Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died due to complications of pancreas cancer at 87. Ginsburg died surrounded by her family. She was appointed by Bill Clinton in 1993 and has served as the most senior member of the court’s liberal wing. Betsy West, director of the documentary "RBG,” joins AC360 to discuss the life and legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.   Airdate: September 18, 2020   Guest: Betsy West See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Anderson Cooper 360

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies at 87

CDC Director Robert Redfield told a Senate Committee he thinks a Covid-19 vaccine won’t be available to the American public until the late second quarter or third quarter of 2021. When asked about Redfield’s comments, President Trump said he was “confused” and “made a mistake” and then went on to claim a vaccine could be ready by October. The CDC later said Redfield misunderstood the questions during the hearing and his 2021 vaccine comment was when all Americans would be vaccinated. Dr. Eric Topol, Executive Vice President at Scripps Research, tells Anderson Cooper he believes Dr. Redfield was telling the truth and “it’s like a circus act in the midst of an important pandemic.” Plus, Michael Caputo, the top spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services, who claimed, without evidence, the CDC has a “resistance unit” to work against the President, announced he’s taking a two-month "medical leave of absence” following his apology for the conspiracy-laden rant. Anthony Scaramucci, former White House Communications Director joins AC360 to react to Caputo’s comments and says when it’s corrupt at the top, it spills over into everybody.   Airdate: September 16, 2020   Guests: Dr. Eric Topol Anthony Scaramucci See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Trump: Redfield was "confused" and "made a mistake" on vaccine distribution timeline

Bob Woodward interviewed President Trump 18 times for his new book “Rage.” Trump talked to Woodward about a wide variety of topics from his handling of Covid-19 saying “nothing more could have been done” to meeting with the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, saying “what do we have to lose?” Bob Woodward joins AC360 to explain why after all his interviews with Trump and others in his administration, he thinks “Trump is the wrong man for the job.”   Airdate: September 15, 2020   Guest: Bob Woodward See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Bob Woodward: “Trump is the wrong man for the job”

When speaking to Bob Woodward back in April when nearly 30,000 Americans had already died from Covid-19, President Trump admitted that the virus “is a killer if it gets you. If you’re the wrong person, you don’t have a chance.” Meanwhile, he was telling the public the country needs to reopen and the return of live sports. Carl Bernstein, journalist, author and CNN Political Analyst, joins AC360 to react to the President’s comments and says “we’re witnessing a homicidal president.” Plus, a top spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services claimed, without evidence, the Center for Disease Control has a “resistance unit” to work against Trump. Michael Caputo, a defender of the President, made these claims after sources told CNN he and his team demanded to see weekly CDC documents before they were released. Dr. Tom Frieden, former Director at the CDC, tells Anderson Cooper the virus responds to “science-driven action” and what we’re seeing is “an attempt to meddle with science.”   Airdate: September 14, 2020   Guests:  Carl Bernstein Dr. Tom Frieden See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Trump: “This thing is a killer if it gets you”

New Covid-19 projection: 415,000 deaths by January 1 As the U.S. Covid-19 death toll nears 200,000, an influential model projects nearly 415,000 deaths by January 1. That number decreases to around 298,000 if there is 95% universal mask wearing. Right now mask use is slipping below 45%. Dr. Chris Murray is the director of the group at the University of Washington that’s been working on these models throughout the pandemic. He joins AC360 to explain how important mask wearing is and predicts the U.S. will see a “deadly December.” Plus, in August after NBA players boycotted their playoff games following the shooting of Jacob Blake, the Black man who was shot seven times in the back by a police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Kenny Smith, former NBA champion and Analyst for Inside the NBA on TNT, walked off the set saying “as a black man, as a former player, I think it's best for me to support the players and just not be here tonight.” He tells Anderson Cooper sometimes you need to talk about the march but other times you need to join the march and he said he thought it was a “join the march moment.” Airdate: September 11, 2020 Guests: Dr. Chris Murray Kenny Smith See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

New Covid-19 projection: 415,000 deaths by January 1

Bob Woodward’s new book, “Rage,” reveals President Trump admitted in early February he knew just how dangerous, highly contagious, and "deadly" the coronavirus was weeks before there was the first confirmed case in the United States. Then in March, Trump told Woodward “I wanted to always play it down” yet the White House is saying “the President never downplayed the virus.” Dr. Craig Spencer is the Director of Global Health in Emergency Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center and has been on the frontlines of this deadly virus in New York City for months. He joins AC360 to react to Trump’s comments and says “I’m furious because many of those deaths didn’t need to happen if we took the right steps early on and got prepared like we needed to and the President clearly knew we needed to.”  Woodward’s book also claims an aide to former Defense Secretary James Mattis heard the President say in a meeting "my f---ing generals are a bunch of p***ies" because they cared more about alliances than trade deals. Retired Lt. Gen. James Clapper served as Director of National Intelligence under President Obama and is a CNN National Security Analyst. He tells Anderson Cooper these comments are “just more stunning reinforcement of the President’s real distain for the military.” Airdate: September 9, 2020 See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

