about committing to denuclearization.
That is something that is still largely up for discussion, that it's not clear what the North Koreans are willing to commit to.
That is going on the heels of this G7 summit that the president really upended as soon as he got on Air Force One with a single tweet, tweeting about the prime minister in the way that he did. Certainly a lot of diplomatic moves here, Jake, to keep an eye on.
TAPPER: All right, Kaitlan Collins in Singapore, thanks so much.
Now, here with me is the top White House economic adviser, Larry Kudlow. He was with the president at the G7 summit. He was doing a lot of the negotiating on that communique.
Larry, thanks so much for joining us.
LARRY KUDLOW, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL: Thank you, Jake.
TAPPER: We really appreciate it, as always.
(CROSSTALK)
TAPPER: But let's start with this unprecedented decision from the president to not endorse the communique that you had been negotiating.
Was this the plan all along, or was this completely a reaction to Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister?
KUDLOW: Completely a reaction. I appreciate you putting that out there.
Look, we went there. All the punditry was saying, A, President Trump might not even go to G7, B, we will never sign a communique because, C, we're not going to work with other people.
Well, we did in good faith. I personally negotiated with Prime Minister Trudeau, who, by the way, I basically liked working with, but not until this sophomoric play.
I mean, we went through it. We agreed. We compromised on the communique. We joined the communique in good faith.
TAPPER: But what did he say that was so offensive? President Trump accused him of lying.
KUDLOW: Well, he holds a press conference, and he said the U.S. is insulting. He said that Canada has to stand up for itself. He says that we are the problem with tariffs.
Well, the infactual, the non-factual part of this was, they have enormous tariffs. I mean, they have tariffs on certain dairy and food products of 290, 295 percent. He was polarizing.
I mean, here's the thing. I mean, he really kind of stabbed us in the back. He really, actually -- you know what? He did a great disservice to the whole G7. He betrayed...
TAPPER: Trudeau did?
KUDLOW: Yes, he did, because they were united in the G7. They came together.
And I was there extensively. I was involved in these late-night negotiations. President Trump was charming, good faith.
[09:05:05]
I -- I was in the bilateral meeting with Trudeau and President Trump. And they were getting along famously. President Trump actually -- and this is music to my ears, Jake. He went through those two days of conference talking about the need for a new free trade system, no tariffs.
TAPPER: Right.
KUDLOW: No tariff barriers.
TAPPER: No subsidies.
KUDLOW: No subsidies.
He is a trade reformer, as I have argued again and again. And he put that out. And so they had this bilateral meeting. We were very close to making
a deal with Canada on NAFTA, bilaterally perhaps. And then we leave, and Trudeau pulls this sophomoric political stunt for domestic consumption.
It pains me...
(CROSSTALK)
TAPPER: But President Trump does that all the time, though, doesn't he?
(CROSSTALK)
KUDLOW: No, he doesn't.
TAPPER: He doesn't say things for domestic consumption?
KUDLOW: No, the point is, if you are going through a treaty process, a communique, and you have good faith...
TAPPER: Right.
KUDLOW: And -- and those leaders were together.
I mean, I was right smack in the middle of it on Friday night and Saturday morning. You don't walk away and start firing bullets.
Now, look...
TAPPER: I can't believe that an adviser to President Trump...
(LAUGHTER)
TAPPER: ... is saying that, because President Trump does that all the time. He does things for -- for domestic consumption.
KUDLOW: Jake, not in -- not after you pull a treaty or a deal together.
TAPPER: But let's look at the language of the communique.
KUDLOW: That's the point I'm trying to make here.
TAPPER: Let's look at the language -- yes, let's look at the language of the communique that you helped negotiate, that President Trump walked away from.
Here is the part that is on trade, which is the part that, obviously, I think President Trump is most interested in.
KUDLOW: Yes. Yes.
TAPPER: "We acknowledge that free, fair and mutually beneficial trade and investment, while creating reciprocal benefits, are key engines for growth and job creation. We strive to reduce tariff barriers, non-tariff barriers and subsidies. We call for the start of negotiations this year to develop stronger international rules on market-distorting industrial subsidies and trade-distorting actions by state-owned enterprises."
That is what President Trump believes in.
KUDLOW: Yes.
TAPPER: Why walk away from it just because of something Justin Trudeau said for domestic consumption?
KUDLOW: No, not something.
Look, you -- yes, for domestic political consumption. But it was a global statement. The whole world listened to what he said.
Look, you're reporting it here in Washington, as you must.
TAPPER: Sure.
KUDLOW: I get that.
You just don't behave that way, OK? It is a betrayal, OK? He is essentially double-crossing -- not just double crossing President Trump, but the other members of the G7, who were working together and pulling together this communique.
You know, you never get everything you want. There are compromises along the way. President Trump played that process in good faith.
