February, privately acknowledging he knew the coronavirus could be transmitted through the air and was five times more deadly than the flu, even as he was publicly saying it wasnt. The blockbuster recordings are just some of the revelations in the new book rage, by bob woodward, which contradict the president s statements to the American People and tonight are threatening to upend his reelection campaign. Now, woodward, the legendary journalist who broke the watergate story, says President Trump cooperated with his reporting during 18 onthe record interviews between december and july, but tonight, the president is calling the book a political hit job, and saying he only downplayed the danger from the virus because he didnt want to create a panic, while his rival joe biden is calling the decision to withhold information a lifeanddeath betrayal of the American People. Now, as we come on the air tonight, the coronavirus has killed more than 190,000 here in the u. S. , and there have been more than 6. 3 million confirmed cases nationwide. As you can see, there is a lot of reporting to get to tonight, including Bob Woodwards first interview about this new book with 60 minutes. But were going to begin tonight at the white house where cbs ben tracy is going to lead off our coverage. Good evening, ben. Reporter norah, the white house is in fullon damage control tonight after these these revelations what the president knew and what he told the American People and its all on tape. President trump told bob woodward on february 7, before any known american deaths from the virus, that he knew covid19 was airborne and a deadly threat. Reporter three weeks later, President Trump told the American People a totally different story. Its a little like the regular flu that we have flu shots for, and well essentially have a flu shot for this, in a fairly quick manner. Reporter then on march 19, with nearly 200 americans dead, the president admitted to woodward, in audio obtained by the washington post, that he deliberately mislead the country about the danger. Stay calm. It will go away. You know you know it is going away. Reporter the president knew in early february the virus was highly contagious, but on march 31, with more than 5,000 americans dead, he defended himself this way i think the one thing nobody really knew about this virus was how contagious it was. Its so incredibly contagious. And nobody knew that. Reporter today, President Trump claimed he was just being a good leader by not creating fear. And certainly im not going to drive this country or the world into a frenzy. We want to show confidence. We want to show strength. We want to show strength as a nation. And thats what ive done. And weve done very well. Reporter the bombshell book, titled rage published by Simon Schuster a division of viacomcbs, is based onthe record interviews the legendary egendary journalist conductedry with the president in december and july, apparently recorded with his knowledge. Woodward also writes that dr. Anthony fauci, the nations top Infectious Disease expert, called President Trumps leadership rudderless, said his Attention Span is like a minus number, and his sole purpose is to get reelected. Today, fauci said he doesnt remember saying any of that. You should ask others. I dont recall that at all. Odonnell ben joins us now from the white house. What are we learning about what the president said about some of the generals in his administration . Reporter norah, the book says the president called top military leaders weak and said they were too concerned about a relationship with our allies. And during the time when President Trump was threatening to attack north korea, the book says that general james mattis, his first secretary of defense, went to the National Cathedral several times to pray for the nation under President Trumps command. The book also reveals that later s after those two summits that President Trump and kim jongun had when they started exchanging letters, that President Trump was flattered that kim jongun referred to him as your excellency. Norah. Odonnell so many details in that book. Ben tracy, thank you. And his first interview this sunday for 60 minutes, bob woodward talks to scott pelley about his interviews with the president , including what trump knew early on about just how deadly and infectious coronavirus was. In that february 7 interview, its clear that the president knows what the stakes are, but hes not sharing that with the public at that time. Yes. This is the tragedy. A president of the United States has a duty to warn. The public will understand that, but if they get the feeling theyre not getting the truth, then youre going down the path of deceit and coverup. Odonnell well, you can see more of Scott Pelleys interview with bob woodward, thats this sunday only on 60 minutes. Campaigning in the battleground state of michigan today, joe biden seized on the news from the woodward book and says President Trump, knowingly and willingly lied to the American People. Biden called that a dereliction of duty. Cbs ed okeefe