ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - April 25, 2024

ABC News

25 Apr 202419:07

Summary

TLDRIn a day filled with legal drama, Donald Trump's claim of absolute immunity from criminal prosecution is being tested in the Supreme Court, as his lawyers argue that his actions to overturn the 2020 election are protected under presidential powers. The court is considering the implications for future presidencies. Meanwhile, Harvey Weinstein's rape conviction is overturned by New York's appellate court, citing errors during the trial that affected its fairness. Campus protests against the Gaza war escalate, leading to violent confrontations with police and numerous arrests. Authorities are investigating the death of a man following a struggle with police, captured on body camera footage. The weather presents a severe challenge with tornado watches across several states, and a harrowing landing attempt at L.A.X. ends with a Boeing 747 having to abort its first attempt. The NFL Draft is on the horizon, with thousands of fans gathering in Detroit to witness the event.

Takeaways

📜 Donald Trump's legal battles are taking place in multiple courts, with significant implications for the former president and the scope of presidential immunity.
🏛️ The Supreme Court is considering Trump's claim to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
🎓 A New York appellate court has overturned Harvey Weinstein's rape conviction, citing errors by the judge during the trial and indicating the case is likely to face a retrial.
🚨 Disturbing footage has emerged of police crackdowns on campus protests across the U.S., with officers using force at Emory University and protests escalating at various schools.
🌪️ Severe weather warnings are in place from Texas to Iowa, with millions bracing for four days of storms, including tornado watches across several states.
✈️ A harrowing landing at L.A.X. was caught on camera, showing a 747 bouncing down the runway before the pilot had to abort the landing and try again.
🏈 The NFL Draft is set to begin shortly, with hundreds of thousands of fans gathering in Detroit to see which players will be selected for the top spots.
🤝 The NFL is partnering with the Special Olympics during the draft, bringing young Michigan athletes together with the top draft picks.
🚨 Authorities are investigating the death of a man in Ohio after a confrontation with police, during which he was held down by an officer's knee and claimed he couldn't breathe.
🌎 An ABC News investigation has found that plastic bags intended for recycling in the U.S. may end up in foreign countries, sometimes in facilities involved in illegal dumping or operating without a license.
📊 Walmart, one of the companies involved in the plastic recycling program, has stated they are continuously improving their recycling program and are working on new contracts to ensure proper recycling.

Q & A

What legal battle is Donald Trump currently involved in?
-Donald Trump is involved in a historic legal battle that is unfolding in multiple courts, with the Supreme Court hearing arguments over Trump's claim of absolute immunity and his efforts to avoid prosecution for attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
What was the outcome of the Harvey Weinstein case in New York's appellate court?
-New York's appellate court overturned Harvey Weinstein's rape conviction, citing egregious errors by the judge overseeing the trial. The case, which launched the Me Too movement, is now likely headed for a retrial.
What is the status of the campus protests across the U.S.?
-Campus protests across the U.S. are ongoing, with disturbing images of police crackdowns at Emory University and new pro-Palestinian demonstrations breaking out at more schools. USC has canceled its main graduation ceremony as protesters face a deadline to clear out at Columbia.
What severe weather conditions are expected from Texas to Iowa?
-Millions are bracing for four days of severe storms from Texas to Iowa, with tornado watches across several states at the moment.
What was the issue with the 747 landing at L.A.X.?
-The 747 had a harrowing landing at L.A.X., bouncing down the runway, which forced the pilot to pull up for another try.
What is the current situation with Donald Trump's case at the Supreme Court?
-The Supreme Court is considering whether a president can have immunity for an official act but not for his private conduct. The court is expected to make a ruling by June, and the outcome will likely result in more litigation in the lower courts and a delay of any trial until after the election.
What was David Pecker's role in the case involving Donald Trump?
-David Pecker, the former publisher of 'The National Enquirer,' testified that at Trump's direction, his company made payments to keep quiet about alleged affairs, specifically to former Playboy model Karen McDougal.
Why was the testimony of uncharged crimes at Weinstein's trial deemed unnecessary?
-The testimony of uncharged crimes at Weinstein's trial was deemed unnecessary because it was meant only to establish his propensity to commit the crimes charged, rather than to establish his intent.
What is the current situation with the campus protests at Columbia University?
-Protesters at Columbia University have been given a deadline to clear their tent encampment. They are currently in talks with university officials, with one student stating that the negotiation process has been challenging.
What is the focus of the ABC News investigation into plastic bag recycling?
-The ABC News investigation focuses on the trail of plastic waste that consumers think they are recycling. It reveals that some of the plastic bags marked for recycling in the U.S. end up in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, where they may be involved in illegal dumping or operating without proper licenses.
What was the outcome of the attempted landing at L.A.X.?
-The Lufthansa flight attempting to land at L.A.X. had a rough landing, with the Boeing 747 bouncing down the runway. The pilot decided to go around for another attempt, and the plane was able to land smoothly on the second try without any injuries.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Supreme Court Hears Trump's Absolute Immunity Claim