So, I ask you, he gets up in the airplane and leaves. And then Trudeau starts blasting him in a domestic news conference? I'm sorry. It is a betrayal. That is a double-cross.
It pains me because I like Trudeau. I was working with him. We were together putting words on paper. I'm changing "the"s to "a"s when it comes to reforming the international system. They all agreed. This is so important.
They all agreed that the WTO...
TAPPER: So why walk away from the agreement? That's what I don't understand.
KUDLOW: Well, then ask Mr. Trudeau that. That's the question.
TAPPER: But he didn't walk away from the agreement. He...
KUDLOW: Don't blame Trump.
It was Trudeau who started blasting Trump after he left, after the deals had been made.
And one last point on this.
TAPPER: Yes. KUDLOW: POTUS is going to Korea -- no, Singapore, to negotiate with
the North Koreans. This is an historic event.
TAPPER: Absolutely.
KUDLOW: Good things, wonderful things could come out of this.
TAPPER: We all hope so, absolutely.
KUDLOW: All right. Thank you.
Now, POTUS is not going to let a Canadian prime minister push him around, push him, POTUS, President Trump...
TAPPER: But that's what...
KUDLOW: ... around on the eve of this.
He is not going to permit any show of weakness on the -- on the trip to negotiate with North Korea, nor should he.
TAPPER: So, this was about North Korea?
KUDLOW: Of course it was, in large part, absolutely.
TAPPER: So, because Trudeau said that as Trump was going to Singapore...
KUDLOW: Well, you know, one thing leads to another, Jake.
TAPPER: Oh, I see. OK.
KUDLOW: They are all related.
We had done our work in -- in Quebec, north of Quebec. We did our work. We worked with the Western alliance, pleased to do so. We get on the plane, and then this guy Trudeau starts blasting us.
TAPPER: So what is key here?
KUDLOW: Kim must not see American weakness.
TAPPER: Yes. I see. I see.
KUDLOW: It's that short.
And, you know, Jake -- you have covered the beat for so long -- how many times has President Trump said, if you hit me, I'm going to hit you back, OK?
TAPPER: Right.
KUDLOW: And this is a case where Trudeau -- it was like, I don't know, pouring collateral damage on this whole Korean trip. That was a part of Trudeau's mistake. He -- Trudeau made an error. He should take it back. He should pull
back on his statements and wish President Trump well in the Korea negotiations.
TAPPER: So, what...
KUDLOW: These other members did.
TAPPER: Yes.
KUDLOW: Angela Merkel did. Macron did. I was right there. Theresa May did.
TAPPER: OK. So, there's a...
KUDLOW: And, all of a sudden, he went rogue.
TAPPER: I'm seeing what you're saying here.
KUDLOW: He went rogue.
TAPPER: That this had to do with North Korea.
KUDLOW: In large part.
TAPPER: A lot of people are not interpreting it the way you're interpreting it.
Senator John McCain issued a statement, saying: "To our allies, bipartisan majorities of Americans remain pro-free trade, pro- globalization and supportive of alliances based on 70 years of shared values. Americans stand with you, even if our president doesn't."
[09:10:10]
That's a remarkable statement from a Republican senator...
KUDLOW: OK.
TAPPER: ... about a Republican president.
KUDLOW: Look, two -- two things.
One, John friend -- John McCain and I are old friends, and I wish him well. He is not well. I wish him well. Just want to make that point.
Number two, President Trump is essentially doing what John McCain wanted him to do with respect to free trade. President Trump made it clear time and again in those two days outside of Quebec that he wants to reinstitute a process of free trade, no tariffs...
TAPPER: No subsidies.
KUDLOW: ... no tariff barriers, no quotas and subsidies. He was absolutely consistent during this entire trip. And, to some
extent, this was a new emphasis, although I have known for years -- I wrote a piece in "The Washington Post" the other day -- I have known that Trump is a free-trader, OK? I knew that.
This is the first time, as I recall, he put it out there explicitly. And what does he get from Pierre (sic) Trudeau? Slam, slap in the face.
And I'm sorry. Look, nobody in this game is perfect. Nobody in this game is entirely clean. I get that. But that doesn't mean you can't negotiate in good faith, OK?
TAPPER: Well, I see. And you're also saying that what is really important here is that America, in your view, can't show weakness as President Trump...
KUDLOW: Well, that's...
TAPPER: ... flies to Singapore to negotiate with Kim Jong-un.
KUDLOW: Well, first of all, you know, why throw a monkey wrench into the meeting of the Western allies? That is point number one.
I think Trudeau -- and, second of all, yes, you're quite right, sir. I mean, President -- he can't put Trump in a position of being weak going into the North Korean talks with Kim. He can't do that.
TAPPER: Yes.
KUDLOW: And, by the way, President Trump is not weak. He will be very strong, as he always is. So those are my points.
This was an ill-advised statement by Mr. Trudeau.
TAPPER: Let me ask you -- I want to ask you another question.
