Nightly News Full Broadcast - May 16
Summary
TLDRIn a dramatic courtroom scene, Donald Trump's attorney accuses Michael Cohen of lying under oath regarding a 2016 call about hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. Meanwhile, President Biden asserts executive privilege to withhold recordings of his interview with the special counsel. Elsewhere, a Texas governor pardons a man convicted of murdering a Black Lives Matter protester, and a Kansas City Chiefs kicker faces backlash for a commencement speech deemed sexist and homophobic. Additionally, a stolen statue of baseball legend Jackie Robinson is being restored, thanks to community efforts and donations.
Takeaways
- 📢 Donald Trump's attorney accused Michael Cohen of lying during cross-examination, casting doubt on Cohen's testimony regarding a 2016 phone call about hush money payments to Stormy Daniels.
- 🎙️ Michael Cohen, former 'fixer' for Trump, faced a second day of intense cross-examination, with the defense suggesting he was driven by revenge and seeking to discredit his testimony.
- 🔍 New text messages were presented by Trump's attorney, Todd Blanche, suggesting that the call Cohen referred to was about a prank caller and not about the payments to Daniels.
- 🤔 Cohen appeared blindsided by the new evidence and could not definitively confirm that the phone call was with President Trump, damaging his credibility as a star witness.
- 🏛 President Biden has asserted executive privilege to prevent the release of recordings of his interview with the special counsel regarding classified documents found at his home.
- 🌧️ A high-risk alert for life-threatening flash floods in the South has been issued, with dangerous storms being called a 'nightmare scenario'.
- 🏆 The Texas Governor pardoned a man convicted of murdering a Black Lives Matter protester, citing Texas' 'stand your ground' law as justification.
- 🚨 A Florida neighborhood was terrorized by gunmen with high-powered firearms, who unleashed a barrage of bullets in a 15-second attack.
- 🏈 The Kansas City Chiefs' kicker, Harrison Butker, is under fire for his commencement speech at a Catholic college, which critics called sexist and homophobic.
- 💊 A new drug, Elinzanetant, is showing promising results in treating menopause symptoms, but its high cost and insurance coverage limitations may hinder access for some women.
- 🚑 An NBC News investigation reveals that most ambulances in the U.S. do not carry blood on board, which could be a critical lifeline for trauma patients and save tens of thousands of lives a year.
Q & A
What is the main courtroom drama involving Donald Trump's attorney and Michael Cohen?
-The main courtroom drama involves Donald Trump's attorney accusing Michael Cohen of lying on the stand about a 2016 phone call concerning the hush money payment to Stormy Daniels.
How did the defense team attempt to undermine Michael Cohen's credibility?
-The defense team tried to undermine Michael Cohen's credibility by highlighting his history of lies, portraying him as driven by revenge, and confronting him with his eagerness to see his former boss, Mr. Trump, suffer.
What was the key moment in the cross-examination of Michael Cohen?
-The key moment was when Trump's attorney, Todd Blanche, accused Cohen of lying about a phone call with Mr. Trump regarding the hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, suggesting the call was for another purpose.
What was the nature of the phone call that Michael Cohen claimed to have had with Mr. Trump?
-Michael Cohen claimed to have had a phone call with Mr. Trump on October 24, 2016, during which he informed Mr. Trump that the deal to pay off Stormy Daniels would be done.
What evidence did the defense present to challenge Cohen's testimony about the phone call?
-The defense presented never-before-seen text messages and call logs showing that the call on October 24th lasted only 97 seconds, implying that the phone was never passed to Mr. Trump as Cohen claimed.
What is the significance of the phone call in the case against Mr. Trump?
-The phone call is significant because it is part of the evidence that Mr. Trump allegedly had advanced knowledge of the plan to pay off Daniels to protect his campaign and later signed off on a scheme to repay Cohen, falsifying business records to disguise his reimbursements.
How did President Biden assert executive privilege in relation to the investigation of classified documents?
-President Biden asserted executive privilege to prevent Congress from obtaining recordings of his interview with the special counsel regarding the investigation of classified documents found at his home.
What is the controversy surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs kicker's commencement speech?
-The controversy is that the kicker, Harrison Butker, gave a commencement speech at Benedictine College that critics say was sexist and homophobic, leading to calls for the NFL to remove him from the Chiefs.
What is the situation in Gaza regarding the U.S. military's humanitarian aid efforts?
-The U.S. military has anchored a pier off the Gaza Strip and will begin using landing craft to shuttle humanitarian aid to the coast, despite Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's warning that this could put U.S. troops at risk.
Why are some hospitals and blood banks not keeping whole blood in stock?