New book reveals Trump knew in early February that Covid-19 was dangerous, highly contagious, and "deadly"

President Trump is back on the campaign trail days after the bombshell Atlantic report claiming he disparaged the military. In several conversations since the story was published, Trump has adamantly denied the comments and bragged about what he’s done for the military. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, a U.S. Army veteran who lost both her legs while serving in Iraq, joins AC360 to react to the President’s alleged comments. She says if you set aside the article that nobody disbelieves because it’s very consistent with who Donald Trump is, “he’s done a number of other things that are very consistent that shows that he is not fit to be Commander-in-Chief.” Plus, nine vaccine makers have signed a joint safety pledge in the race for a Covid-19 vaccine. The pledge says they will uphold “high ethical standard,” suggesting they won’t seek premature government approval. President Trump has frequently pushed for a fast vaccine timeline, even hinting there would be one before Election Day. William Haseltine, Chair and President of ACCESS Health International, tells Anderson Cooper “a rush to a vaccine without due caution is a very dangerous thing.” Airdate: September 8, 2020 See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Three Trump advisers: Atlantic story losing punch unless sources go public with allegations

President Trump forcefully denied a report in The Atlantic magazine that claimed he disparaged U.S. service members killed in battle. The report also alleges that Trump chose to skip a ceremony honoring veterans and said “Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.” Trump said the allegations are a hoax and nobody feels more strongly about our soldiers and veterans than he does. CNN has not been able to independently confirm The Atlantic’s report. Maj. General Paul Eaton joins AC360 to react to the report and says this President doesn’t understand the nature of respect and says he has to go. Plus, an influential Covid-19 model says there will be 410,000 coronavirus deaths in the next four months if mask use wanes despite President Trump saying we’re “rounding the corner.” William Haseltine, Chair and President of ACCESS Health International joins AC360 to react to the latest projections.    Airdate: September 4, 2020   Guests: Maj. General Paul Eaton (Ret.) William Haseltine See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Trump says report that he called U.S. service members who died in war “losers” and “suckers” is a hoax

Joe Biden traveled to Wisconsin to speak with Jacob Blake’s family and community leaders in Kenosha. Biden also spoke with Jacob Blake, the Black Wisconsin man who was shot seven times in the back by a police officer, about faith and Blake’s determination to not give up. Benjamin Crump, the Blake family attorney, joins AC360 to discuss how the family’s visit with Biden went and says “the meeting was hopeful, spiritual and at times very substantive.” Plus, seven Rochester police officers have been suspended over the death of Daniel Prude back in March. Prude, a Black man, died after he was pinned to the ground on his stomach. Video released shows officers covering the man’s head with a “spit sock” and holding him on the ground before he stopped breathing. Charles Ramsey, former Philadelphia Police Commissioner, walks AC360 through the disturbing video    Airdate: September 3, 2020   Guests: Benjamin Crump Charles Ramsey See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Jacob Blake tells Joe Biden he’s not going to give up and nothing is going to defeat him

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has told states across the country to prepare for a possible Covid-19 vaccine as soon as late October. Robert Redfield, the Director of the CDC, says his agency is preparing for one or more coronavirus vaccines to be ready by the end of the year. Saskia Popescu is an Infectious Disease Epidemiologist and she tells AC360 this is “extremely concerning” and “very premature.” Plus, President Trump claimed there was a flight to Washington that was “almost completely loaded with thugs wearing these dark uniforms” set on causing destruction in the streets during the Republican National Convention. Attorney General William Barr said authorities were tracking people who had flown from city to city to stir up violence but said Trump was speaking “in general terms.” Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu is one of two House Democrats who sent a letter to FBI Director Chris Wray asking if the FBI has been tasked with investigating the theory. He joins AC360 and says Barr was once again “making stuff up” because the President was very specific about the details.    Airdate: September 2, 2020   Guests:  Saskia Popescu Rep. Ted Lieu See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

CDC tells states to get ready for vaccines as soon as late October

At a roundtable event during President Trump’s visit to Kenosha, he neither addressed systematic racism nor met with Jacob Blake’s family, the Black man who was shot seven times by a police officer in Kenosha. The only two Black people in attendance were two pastors for Jacob Blake’s mother. They were asked whether they believe police violence was a systematic issue and the President interjected saying, “I don't believe that. I think the police do an incredible job and I think you do have some bad apples." Justin Blake, Jacob Blake’s uncle, joins AC360 to react to the President’s comments and says “he’s a lying president—racial things he said invoked and empowered police officers all over the country to reign down hate upon African Americans.” Plus, a National Institutes of Health panel says there’s no evidence backing the use of convalescent plasma to treat Covid-19 despite the FDA issuing an emergency use authorization just a week prior and the President declaring it a historic breakthrough. Dr. Eric Topol, Executive Vice President at Scripps Research, disagreed with Trump and the FDA. He wrote a letter to Dr. Stephen Hahn, the FDA Commissioner, telling him he should either tell the truth or resign. He tells AC360 he doesn’t expect Dr. Hahn to hold a press conference and tell the truth. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Trump doesn’t address systematic racism during Kenosha visit