KUDLOW: He ought to -- really...
TAPPER: Yes.
KUDLOW: He ought to come out and apologize in the name of the Western allies, OK? He ought to come out today and wish President Trump well in the negotiations...
TAPPER: In Singapore.
KUDLOW: ... instead of taking potshots at...
(CROSSTALK)
TAPPER: I want to ask you.
Another thing that raised a lot of eyebrows had to do with President Trump, on his way to the G7, saying how he wished Russia was at the table. There are a lot of people who didn't understand why he would do it,
why he would do it that way. Usually, you would have a private conversation with G7 allies before you talk about new members.
At the same time that all this was going on, Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence, was speaking in France, where he said this about Russia's cyber-attacks.
I'm sorry. It is a graphic.
"These Russian actions are purposeful and premeditated. And they represent an all-out assault by Vladimir Putin on the rule of law, Western ideals and democratic norms. The Russians are actively seeking to divide our alliance, and we must not allow that to happen."
What would you say to critics who say that President Trump -- and there are critics out there who are saying this in the United States and Europeans -- that President Trump is actually doing what Vladimir Putin would want him to do, trying to bring him into the G7 or G8 without any concessions, and really causing a lot of tensions with the allies in the G7?
KUDLOW: Well, first of all, I think Dan Coats is right. Russia is very difficult, very divisive. They are a threat in so many ways. So that is right.
But President Trump is saying, look, perhaps we should go back to dealing with them. Remember, it used to be the G8.
TAPPER: But shouldn't you get a concession?
KUDLOW: Perhaps so.
I mean, he wasn't -- he wasn't negotiating with himself or anybody else. It was the G8. Russia is a player on the world stage. And he was suggesting that perhaps they ought to -- the G7 should to...
(CROSSTALK)
KUDLOW: ... again.
TAPPER: But you know this, because I used to watch you when you were an anchor during this period.
Russia is no longer a member of the G8 because they invaded Crimea.
KUDLOW: That is fair enough. I -- fair enough.
But that doesn't mean we shouldn't talk to them. That doesn't mean we shouldn't deal with them.
Again, Russia was doing some very bad things years ago, when they were part of the G8.
TAPPER: Right.
KUDLOW: So, look, you can argue that both sides.
President Trump is just throwing it out there for consideration. There is nothing wrong with that.
Dan Coats is right, on the other hand. Russia has a record that is an arm long when it comes to violating sanctions, damaging people, invading the Crimea, trying to threaten the rest of Eastern Europe.
So, sure, but the two are not mutually exclusive.
TAPPER: And yet have been more critical just now the show of Vladimir Putin than President Trump has.
President Trump pointed at President Obama when asked about Crimea. He said Obama -- quote -- "allowed Russia to take Crimea in 2014."
I mean, whether or not you think President Obama was aggressive enough against Russia, it wasn't Obama who let them do it. Putin did it.
KUDLOW: That is true.
I think we could have had a much stronger response with President Obama. But I don't want to go there. I'm not an expert in this field.
I just don't see anything wrong with the American president suggesting that the G7 go back and have another discussion with Russia. It was the G8. So be it.
[09:15:08]
That does not absolve -- I'm sorry -- that does not absolve Prime Minister Trudeau's essentially busting up the G7 and its communique.
Do you know -- let me -- this is funny. Look, we've known each other a while. I'm getting text messages from very good reporters Thursday and Friday before the G7: Is it true that President Trump is not going and Vice President Pence is going to go, all right? And I'm saying, no.
TAPPER: No, not true at all.
KUDLOW: There is an over/under whether President Trump is going to show up. OK?
I said no. He showed up. He worked with them. We had long night sessions. He was a participant. Not only did we play. We were in the communique, team players, really, really, team players here, the U.S., to help the Western alliance.
And then Trudeau throws him under the bus with some very harsh language.
Jake, it was a betrayal. It was a diplomatic betrayal. That is not good. And you know what? We were close to negotiating a trade deal with Mr. Trudeau. TAPPER: So, what is next?
KUDLOW: I was in the bilateral meeting.
TAPPER: What is next with U.S. relations with Canada? What is next with the relationship with the G7? Is it frayed to the point that it can't be repaired?
KUDLOW: Well, what is next is historic negotiations with North Korea.
TAPPER: In Singapore with North Korea, absolutely.
KUDLOW: That is the absolute end-all/be-all.
With regard to the G7, frayed relations? I don't know. I watched Angela Merkel and President Trump talking to each other. The same with Macron of France. The same with May of Britain.
I was right -- right there. And they are talking with each other. Is there an occasional barb? Of course there is.
TAPPER: Yes.
KUDLOW: These are major politicians.
But, on the whole, that alliance was strengthened. That G7 alliance was strengthened, as President Trump involved himself and devoted himself to the process. That is a good thing.
