[Alisyn Camerota, Co-anchor, New Day:] We have some breaking political news. President Donald Trump is ready to announce the new city where he will accept the Republican nomination. CNN's Jeff Zeleny is live in Jacksonville, Florida, with the breaking details. What have you learned?
[Jeff Zeleny, Cnn Senior Washington Correspondent:] Alisyn, good morning. We are told that President Trump is poised to announce the city where he will accept the nomination for his second term by the Republican Party. I'm told he will announce it as early as tomorrow, perhaps Friday. He, of course, is doing this after saying he did not want the convention to be in Charlotte, North Carolina, after a bit of a dispute there with the Democratic governor. And one reason that Jacksonville is a leading contender, I'm told, not a final choice, but a leading contender is because this is Trump country. There's a Republican mayor here, of course, a Republican City Council, as well as a Republican governor of the state of Florida. But we have spent the last several days here talking to Trump voters, his base supporters about how they view his re-election.
[Zeleny:] From front yards to a store-front campaign office, science of the president's re-election are blossoming in Trump country, which more than ever these days feels like a world away from Washington.
[Courtney Fernandez, Trump Supporter:] Sometimes, you look at him and you go, OK, that may have been crossing a line, but he means well. He loves our country.
[Zeleny:] Here in Jacksonville and northern Florida, the Trump army is mobilizing for November, promoting the president's record, and not dwelling on his rhetoric.
[Steve Adams, Retired Naval Aviator:] For me, specifically, it's the judiciary.
[Zeleny:] Steve Adams, a retired Naval aviator, believes Trump's most important legacy is building a conservative federal bench. That, alone, he says, warrants a second term. It's not that Trump supporters aren't watching events unfold across the country. They simply view them through a different lens than many Americans. From the photo-op outside St. John's Church last week.
[Beverly Slough, Trump Supporter:] I thought he was displaying support for the Christian Church and this that historic church, but I thought he was very brave to walk there.
[Zeleny:] To the blistering criticism from decorated military leaders, like former Defense Secretary James Mattis and Colin Powell.
[Bob Dickson, Trump Supporter:] Mattis has his opinion. Powell has his. But there are so many Republican leaders who are solidly behind the president.
[Zeleny:] Right
[Dickson:] That he's going to continue to have a large base of support.
[Zeleny:] The question is whether that base is enough to win. With one poll after another, showing an erosion for Trump among independents and women. Dean Black, the local Republican chairman said he doesn't believe those polls.
[Dean Black, Chairman, Duval County Republican Party:] I don't think independent voters are going to be turned off in a way that's damaging to President Trump and the Republican Party.
[Zeleny:] In 2016, Trump carried Duval County, which includes all of Jacksonville by slightly more than 1 point and neighboring St. Johns County by more than 30 points. It's that combination he'll need to win Florida again.
[Donald Trump, President Of The United States:] I love Jacksonville! I love it.
[Zeleny:] Jacksonville is now being considered by the Trump campaign for the party's August convention, which prompted cries of outrage today.
[Mayor Lenny Curry, Jacksonville, Florida:] I have no problem with doing my job. I signed up for this.
[Zeleny:] The Trump campaign's TV ads here address the president's style head-on.
[Unidentified Male:] President Trump is not always polite. mister nice guy won't cut it.
[Zeleny:] And that sentiment is echoed in conversations with one Trump voter after another here.
[Karen Deeter, Trump Supporter:] I have issues with his approach to things, but I don't feel the Democratic candidate right now is very strong or would be able to talk the nation further. So, come November, I probably will support him again unless there's just a total collapse.
[Zeleny:] So talking to so many Trump voters, it is clear that they, indeed, are excited. The question is, has the president will he be able to expand beyond his base? It is those voters in the middle, of course, and those who voted for him four years ago, are they excited or exhausted at the prospect of a second term for the president? But it is one of the reasons that Jacksonville is being considered, I'm told, the top contender for the Republican Convention. The president wants to accept it in a place he's welcome. That means Republican leadership and Jacksonville certainly fits that bill. But John, I am told that the president again is likely to make that announcement as early as tomorrow, perhaps on Friday in a presidential tweet.
[Berman:] Yes, no doubt, presidential tweet. I bet you, Republican senators will react to that tweet. They'll see that one. Jeff Zeleny, great to have you in Jacksonville
[Zeleny:] You're right
[Berman:] Your terrific reporting. Thanks for being with us.
[Zeleny:] Sure.
[Berman:] Now, we have a developing story this morning. President Trump reportedly wanted to fire Defense Secretary Mark Esper because he didn't back the president's threat to use active duty troops to put down nationwide protests. The "Wall Street Journal" says advisors talked him out of it, Esper broke with the president last week, saying active duty troops should be used in a law enforcement role only as a last resort. The report says Esper, aware of the president's anger, had actually started to prepare a letter of resignation.
[Camerota:] That's very interesting, John. Thank you. All right, let's talk about how coronavirus spreads. Do asymptomatic people spread it or not? The W.H.O caused a lot of confusion this week. Professor Erin Bromage helps us get the answers to so many COVID questions, next.