is traveling with biden in michigan. He lied to the american michigan. People. Reporter joe biden today slammed President Trump for failing to tell the public how dangerous the coronavirus was when he knew otherwise, as revealed in Bob Woodwards new book. He had the information. He knew how dangerous it was. While this deadly disease ripped through our nation, he failed to do his job on purpose. It was a lifeanddeath betrayal of the amerdents handling of te pandemic and his decision to withhold information from the public to the current state of the economy. This is a recession created by Donald Trumps negligence, and he is unfit for this job as a consequence of it. Reporter economic concerns are paramount here in michigan. The states lost about 60,000 manufacturing jobs since march. Biden is targeting White Working Class voters who helped mr. Trump narrowly win here four years ago. Polls show the former Vice President leading nationwide and in michigan, but voters generally say the president is the better candidate to fix the economy. So biden today went after his record. Hes on track to be the first president since Herbert Hoover and the Great Depression to see the number of jobs in our economy go down, not up, while being president. Reporter those job losses, of course, are because of the pandemic. In order to turn things around, biden would Tax Companies that move at least some operations offshore and give a tax credit to companies that create jobs here in the u. S. Well see if the president has anything to say about all this when he campaigns here in michigan tomorrow. Norah. Odon more breaking news now, stunning allegations from a whistleblower at the department of Homeland Security who says he was demoted for refusing to change intelligence reports. Now, in what he calls an abuse of power, the official claims he was ordered to suppress information that the president would not like. Now, that includes details about Russian Election interference and the threat posed by white supremacists. Heres cbs jeff pegues. Reporter the complaint alleges that the acting d. H. S. Secretary chad wolf, and acting director of u. S. Citizenship and immigration Ken Cuccinelli ordered intelligence assessments be changed to fit President Trumps political rhetoric. Russia, russia, russia, was a hoax. It was a total hoax. Reporter brian murphy, who oversaw the d. H. S. Intelligence division until last august, is quoted in the complaint alleging that he was told to cease providing intelligence assessments on the threat of russian interference in the election and include reporting on the interference activities by china and iran. And as violence in cities like portland intensified this summer, murphy says he was told to modify intelligence on White Supremacy in a manner that made the threat appear less severe, as well as include information on the prominence of violent leftwing groups and antifa. Mark zaid is murphys attorney information pertaining to russia and the analysis in the intelligence reports was downplayed in order to ensure additional favorable information to President Trump. Which was something mr. Murphy said no, he would not do. Reporter last week, acting secretary wolf said a d. H. S. Intelligence report conitca orritten. In his complaint, murphy says that the pressure to change the intelligence came straight from the white house, through National Security adviser robert obrien. We just got a statement from the white house saying that obrien never sought to dictate such changes. Those are their words. D. H. S. Also got back to us with a statement saying that it flatly denies murphys claims. Norah. Odonnell some stunning charges there. Jeff pegues, thank you. Were going to turn now to those exploding wildfires in the pacific northwest. Oregons governor describes the conditions in her state as a onceinageneration firestorm. Were talking about 50milean hour gusts blasting flames across acres of dry timber. Nearly 100 fires are raging in a almost a dozen western states. Entire towns have been wiped out in oregon and washington, and across the region, massive evacuations are underway, and skies are eerily discolored from smoke and ash. Cbs Lilia Luciano reports tonight from phoenix, oregon. This is insane. Reporter unrelenting, fires pcontinuing to rage throughout oregon, fueled by fierce winds not seen in a generation. Ve communities leveled byires. Att loss of human lives and property due to wildfire in our states history. Reporter nearly three dozen wildfires so widespread they can be seen from space. The fire is moving so fast, some like adamma dye, had no way out except to drive through flames. It was pretty terrifying, just the adrenaline was keeping us going. Reporter parts of california ominous orange ominous orange glow. This is the golden gate bridge, and San Francisco airport in darkness at noon. As wildfires in the state continue to rage out of control, including this one looming in the foothills east of the los angeles. In washington, these were the images from the community of malden, just after flames raced through. Today, state