They should have said to him, Godspeed. You are negotiating with this crazy nuclear tyrant in North Korea. And we are behind you. That is what President -- what Prime Minister Trudeau should have said.
TAPPER: The only point I will make about is that -- I have talked to a lot of Canadian and European diplomats in the last year.
And I think they would be surprised that the Trump White House would be offended at barbs being made by Justin Trudeau, given all the ones that President Trump has made about Canada and Europe for the year- and-a-half of his presidency.
KUDLOW: After you sign an agreement like that?
TAPPER: No, not immediately after. Yes, so the timing is important.
KUDLOW: Really? Really?
And, by the way, the other thing is -- I don't want to lose this point -- the American economy is really growing rapidly. We are the fastest growing G7 economy right now. We have cut taxes. We have pushed back regulations.
Here is the president being the -- frankly, the strongest trade reformer in the past two decades, which, if we could overcome these unfair trading barriers, would help our economy and the economy of the rest of the world. We talked to Trudeau, as I said, in the bilateral. We were coming
together beautifully, OK? And then he goes out there and pulls this amateur political stunt.
Jake, look, it is not personal. Trudeau is a smart guy, as I said. I was working with him. I call him Prime Minister. He calls me Larry. I'm taking notes. I'm going back to POTUS to see if he will accept this stuff.
TAPPER: Is there going to be payback?
KUDLOW: It worked -- it worked beautifully.
TAPPER: Payback to Trudeau? Is there -- is the U.S. going to do anything?
KUDLOW: I don't know anything about that.
What I'm saying is that President Trump had every right, every right to push back publicly on this Trudeau amateurish scheme that really broke -- that really broke up all the good will from that meeting in Quebec.
TAPPER: Well, let me just say this.
I'm sure most Americans, if not all Americans, watching right now are hoping for the best in Singapore. So, please convey that for us.
To you, Larry Kudlow, always a pleasure having you on.
KUDLOW: Thank you. Thank you.
TAPPER: Thank you so much.
The man who wrote "The Art of the Deal" is now facing what might be his greatest test. Will President Trump's special feel and touch be enough to negotiate a deal with Kim Jong-un?
Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California is here to respond in moments.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:23:05]
TAPPER: Welcome back to STATE OF THE UNION. I'm Jake Tapper.
As we await the unprecedented face-to-face meet between President Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, President Trump has thrown a wrench into the international order, defying the closest allies of the U.S., abruptly declaring that the U.S. will not endorse the G7 agreement.
Just moments ago, you heard the president's top economic adviser telling me that Canada's Justin Trudeau is at fault because he betrayed the U.S. in a -- quote -- "amateur political stunt." Here with me to discuss, as well as the North Korean summit, is Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, who is fresh off a primary win there for reelection.
Congratulations, Senator.
SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D), CALIFORNIA: Thank you very much.
TAPPER: So, I want to get to North Korea in a second, but I do wonder what your response is.
Larry Kudlow saying that this is all Justin Trudeau's fault, Justin Trudeau shouldn't have come out and delivered what Kudlow called an amateur political stunt, talking about the U.S. doing things that are inappropriate in terms of threatened tariffs, and President Trump pulling out of the communique is Trudeau's fault.
FEINSTEIN: Well, I can tell you the way I look at it.
This wasn't just with Trudeau. This is with our best allies, seven best allies. And it seems to me, not to sign a statement of solidarity which stands for everything that we stand for, is a big mistake.
I understand the president was upset. The president could have said that. But to walk away from our allies in this way, I think, is a mistake.
TAPPER: And, of course, this comes in a context.
I want you to take a listen to the president of the European Council, Donald Tusk.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TUSK, EUROPEAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT: What worries me most, however, is the fact that the rules-based international order is being challenged, quite surprisingly, not by the usual suspects, but by its main architect and guarantor, the U.S.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[09:25:00]
TAPPER: So, that's the president of the European Council saying that the rules-based international order is being challenged by us, by the United States.
And that was even before this incident with President Trump refusing to sign the communique.
After you have seen for the last -- what you have seen for the last year-and-a-half, do you think President Trump sees himself and the United States as the leader of the free world?
FEINSTEIN: Well, I think he sees these agreements as not being very important. And they are hugely symbolic and they are really meaningful.
I mean, we have helped support this whole democratic Atlantic community and more or less forged it into a single entity. And I have been very proud of that as an American. We don't want to stand alone in the world. We need to stand with our democratic allies.
Now, will there be differences of opinion? Will we not like a statement that one or the other makes? Of course. But that doesn't mean you reject what the G7 stands for and just move out and ignore it.
I mean, I think that is a huge mistake on the president's part.
TAPPER: President Trump also raised some eyebrows this weekend when he suggested that Russia should be allowed to rejoin the G7.
Take a listen.
(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 the G8 would be better.