President Trump refused to denounce the actions of his supporters in Portland and Wisconsin. Trump also said Kyle Rittenhouse, who is facing homicide charges as well as a felony charge for attempted homicide, “probably would have been killed” had he not fatally shot two protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The President warned Americans that the violence they’re seeing in cities right now is what a Biden presidency would be like. Van Jones, former Special Adviser to President Obama and a CNN Political Commentator, tells Anderson Cooper Trump loves to act like the tough guy but he often is whining and complaining.  Plus, Trump also went into a lengthy defense apparently aimed at police officers who he says “choke” and went on to say, “We don’t want to have, when somebody makes a mistake, he chokes, or in some cases you have bad cops, we have to take care of that. In other cases they choke. They’re under – they have a quarter of a second. A quarter of a second to make a decision, and sometimes they make the wrong decision. If they make the wrong decision you know if they make the wrong decision in the other direction they’re probably dead.” Charles Ramsey, former Philadelphia Police Commissioner joins AC360 to react to the President’s comments and says he thinks it’s a “slap in the face to the men and women across the country who face danger every single day and believe me, they do not choke.” Airdate: August 31, 2020   Guests: Van Jones Charles Ramsey See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Trump refuses to denounce violent actions by right-wing agitators

Jacob Blake, a Black Wisconsin resident who was shot seven times in the back by a White police officer who tried to detain him in Kenosha, is no longer handcuffed to his hospital bed after a warrant for his arrest was vacated. Blake is paralyzed from the waist down and family members said seeing him shackled to the hospital bed was heartbreaking. Jacob Blake Sr. was in Washington, D.C. for the March on Washington and told the crowd, “And we're not taking it anymore, I ask everyone to stand up. No justice, no peace!" He joins AC360 to give an update on his son and says his son asked him why he was shot so many times. Plus, Mary Trump, President Trump’s niece, has new audio recordings of her aunt Maryanne Trump Barry, President Trump’s sister, talking about her brother and his family. She tells Anderson Cooper the reason she secretly recorded these conversations was to protect herself and she understands “how this family operates and you need to bring receipts.”    Airdate: August 28, 2020   Guests:  Jacob Blake Sr. Mary Trump   See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Jacob Blake's father: "We're not taking it anymore, I ask everyone to stand up"

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized the emergency use of convalescent plasma to help treat patients with Covid-19 saying the “known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks of the product.” President Trump claimed “political reasons” held up this treatment after he accused members of the FDA of being part of the “deep state.” William Haseltine, Chair and President of ACCESS Health International, tells Anderson Cooper “the data does not support the approval of this drug” and it’s “a very modest improvement for people who take it very early, if it’s an improvement at all.” Plus, the Republican National Convention is set begin and details are beginning to emerge about the schedule and speakers for the 4-day event. President Trump is expected to make an appearance every night of the RNC. One of his appearances will be with a group of doctors, nurses and EMTs who have been on the frontlines of the coronavirus crisis. Former Republican Senator Rick Santorum joins AC360 and says he thinks there will be a lot of comparisons about Joe Biden and President Barack Obama’s handling of the H1N1 virus and admits he thinks the President “rhetorically has handled the Covid-19 crisis horribly.” Airdate: August 23, 2020

FDA authorizes Covid-19 treatment

President Trump says his administration is delivering “one victory after another” as more than 175,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus. A key model now projects 310,000 Covid-19 related deaths by December but nearly 70,000 lives could be saved if people wear masks consistently. Dr. Chris Murray is the director of the group at the University of Washington that’s been working on these models throughout the pandemic. He tells Anderson Cooper in order to help save almost 70,000 Americans, political leaders, business leaders and community leaders need to take charge and put mask mandates with “some teeth” in place. Plus, Steven Bannon is calling his arrest a “political hit job.” The former White House Chief Strategist was arrested on federal charges of fraud tied to a fundraising campaign allegedly trying to help Trump’s border wall. Anthony Scaramucci briefly worked alongside Bannon in the White House and it was pretty well-known the two didn’t get along. He joins AC360 to react to Bannon’s arrest and says he’s “just not a good guy.” Airdate: August 21, 2020

Covid-19 model projects 310,000 U.S. deaths by December

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