officials toured the destruction. The clearing skies reveal almost nothing left standing. Back in oregon, the destruction includes a nursing home in the devastated town of phoenix, where 89yearold beth hill barely escaped, leaving behind lifetime of memories. Everything i own, all my pictures of my husband and me. Reporter tonight, Washington State had its first reported fatality from a fire, and were also learning that a 12yearold boy and his grandmother were killed in a wildfire in northern oregon. And right now, near portland, more than half of clackamus county is under a levelthree evacuation. That means evacuate immediately. Do not delay. Norah. Odonnell so devastating for so many families. Lilia, thank you. Today, the director of the National Institutes of health disagreed with President Trumps assessment that a vaccine will be ready by election day, saying theres simply no way to make that kind of a prediction. And this as were learning more about why the advance trial of a promising vaccine was suddenly paused. Heres n bst reporter there are sobering details tonight explaining why astrazeneca abruptly halted its vaccine the. K. , reportedly became ill, but no word yet on whether it was caused by the vaccine. And there are still no answers on when a vaccine will be available. Certainly, to try to predict whether it happens on a particular week before or after a particular date in early november is well beyond anything that any scientist right now could tell you and be confident theyreey know what theyre saying. Reporter one particular date in late october is going to look a lot different in los angeles this year. The county saying there will be no trickortreating. But in new york city, once the epicenter of the virus, theres some good news. Indoor dining is set to return later this month. Were now announcing today that we can go to 25 of Indoor Dining with certain restrictions. Reporter todays staurantment means many restaurant owners, like nick livanos can bring back laid off staff. Were very excited. Weve waited for this. Weve been building up to this. The staff is ready and everyone is ready to get back to work. Reporter Indoor Dining here in new york will only be a 25 capacity, and it will have tight restrictions. Every customer will have their temperature checked, and one person from ech party will have to provide information for contact tracing. Meanwhile, the n. F. L. Kicks off its season tomorrow, and for the most part, stands will be empty, g limitedeams are having limited f fans. Norah. Odonnell thats right, football is back. Nikki battiste, thank you. And there is stilws as cb hods new rules what movie makers will have to do in order to win the industry top prize. Theyre not your average garage band. These College Students take their music to a whole new level. And shes not your average scout. Coming up later, what sets her apart from most others. Others. Thats why were a fiduciary, obligated to put clients first. So, what do you provide . 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Starting in 2024, films will have to meet at least two of omur new diversity standards to be nominated for best picture. Those standards include having at least one main character or key supporting character who is a member of an underrepresented racial or ethnic group. The academy also wants more diversity among crew members and marketing teams, and this is a social Justice Campaign oscarssowhite, that began five years ago. Pope francis practiced what he preached today. He made his first public appearance wearing a face mask, and he used Hand Sanitizer before urging his audience at the vatican to look out for the health of others and themselves during the covid pandemic. Francis did remove his mask during his remarks. His weekly appearances resumed last week after being suspended for nearly six months. Campus is alive again with the sound of music at new jerseys montclair state university. Hallelujah odonnell after playing solo for the past six months due to the pandemic, the chorus and orchestra found a unique place to practice together the seventh level of the schools parking garage. One member said the reunion brought tears during the very first piece that they started to play. Glad to see the band back together. Up next, meet a trailblazer. Her dedication to Public Service is about to bring her a rare honor. When the world gets complicated, a lot goes through your mind. How long will this last . Am i prepared for this . Are we prepared for this . With fidelity wealth management, your dedicated adviser can give you straightforward advice and tailored recommendations, with access to taxsmart Investment Strategies designed to help you keep more of what youve earned so youll know youre doing what you can for your family and your future. Thats the clarity you get with fidelity wealth management. You power through chronic migraine 15 or more headache days a month,. 