I think having Russia back in would be a positive thing. We're looking for peace in the world. We're not looking to play games.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TAPPER: As you know, Russia was kicked out of what was then the G8 because they had invaded Crimea and seized that territory.
Do you think it is time to start talking about admitting Russia back?
FEINSTEIN: Well, I think, not only did they seize Crimea, but they also interfered in the election.
And the democratic election in the United States is a sacrosanct territory. And for a government -- and I believe Putin gave instructions to the intelligence services of that country to do just that and mix it up in the election. That is unacceptable.
So, as far as most of us are concerned, Russia has not yet apologized. Russia has not yet said this will never happen again. So, I do not agree on this point either.
TAPPER: Let's turn to the historic summit with North Korea.
The president just landed in Singapore just moments ago. Last year, you were very critical of the president's rhetoric, which was very tough against North Korea. You said he wasn't helping the situation with his -- quote -- "bombastic comments."
You called for a diplomatic solution. Now we're on the cusp of this historic meeting. North Korea said it's willing to discuss denuclearizing the peninsula.
Looking at where we are now, is it possible that President Trump was right and you were wrong when it came to approach with North Korea?
FEINSTEIN: Well, let me tell you how I see North Korea.
North Korea is on its way to becoming a clear and present danger to the United States. I have watched its nuclear program as carefully as I could as a member of the Intelligence Committee. They have done six nuclear tests. They have developed a missile system. They probably have up to 60, maybe more, nuclear weapons.
They are trying to fit a nuclear warhead on an intercontinental ballistic missile. They have not tested that yet. But, when they do, it gives them the ability to hit the United States.
It is a government that is not within the community of nations. It is an isolated government, unpredictable, with what appears to be a growing nuclear prowess.
I think this sends a lot of danger signals. I think the president does have a chance to put in motion meaningful dialogue. I mean, remember the agreed formula. Remember the six-party talks. This went on for decades. And North Korea didn't keep virtually any of its agreements.
So, there has to be something that is fundamental, that is agreeable, and that the two, our country and North Korea, can come together, and the nuclear proliferation, which is -- happens in a number of ways. They send nuclear materials out. They make the weapons. They have the missiles. They hide the missiles.
And there is no question in my mind that, when you develop an intercontinental ballistic missile and a nuclear warhead that is going to fit on that missile, that the United States is in danger.
TAPPER: What is the minimum you would like to see President Trump achieve at this summit? The minimum?
FEINSTEIN: Well, the minimum is an understanding that this is a real problem for us, we will not let that problem stand, and the only alternative is to sit down and come up with an agreement, and also make it such that there is an incentive for North Korea to do that.
[09:30:03]
TAPPER: You signed a letter with other Democratic Senate leaders this week saying that any deal with North Korea must be permanent and include anytime-anywhere inspections.
FEINSTEIN: Correct.
TAPPER: The Iran nuclear deal, which you advocated for under President Obama, let some key provisions expire and some limits on how quickly some areas could be inspected.
Why the higher standard for the North Korea deal than for the Iran deal? FEINSTEIN: Well, in the first place, I believe that North Korea, with
an intercontinental ballistic missile with a nuclear warhead, is, as I said, a clear and present danger to the United States.
TAPPER: It's a bigger -- it's a bigger threat than Iran?
FEINSTEIN: Oh, yes, no question.
And the Iranians -- there are many different contacts that people have with the Iranian government. There are virtually no contacts, I think particularly in the Senate, with North Korea.
So, North Korea stands out there as an isolated nation, becoming a nuclear power, proliferating and developing weapons, selling weapon materials and weapons, and developing a weapon that could hit us.
TAPPER: You introduced a bill this week to stop the separation of undocumented parents and undocumented children as they cross the U.S. border.
FEINSTEIN: Oh, yes.
TAPPER: A lot of Democrats are expressing outrage about how Trump is treating undocumented immigrants.
We saw this photo making the rounds on social media, Los Angeles Mayor, former Mayor Villaraigosa tweeted it out.
It is actually from -- it is undocumented children in a holding cell, but it is actually from 2014, when President Obama was president.
There were a lot of things done to undocumented immigrants that the immigration -- the immigrant community was very upset about during the Obama years that Democrats didn't seem as outspoken about.
What do you say to people who say, where was all this activism during the Obama years?
FEINSTEIN: I don't believe that it was nearly to the extent that it is today.
And, candidly, I didn't really know enough about it at that time to focus on it. I do know enough about it now. We have had a hearing in the Judiciary Committee. We did have testimony.
I know that at least 50 children a day are taken from their parents. And the thing is, they are taken, and no one knows what happens to them. Their parents don't know how to find them. And you have now the first person, one of the fathers, that died in jail.
And I find it just inhumane, callous, and something I never thought my country would do.
So, it is very worrisome, and we have got to stop it. And so we have written a bill. We have 31 co-sponsors. I hope we will be able to get it out of the Judiciary Committee. It has been introduced. And it would prohibit the taking of children in this manner, and then
it would provide a number of criteria to remove a child, what you would have to have present.