The Supreme Court is deliberating on Donald Trump's claim to absolute immunity, considering its implications for the presidency and the country's future. Trump's lawyers argue that as president, he is immune from criminal prosecution for official acts, while the prosecution contends that presidents are not above the law. The court is examining if a president can have immunity for official acts but not for personal conduct. Justices appear to be seeking a middle ground that distinguishes between presidential duties and personal actions.

05:00

📰 'National Enquirer' Publisher Testifies in Trump Hush Money Case

David Pecker, former publisher of 'The National Enquirer,' testified in a case involving Donald Trump's alleged hush money payment to conceal an affair before the 2016 election. Pecker stated that the parent company of 'The National Enquirer' purchased the story of Karen McDougal at Trump's direction, which could have been damaging to his campaign. Trump is accused of falsifying business records to hide the payment. Pecker also mentioned discussions with White House officials and Trump's continued interest in McDougal's situation after his election.

10:04

🎬 Harvey Weinstein's Rape Conviction Overturned

In a significant turn of events, Harvey Weinstein's rape conviction was overturned by New York's highest court, which cited 'egregious errors' by the judge during the trial. The court argued that the admission of uncharged sexual acts was unnecessary and prejudiced the case. Weinstein's legal team expressed that they always believed he did not receive a fair trial. The Manhattan D.A. announced plans to retry the case, while Weinstein remains in prison.

15:05

🌎 Campus Protests and the Crackdown on Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations

Protests against the war in Gaza have escalated on college campuses across the U.S., leading to violent confrontations with the police and numerous arrests. At Emory University in Atlanta, a state trooper was seen repeatedly using a taser on a protester. Over 400 people have been detained as pro-Palestinian protesters demand divestment from companies profiting from ties to Israel. Columbia University, where the movement began, has given protesters a deadline to dismantle their encampment, with ongoing negotiations between the protesters and university officials.

🌪 Severe Weather Threat Across the Heartland

Severe weather threatens the heartland of the U.S. with tornado watches in effect for multiple states and over 20 million people on alert. The first round of storms has already produced a confirmed tornado in western Kansas. The most significant tornado threat is anticipated for the area between Omaha and Kansas City. A second round of severe weather is expected to impact the region over the weekend, with the potential for explosive activity along the I-35 corridor, reaching St. Louis and Chicago.

🛍️ The Fate of Recycled Plastic Bags

An 18-month investigation by ABC News has revealed potential mishandling in the recycling of plastic bags. Tracking devices placed in plastic bag recycling bins at Walmart stores across the U.S. showed that some bags ended up thousands of miles away, with some in facilities involved in apparent illegal dumping in Indonesia and others in a facility in Malaysia operating without an import license. Walmart's Chief Sustainability Officer declined an interview but mentioned ongoing improvements to their recycling program.

🚨 Police Confrontation Leads to Death in Ohio

Authorities in Canton, Ohio, have released body camera footage showing the moments leading to the death of Frank Tyson after a confrontation with police. The video shows an officer with his knee on Tyson's upper back for about 30 seconds, during which Tyson screams 'I can't breathe.' Tyson later died in the hospital, and two officers have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

✈️ Lufthansa Flight's Rough Landing at L.A.X.

Passengers on a Lufthansa flight experienced a tense moment as the Boeing 747 they were on bounced down the runway during an attempted landing at Los Angeles International Airport (L.A.X.). The pilot decided to abort the landing and executed a second approach, which resulted in a smooth landing. No injuries were reported from the incident.

🏈 NFL Draft Kicks Off in Detroit

The NFL Draft is set to begin in Detroit with an estimated 400,000 fans in attendance. The event has partnered with the Special Olympics, and top prospects, including quarterback Caleb Williams and running back Jayden Daniels, shared their thoughts on the momentous occasion. Williams, expected to be the first overall pick by the Chicago Bears, expressed his readiness for the moment, while Daniels, a likely second pick, spoke about embracing his destiny.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Absolute Immunity

Absolute immunity refers to the legal concept where certain individuals, such as the President, are protected from criminal prosecution for actions taken in their official capacity. In the video, it is a central theme as Donald Trump's lawyers argue for his absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.