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So, ask your doctor about botox® today. Come on in, were open. All we do is hand you the bag. Simple. Done. We adapt and we change. You know, you just figure it out. Weve just been finding a way to keep on pushing. Look limu someone out there needs help customizing wetheir car insuranceng a way with liberty mutual, so they only pay for what they need. False alarm. Only pay for what you need. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Odonnell odonnell a teenager from arizona is about to join a very cbs jamie yuccas spoke to her about achieving this rare honor. Reporter 17yearold victoria rader always looked up to her eagle scout father and brother. So when boy scouts of america allowed girls in, she joined. What was that like when girls were finally allowed . I was really excited about it, the girls being able to do the same activities, the same merit badges, the same amount of work. Reporter it not only allowed rader to be part of the her way into a troop in 2019 but allowed radder to be part of the inaugural class of females to qualify to earn the prestigious rank of eagle scout, an honor only 6 of members have been able to i think its a great honor to be able to do, being able to get to that rank means youve really fully completed the program and got everything you could out of fully completed the program and got everything you c it. Reporter besides completing outdoor skills, the teens must lead a service project. Rader guided a socially distanced team during the pandemic, building a bench in the Arizona Mountains outside phoenix. Why did you pick that as your project . I wanted to do something in the outdoors and really give back to the community and have something that definitely lasts and is going to be here for a long time. Reporter are you really proud of yourself . Yeah, i am proud of myself. Reporter her father, richard rader, is proud, too. Im glad she was able to do eagle just like all the boys and men for the last 100 years have been able to do. Reporter a historic honor led by family tradition. Jamie yuccas, cbs news, los angeles. Odonnell and victoria goes before the board for final approval in october, and were certainly rooting for her. Well be right back. Was that your grandfather, leading armies to battle . Was that your greataunt, keeping armies alive . Drafting the plans. Taking the pictures. Was it your family members . Who flew. Who fixed. Who fought. Who rose to the occasion. When the world needed them most. Find and honor your ancestors who servered in world war ii. Their stories live on at ancestry. Whove got their eczema under control. With less eczema, you can show more skin. So roll up those sleeves. And help heal your skin from within with dupixent. Dupixent is the first treatment of its kind that continuously treats moderatetosevere eczema, or atopic dermatitis, even between flare ups. 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And a reminder if you cant watch us live, dont forget to set your dvr so you can watch us later. That is tonights edition of the cbs evening news. Im Norah Odonnell in the nations capital, and well see ho havod nig hereomorro caionipons by cbs captd by medice at wg ss. Wgbh. This is the cbs overnight news. Im Catherine Herridge in washington. Thanks for staying with us. The travel industry has been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic, but the Labor Day Weekend brought some encouraging signs at least for the airlines. 2. 2 Million People took to the skies over the fourday holiday. Thats the most since lockdowns began in march. But its still less than half the eight million who flew over labor day last year. Those who do take to the skies are seeing more Touchless Technology designed to keep them safe. Kris van cleave has the story. Reporter before her flight from chicago to fort myers, abby weber is checking a bag in a new way. Put it on the belt. Reporter one that they hope will speed up tou points and encouraging distance during the pandemic. I think its cool. I think it helps not having to talk to an agent. Reporter it uses technology not people to verify identities. There you go. I think it could expedite checking your bags and getting to your gate on time. Reporter its operating at ohare and la guardia airport. They compare that picture with one taken on the spot. Atharhe optional system could eliminate 600 daily interactionings. What happens . It will go through the recognition here and then it will evaporate. Spirit ceo ted christy. Comfort is important to people, and that changes as a result of the coronavirus, and so less interaction can be valued more by certain members of our guests. 79 of business tliers and nearly three quarters of pleasure travellers. If they can check outing of a store or super market using Touchless Technology, they want that at the airport and on the airplane. Reporter at washingtons Reagan National the tsa began testing Similar Technology at a check point this week. The passenger puts their i. D. In the scanner. The tsa officer monitoring the process stays behind plexiglas. Lax is the first in the u. S. To try checkin key of course so you can use your smartphone as a mouse so you never have to touch