TAPPER: Senator Dianne Feinstein, it's great to see you.
FEINSTEIN: Thank you.
TAPPER: Congratulations again on your primary victory. Hope to see you again soon.
FEINSTEIN: Thank you very much.
TAPPER: Thank you.
FEINSTEIN: Appreciate it.
TAPPER: Here is a photo that could tell you a lot about how the negotiations one (ph) of (ph) the G7 summit. So what if Trump's next meeting with Kim Jong-un also ends with scowls and folded arms?
My panel is here next, will discuss.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:38:08]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: We have to ask President Obama because he was the one that let Crimea get away. That was during his administration. And he was the one that let Russia go and spend a lot of money on Crimea.
Obama can say all he wants but he allowed Russia to take Crimea. I may have had a much different attitude.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TAPPER: That was President Trump blaming President Obama for allowing Russia to invade Ukraine annex Crimea. One person he did not blame, Vladimir Putin.
My panel is now here with me.
Karine, I want to start with you because you worked for President Obama and I'm wondering what you think about the comments from President Trump?
KARINE JEAN-PIERRE, SENIOR ADVISER, MOVEON.ORG: First of all, it is just not true. But it is a -- it's a common thing with Donald Trump. When he says something that is completely in-defensible or does something that's in-defensible, he blaming Obama or he finds another foe, and does that.
It's Hillary Clinton at times. But as truthful as him saying that Obama wiretapped Trump Tower, Obama spied on his campaign, I mean, this is what he does and it is really just laughable and sad and also dangerous.
Remember, he talked about past presidents yesterday in a conference on foreign soil which is unheard of. It's something that nobody ever does. And this is just another kind of abnormal thing from Donald Trump.
TAPPER: The issue -- the issue, David, was about why should Russia be allowed back into --
DAVID URBAN, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Right.
TAPPER: -- the G7 or G8 considering that they invaded Crimea and he immediately shifted to blaming Obama.
URBAN: Not surprisingly I don't agree, Karine.
Let's take this -- take a look back at this, right? "The Atlantic" not necessarily right wing publication ran an article in I think 2014 talking about this and saying, is Obama to blame? President Obama at the time, and I think this was his view pretty certain on this, you know, Ukraine was not a NATO member. Ukraine was always going to be more important to Russia than it is to the United States.
[09:40:00]
And it wasn't worth going to war about. Listen, John McCain who we've talked about here on this program many times and other Republicans wanted to send arms to Ukraine. They want to arm the Ukrainians, they would fight the resistance.
URBAN: Obama didn't do it, didn't want that to happen, didn't allow it to happen. And so I think the president does have a point that we could have done much, much more on Ukraine to help these people push back the Russians and we didn't. We just let it go.
Because of that point, because of Sevastopol, because of the Black Sea Fleet, it is super important to the Russians. And it's a question, is the U.S. prepared to go to war in Crimea?
TAPPER: So let's -- let's focus more on the Russia part of this and not as much on the Obama part. With all that President Trump has said about Russia and letting them into the G7 or G8, a sitting U.S. senator Democrat Jeff Merkley of Oregon tweeted out -- quote -- "Which country is the American president working for?"
What do you make of that?
S.E. CUPP. CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, it is a good question. I have never understood Trump's strategy when it comes to his rhetorical deference to Putin.
It should always be pointed out in terms of policy this administration has actually been very tough on Russia and it doesn't get enough credit for that. But rhetorically, Trump is downright differential. That is not projecting strength. That -- I think Trump is at his weakest when he is running around the world grappling on behalf of Vladimir Putin. And it is no different here in (INAUDIBLE) where Trump is saying, you need to let my buddy Putin back in your club.
That is not Trump at his strongest. That is Trump at his weakest. And strategically it just doesn't -- it doesn't make sense because we know Trump is really just about projecting this kind of strength.
TAPPER: This is kind of strong though for Merkley to say, which country is the American president working for?
PAUL BEGALA, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Because America's interests are in having strong free economies aligned with us. That is what the g7 is about.
It is not just the biggest economies, it is the biggest economies that are Democratic. And Mr. Trump our president has undermined that.
You know, we do -- I looked it up, according to the Trump administration, we do $673.9 billion of business every year with the Canadians and we have a trade surplus. We only do $27 billion worth of business with the Russians and we have a big deficit, $6 billion.
So they are a bad customer, Russia. Canada is a great customer. Why are we --
(CROSSTALK)
BEGALA: Just a second, David. I want to -- I slightly disagree with S.E. in that it is not just rhetorically that this president helps Putin.
He is splitting the Atlantic alliance. He is undermining the alliance of free nations. Nothing could help make Putin happier than dividing the west, dividing the free world and then sucking up to Putin and doing his bidding.