💡Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States, with the power to interpret the Constitution and make binding decisions on legal matters. In the context of the video, the Supreme Court is hearing arguments over Donald Trump's claim of absolute immunity, which is pivotal to the legal drama unfolding.

💡Hush Money Payment

A hush money payment is a sum of money paid to someone to prevent them from revealing potentially damaging information. In the video script, it is mentioned in relation to Donald Trump's alleged efforts to conceal an affair from voters by making a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels, which is part of the criminal trial in New York.

💡Harvey Weinstein

Harvey Weinstein is a former film producer who was convicted of sexual assault but had his conviction overturned by New York's appellate court, as mentioned in the script. His case is significant as it is tied to the broader #MeToo movement and has implications for how sexual assault cases are tried and perceived in the legal system.

💡Campus Protests

Campus protests refer to demonstrations that take place at educational institutions, often concerning political or social issues. The video script discusses protests across U.S. campuses in response to the war in Gaza, highlighting the tensions and conflicts that arise from such events, including police crackdowns and the cancellation of university events.

💡Police Confrontation

A police confrontation involves a face-off or clash between law enforcement officers and individuals or groups. In the video, it is mentioned in the context of a man's death following a struggle with the police, where the man is heard saying 'I can't breathe,' which is a reference to a common phrase used in cases of alleged police brutality.

💡Severe Storms

Severe storms are weather events that pose a significant risk to life and property, including tornadoes, hurricanes, and thunderstorms with large hail or damaging winds. The video script highlights a forecast for severe storms from Texas to Iowa, including tornado watches and the potential impact on millions of people.

💡NFL Draft

The NFL Draft is an annual event where American football teams select eligible players to join their rosters. It is a significant occasion for sports fans and the football industry. In the video, the anticipation for the NFL Draft is palpable, with hundreds of thousands of fans gathering in Detroit to see the top picks.

💡Body Camera Video

Body camera video refers to footage recorded by a wearable camera used by law enforcement officers. It is increasingly used as evidence in cases of police misconduct or to provide transparency in police operations. The video script describes a disturbing body camera video showing a man struggling with officers, which is under investigation.

💡Plastic Bag Recycling

Plastic bag recycling involves the collection and processing of plastic bags for the purpose of reusing the material. The video script discusses an investigation into the fate of plastic bags that are meant for recycling, raising concerns about illegal dumping and the global impact of plastic waste.

💡Attempted Landing

An attempted landing is a try at landing an aircraft, which may or may not be successful on the first try. The video script describes an alarming attempted landing at L.A.X., where a 747 airplane had to bounce down the runway before the pilot pulled up for another try, highlighting the potential dangers and risks associated with aviation.

Highlights

Donald Trump's legal battles are unfolding simultaneously in multiple courts, with the Supreme Court hearing arguments over his claim of absolute immunity.

The Supreme Court is considering the implications of drawing lines between political and personal actions in relation to presidential immunity.

Justice Neil Gorsuch suggests the court is writing a rule that will stand the test of time, indicating the significance of the decision.

The Supreme Court is expected to issue their decision by June, which could delay any trial until after the election.

David Pecker, former publisher of 'The National Enquirer,' testifies about payments made to keep alleged affairs quiet during Trump's 2016 campaign.

Harvey Weinstein's rape conviction is overturned by New York's appellate court, citing egregious errors during the trial.

Emory University experiences a police crackdown on campus protests, with officers seen using tasers on a protester.

USC cancels its main graduation ceremony amidst pro-Palestinian demonstrations and a deadline for protesters to clear out at Columbia.

Authorities are investigating the death of a man following a confrontation with police, where body camera footage captured the man saying, "I can't breathe."

Millions are bracing for four days of severe storms from Texas to Iowa, with tornado watches currently active across several states.

A harrowing landing attempt at L.A.X. sees a 747 bounce down the runway, forcing the pilot to abort and try again.

The NFL Draft is set to begin shortly, with hundreds of thousands of fans gathering in Detroit to see the top picks.

Trump's lawyers argue for absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.

Special Counsel Jack Smith's lawyers argue that presidents are not above the law if they commit crimes.

The Supreme Court justices are considering the distinction between a president's official acts and private conduct regarding immunity.

David Pecker's testimony reveals that Trump inquired about Karen McDougal's situation even after becoming president.

Ashley Judd, one of the women who accused Harvey Weinstein, spoke out about the entitlement to women's bodies in America.

Campus protests over the war in Gaza are spreading to more colleges and universities, with violent confrontations and arrests at Emory in Atlanta.