Ben Carson Defends Story Details in His Past
HOWELL: In U.S. politics, U.S. Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson is slamming a CNN investigation that questioned the validity of biographical stories that are central to his campaign. Carson has said that he was a violent teenager and that religion transformed him. But several childhood friends told CNN they had no recollection of the violent incidents in which Carson described. On Friday, Mr. Carson lashed out at the media. Listen.</s>BEN CARSON (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: All of you guys trying to pile on is actually going to help me because when I go out to these book signings and I see these thousands of people, they say, "Don't let the media get you down. Don't let them disturb you. Please continue to fight for us." See, they understand that this is a witch hunt.</s>HOWELL: Blaming the media. Carson also defended his story of being offered a, quote, "informal" full scholarship to West Point Military Academy. Carson said he turned it down to become a doctor. Despite controversy, Carson is seeing his poll numbers rise in the key nominating state of Iowa. Carson has the support of 23 percent of likely Republican Iowa caucus-goers. That's a jump from 14 percent in August. Carson trails Donald Trump who has 25 percent. Senator Marco Rubio rounds out the top three with 13 percent. Among likely Democratic caucus participants, Hillary Clinton, she leads with 55 percent. Bernie Sanders has 37 percent. And live from New York, Donald Trump, he is set to host "Saturday Night Live" in just a few hours' time. The American TV show is a comedy institution in this country, but some are not laughing. They are calling for a boycott of the broadcast because of Mr. Trump's controversial comments on immigration. But as our Brian Stelter reports, the show has become a political rite of passage in this country.</s>BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Hey there. Saturday night is going to be a very big night for Trump. He's been preparing for days to host "SNL," one of the iconic shows on American TV. He knows a lot is at stake for his campaign. There's also a lot at stake for NBC because they've made the bet that Trump will bring in ratings as well as controversy and attention. He's the latest in a long line of candidates making the required stop on late night</s>TV. DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Great to be here at "Saturday Night Live." But I'll be completely honest -- it's even better for "Saturday Night Live" that I'm here.</s>STELTER (voice-over): He is back. Donald Trump on "SNL" this weekend. But this time, instead of promoting his reality TV show --</s>TRUMP: "The Apprentice".</s>STELTER: He's promoting his presidential campaign.</s>TRUMP: So, let me say this -- Ben Carson is a complete and total loser.</s>STELTER: These days for White House hopefuls, late-night TV stops are as natural as some speeches in Iowa. Weekend trips to New York for "SNL" cameos are almost a requirement. For Hillary Clinton's campaign, being on the first episode of this season was a big victory.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All anyone wants to talk about is Donald Trump.</s>HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Donald Trump? Isn't he the one that's like, uh, you're all losers?</s>SARAH PALIN (R), FORMER ALASKA GOVERNOR: Live from New York, it's Saturday night!</s>STELTER: And everyone remembers Sarah Palin's appearance in 2008, right before the election, with her impersonator, Tina Fey.</s>TINA FEY, ACTRESS/COMEDIAN: And I can see Russia from my house.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who is that?</s>STELTER: One year before Palin's appearance, Senator Barack Obama appeared in a Halloween sketch.</s>BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: May I say you make a lovely bride.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She's a witch!</s>STELTER: Back in 1994, former President George H.W. Bush had a chance to respond to the show's jokes about him.</s>GEORGE H.W. BUSH, FORMER PRESIDENT: I'll have my revenge when the time is right. Not now, wouldn't be prudent at this juncture.</s>STELTER: These politicians know they'll reach millions of viewers by showing a softer side. Sometimes it can be quite serious. Recall Rudy Giuliani on "SNL's" first episode after 9/11.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can we be funny?</s>RUDY GIULIANI, FORMER NYC MAYOR: Why start now?</s>STELTER: Another famous New Yorker, Al Sharpton, actually hosted the show in 2003 while running for president.</s>AL SHARPTON: I like to go clubbing and I do love the ladies.</s>STELTER: But Trump is the first real front-runner to ever host the show.</s>TRUMP: I love what you do. It's great.</s>STELTER: Another mile post in the merging of politics with pop culture. (on camera): Now, for better or worse, I'm sure many people will be talking about Trump, talking about how he performed come Sunday morning. Back to you.</s>HOWELL: Brian Stelter reporting for us. And "POLITICAL MANN", it returns to CNN this weekend. Our own Jonathan Mann will bring you the latest on U.S. politics, the presidential race from the candidates' platforms to the political missteps. In London, you can catch it at 11:30 p.m. Saturday. If you're looking for questions about U.S. politics, send them on Twitter @politicalmann or use #answerman. We'll get to some of those questions. You got to like this story about Charlie Brown. I grew up on that. The timeless "Peanuts" characters are back together for a new movie. We'll give you a behind the scenes look at how it came to life.