It is a fair question. This is actually -- this summit was a huge win for Vladimir Putin. He didn't even have to show up.
(CROSSTALK)
TAPPER: Let's talk about the summit. Karine, what was your response to Larry Kudlow here this morning saying that the reason the U.S. walked away from the communique was because of impudent Justin Trudeau saying rude things in his press conference about the United States on the threatened tariffs on the eve of President Trump trying to negotiate this deal with Kim Jong-un?
JEAN-PIERRE: I think it is just ridiculous. I mean, the president is the king of pop shots. Kudlow also mentioned about the pop shots that Trudeau took.
I mean it just shows how thin skinned and small Donald Trump is. Because he is playing into our adversaries. He cares more about our adversaries than he does our allies.
And at the end of the day what he did at G7 is going to hurt American consumers and is going to hurt American workers, American farmers. And that is -- that is the end here.
And Donald Trump decided to walk away. He did. And he started this fight with Canada.
And the thing that is really crazy too is that the national -- what he used as a provision to put tariffs on Canada was a national security provision. We're not going into war with Canada.
Why would you even go -- take that direction? And why doesn't Congress, Republican led Congress, step in? They actually have the right to do this.
URBAN: There's so much -- there's so much rhetoric --
(CROSSTALK)
TAPPER: There's a lot -- I do want to say that they did say that, the U.S. government and Trump administration said that they were doing this, these tariffs against Canada for national security reasons.
URBAN: Right. Absolutely. Right.
TAPPER: But on Twitter, President Trump suggested that the reason the tariffs were coming because of the high Canadian dairy tariffs which is not the same thing.
JEAN-PIERRE: So which is it? Which is it?
URBAN: So both things -- both things can be true. Listen, both things can be true.
There is one plant, aluminum plant in the United States to provide aluminum for defense purposes. One.
We received -- the other plant is in Canada, right? So it is a national security fact.
JEAN-PIERRE: No, it's not.
URBAN: Yes, it is.
JEAN-PIERRE: The Aluminum Association said the tariffs, Trump tariffs, they don't approve of, they oppose.
URBAN: OK --
JEAN-PIERRE: The U.S. steel company, the U.S. workers they all oppose it.
(CROSSTALK)
TAPPER: -- let (INAUDIBLE) finish. JEAN-PIERRE: Yes, I have facts. That's what I have.
URBAN: Well, I have facts too. There is one plant that makes aircraft grade aluminum. OK?
TAPPER: Do you think if we're going to war Canada it's going to cut off aluminum?
URBAN: It is not going to war with Canada. It's trying to encourage more domestic production of U.S. aircraft grade aluminum. The second part is what Larry talked about were the tariffs, the unreasonable tariffs that Canada has on dairy and other products.
[09:45:03]
That may not matter to you urbane people that -- people in Pennsylvania -- people of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, dairy farmers across America, care greatly about it. I know that is a part the Democrats don't get, but those people --
JEAN-PIERRE: It's not -- it's not --
(CROSSTALK)
URBAN: But wait -- finally, small businesses, right --
TAPPER: Yes.
URBAN: -- there is a huge -- there is a huge tariff, people don't even know this unless you are a small business, mom and pop doing (INAUDIBLE) on the internet, if you want to ship -- if you want to ship --
CUPP: David --
URBAN: Hold on -- if you want to ship duty free into Canada from the U.S. there is an $800 tariff.
JEAN-PIERRE: Filibustering here. Filibustering.
TAPPER: Yes. I want to put up these -- let's put up these -- let's put up these photographs.
First on the left from German Chancellor Angela Merkel's press secretary, then on the right from White House social media director Dan Scavino showing basically Trump versus the G7. The other six countries in the G7.
Depending on your point of view, he is standing up for what is right for America. Or he is being recalcitrant.
What do you make of Kudlow's argument that this was all Justin Trudeau's fault?
CUPP: Well, it is remarkable to see anyone from the Trump administration whining about the way Trump was mistreated. TAPPER: Why do you say that?
CUPP: Well, because as you know this president takes unnecessary and really indefensible shots at people all the time. And his whole persona is the strong guy, you take it. You take the shots.
And if the point was that he didn't want to look weak heading into the Singapore summit, I get that. I think he did. I think taking your toys and going home and then complaining and whining about it is not going into a summit with an international dictator with a strongest foot forward.
I think you look pretty weak leaving the summit. And that is why they are all a little hurt about it.
TAPPER: So, Paul, according to a new poll out this week, 72 percent of the American people supports the Trump-Kim summit.
BEGALA: Because everybody wants to talk. That is fine.
URBAN: Apparently not the g7. Apparently not the folks at the G7.
BEGALA: Well, see that's the (INAUDIBLE). The pictures out of Singapore will likely be our president smiling and shaking hands with this murderous thug. And we'll all say isn't that great and most Americans will say isn't that greater because better to talk than go to war.
