Anderson Cooper 360

Chris Christie spent seven days in the ICU after testing positive for Covid-19. Christie helped President Trump prepare for the first 2020 Presidential debate and says he was “wrong to not wear a mask” and urged people to take the virus “very seriously.” Meanwhile, President Trump is falsely claiming the CDC says 85 percent of people wearing masks “catch” the virus. New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman tells Anderson Cooper that President Trump is a small man in a big time. Plus, more than 17 million people have already voted with Election Day still 19 days away. There have been hours-long lines in several states, voter registration glitches in Virginia and disputes over mail-in-voting drop-boxes in Texas and California. Jena Griswold is the Colorado Secretary of State where since 2013 every registered voter is mailed a ballot that they can either put back in the mail or place in a designated drop-box. She joins AC360 to discuss her concerns about what’s going on in other states and says “despite the roadblocks that are being put up, Americans are showing up in record numbers” and it’s a “great thing for our democracy.”

Airdate: October 15, 2020

Guests:

Tom Friedman

Jena Griswold

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In an open letter signed by 80 scientists from around the world, they claim the idea of herd immunity is a “dangerous idea” that could lead to unnecessary deaths and economic turmoil while President Trump continues to hold large rallies with little mask-wearing and no social distancing. William Haseltine, Chair and President of ACCESS Health International, said he is “extremely concerned that the President is being advised by people who speak of herd immunity” and said it is “another word for mass murder.” Dr. Richard Besser is the former Acting Director of the CDC. He tells Anderson Cooper if “people all were to wear masks, we’d have a lot more economic activity than we currently have.” Plus, according to the Washington Post, a Trump-hyped investigation into whether Obama-era officials improperly requested names redacted in U.S. intelligence documents or “unmasking” has concluded without any charges. John Brennan and James Clapper both worked for the Obama administration, Brennan as CIA Director and Clapper as the Director of National Intelligence. They join AC360 to react to the conclusion of the investigation and Brennan says it was clearly a “politically motivated probe.”

Airdate: October 14, 2020

Guests:

Dr. Richard Besser

John Brennan

Lt. Gen. James Clapper (Ret.)

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For a second day, Judge Amy Coney Barrett took questions from Senate Judiciary Committee members on Capitol Hill on topics ranging from the Affordable Care Act to Roe v. Wade and legalization of same-sex marriage. Judge Barrett declined to give answers on how she would rule on those matters after repeated questions from Democrats. Senator Amy Klobuchar was one of those Democrats questioning Judge Barrett. She tells Anderson Cooper Judge Barrett’s record is the polar opposite of what Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg stood for her whole life. Plus, New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo has seen the extreme rise and fall of Covid-19 cases in his state. New York was the first epicenter of the virus where more than 33,000 people have died. Governor Cuomo joins AC360 to discuss the status of the recent flare ups in New York City and reacts to President Trump’s mask-less campaign rallies.

Airdate: October 13, 2020

Guests:

Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Sen. Amy Klobuchar

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President Trump had his first campaign rally, without a mask, since testing positive for Covid-19. He told the Florida crowd he feels “powerful” and would “kiss everyone.” Those comments come as cases across the country are rising and U.S. deaths near 215,000. Dr. Anthony Fauci, a White House Coronavirus Task Force Member, says holding political rallies is “asking for trouble.” Dr. Aileen Marty is an Infectious Disease Expert at Florida Atlantic University and she tells Anderson Cooper events like the Trump rally will cause more cases and the messaging is “completely wrong.” Plus, Tony Green supports President Trump and thought the coronavirus was a hoax until he had a family gathering at his house in June and all six people, including him, tested positive for Covid-19. It continued to spread and 14 family members ended up getting sick and two eventually died. He joins AC360 to describe the guilt he has for pushing the family to get together.

Airdate: October 12, 2020

Guests:

Dr. Aileen Marty

Tony Green

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President Trump plans to hold an in-person event at the White House with thousands invited just a little more than a week after revealing on Twitter he had tested positive for Covid-19 and was hospitalized for symptoms. He’s also planned a rally in Florida just a few days later despite the obvious risk of the virus spreading. Dr. Sanjay Gupta is CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent and he tells AC360 the mass gathering at the White House, which falls exactly two weeks after the event Dr. Anthony Fauci called a super spreader event, is reckless and a terrible idea. Plus, Hurricane Delta made landfall near Creole, Louisiana as a Category 2 storm with winds near 100 mph. Delta is the fourth major storm to hit Louisiana this year. Tom Sater, an AMS and CNN Meteorologist joins AC360 to give an update on the path of the storm and the expected storm surge.

Airdate: October 9, 2020

Guests:

Dr. Sanjay Gupta

Tom Sater

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