So why is it Trump wins when he has a picture of himself being petulant surrounded by the leaders of the free world, democracies, who are also very good customers, that's good for Trump, but it will also be good for Trump when he shakes hands with a murderous dictator?
URBAN: Paul what America see -- what America -- what Americans see in that picture --
(CROSSTALK)
BEGALA: Just a second. I don't want it forgotten here, Kim Jong-un has the blood on his hands of an American college kid who did nothing wrong.
URBAN: Of course he did.
BEGALA: Otto Warmbier, University of Virginia. And he -- he has lost forever because -- and hundreds of thousands of North Koreans not to speak of in -- is gulags. So I think that this president is so in search of a photo-op there that the photo out of Canada is just --
(CROSSTALK)
URBAN: Listen, Paul, Ambassador Ryan Crocker, one of the best diplomats America has ever had, right? Architect of successes in Iraq and Afghanistan wanted to negotiate with Hezbollah, right?
Said we're better off doing it than not doing it. Would you argue that was a bad idea?
I think talking to your enemies is far -- is as important as talking to your friends. That picture that you just showed, you put up there of the Americans -- the 62 million Americans that voted for the president, the 72 percent of those folks that think the president is doing a good job, they think that is what he is doing in that photo.
Standing up for --
(CROSSTALK)
BEGALA: He walked out on his friends. You can't have it both ways, David.
URBAN: Paul, listen --
BEGALA: I think it is good to have the summit, but it is a big win for Kim as soon as our president walks in that door.
JEAN-PIERRE: Yes.
BEGALA: That's what the Koreans -- North Korea --
(CROSSTALK)
URBAN: The president -- we're overlooking what the president said here.
TAPPER: Thirty seconds. Go ahead.
URBAN: The president said let's talk about having no tariffs, let's talk about having free trade.
JEAN-PIERRE: Yes.
URBAN: You want to have free and fair trade, let's talk about do it away with the tariffs.
(CROSSTALK)
BEGALA: Let's talk about punishing Russia for invading Americans instead of rewarding them.
JEAN-PIERRE: David --
TAPPER: Karine, last word -- last word.
JEAN-PIERRE: The problem is he embraces our adversaries much better, closer, he is friendly with them than our allies. That's the problem.
TAPPER: OK. We have got to leave it there. Sorry about that. Pardon the interruption.
But have you experienced 15 minutes of reality TV fame and are you now facing 10 to 15 years in the clink? Don't call a law office, call the Oval Office. It's this week's "State of the Cartoonion" next. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:53:24]
TAPPER: Welcome back.
President Trump is enjoying the perks of presidential power and especially the power to pardon. He seems to be enjoying that quite a bit.
But how much is the former reality star mixing his old TV profession with this political one? That's the subject of this week's "State of the Cartoonion."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TAPPER (voice-over): The king of reality TV has a new pilot. It's The Apprentice Pardon Edition.
TRUMP: The reason I'm a so-called as they say reality star is because of my success.
TAPPER: Starring the queen of reality TV herself, Kim Kardashian West, whom the president listened to this week and granted clemency to Alice Marie Johnson.
KIM KARDASHIAN WEST, REALITY TV STAR: I went in to really talk to the president about Alice Johnson.
TRUMP: I thought Kim Kardashian was great.
TAPPER: This new show brings back cameos from several other former "Apprentice" stars. The billionaire is considering pardons for former celebrity "Apprentice" spinoff star Martha Stewart.
MARTHA STEWART, FOUNDER, MARTHA STEWART LIVING OMNIMEDIA: Doesn't have "The Apprentice" anymore so he has a lot of time on his hands.
TAPPER: As well as for former "Apprentice" contestant Rod Blagojevich.
TRUMP: I haven't heard the name since he left "The Apprentice." I just thought it was a very tough sentence.
TAPPER: Meanwhile, former "Apprentice" contestant Dennis Rodman is trying to work his reality TV connections raising his hands for the president's very real upcoming meeting with Kim Jong-un.
DENNIS RODMAN, FORMER NBA STAR: I don't want to take all the credit. I don't want to say I did this, I did that. No, that's not my intention.
TAPPER: Though that seems to be on hold at least for now.
TRUMP: I like Dennis. Dennis was a great rebounder and he wasn't that tall. TAPPER: There's no shortage of reality TV stars in trouble with the law.
[09:55:00]
Perhaps the president could feature "Jersey Shore's" The Situation and help get him out of his real legal situation.
MIKE SORRENTINO, "JERSEY SHORE" STAR: Let's get to the real situation, my man, Donald Trump.
TAPPER: And the reality show presidency, no reality is impossible.
TRUMP: The power to pardon is a beautiful thing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TAPPER: President Trump says making a deal with Kim Jong-un is more about attitude than it is about preparation.
Fareed Zakaria has the national security adviser who would prepare former President Obama for his meetings with world leaders, and that's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