-Hospitals and blood banks often store blood's component parts instead of whole blood because it is tradition, it's cheap, and it's available, not necessarily because it's the best option for trauma situations.
What is the significance of carrying whole blood on ambulances for trauma patients?
-Carrying whole blood on ambulances can be life-saving for trauma patients, as it is the best product for treating severe bleeding and can help stabilize patients before they reach the hospital.
What is the issue with reimbursement for blood given on the way to the hospital?
-Neither Medicaid, Medicare, nor private insurers pay for blood given on the way to the hospital, which may contribute to the lack of whole blood being carried on most ambulances.
What was the impact of the theft of the Jackie Robinson statue in Wichita, Kansas?
-The theft of the Jackie Robinson statue left the community and the youth baseball fields, League 42, without an important symbol of inspiration and courage. However, donors raised over $100,000 to rebuild the monument.
How is the new statue of Jackie Robinson being recreated?
-The new statue is being recreated by a skilled team at Art Castings of Colorado, who are using the original molds crafted by the late sculptor, Kansas artist John Parsons, to cast and paint an identical statue.
Outlines
👨⚖️ Courtroom Showdown: Michael Cohen's Cross-Examination
In a dramatic courtroom scene, Michael Cohen, former attorney for Donald Trump, faced a scathing cross-examination by Trump's defense attorney Todd Blanche. Cohen, who has already spent 14 hours on the witness stand, was accused of lying about a phone call with Trump regarding hush money payments to Stormy Daniels in 2016. The defense team attempted to discredit Cohen by highlighting his history of lies and suggesting he was motivated by revenge. A key moment was when Blanche accused Cohen of lying about Trump's bodyguard Keith Schiller passing the phone to Trump, arguing that the call was actually about a prank caller and not Daniels. Cohen appeared blindsided by the new evidence and maintained that he did speak to Trump about the matter. The trial is nearing its end, with the significant question remaining of whether Trump will testify.
🎙️ Controversial Commencement Speech by NFL Player
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has stirred controversy following a commencement speech at Benedictine College, where he criticized LGBTQ rights, abortion, IVF, and surrogacy, and advised female graduates to focus on being homemakers. Despite receiving a standing ovation, many have condemned the speech as sexist and homophobic, leading to a petition signed by over 140,000 people calling for Butker's removal from the Chiefs. The NFL has distanced itself from Butker's views, stating that they are not representative of the league and that he gave the speech in his personal capacity. Neither Benedictine College, the Chiefs, nor Butker have commented on the situation.
🛑 Life-Saving Blood Shortage in Ambulance Services
An NBC News investigation has highlighted a critical issue in emergency medical services: the lack of whole blood on board most ambulances. While San Antonio, Texas, and Birmingham, Alabama, have implemented the practice of carrying blood on some of their emergency vehicles, 99% of the country does not follow suit. The investigation shares the story of a 6-year-old girl who was saved by the immediate availability of whole blood after vomiting blood post-surgery. Experts, including former military doctors, advocate for the use of whole blood in trauma situations, arguing it is more effective than the standard IV fluids used by many hospitals and blood banks. However, financial constraints, as neither Medicare, Medicaid, nor private insurers pay for blood given en route to the hospital, are a significant barrier to change. The issue is pressing, as 40 million Americans live more than an hour away from a trauma center, and lives are being lost due to the absence of blood in ambulances.
🚨 Restoration of Jackie Robinson Statue After Theft
Months after a beloved statue of baseball legend Jackie Robinson was stolen, an effort to restore the monument is underway. The statue, which stood at a ballpark in Wichita, Kansas, was a symbol of inspiration for underprivileged city youth playing on League 42 baseball fields. After the theft, donors raised over $100,000 to rebuild the statue. A team at Art Castings of Colorado is now working to recreate the iconic Dodger statue using the original molds made by the late sculptor and Kansas artist John Parsons. The statue's restoration is a testament to Robinson's enduring legacy and the community's commitment to honoring his spirit, which is set to be unveiled later in the summer.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Cross-examination
💡Hush money payment
💡Executive privilege
💡Flash floods
💡Pardon
💡High-powered firearms
💡Commencement speech
💡Nonhormonal option
💡Trauma center
💡Reimbursement
💡Statue restoration
Highlights
Donald Trump's attorney accuses Michael Cohen of lying on the stand during cross-examination.
Cohen, Trump's former fixer, faces a scathing cross-examination, casting doubt on a 2016 call regarding hush money payment to Stormy Daniels.
President Biden asserts executive privilege over recordings of his interview with the special counsel, criticizing his memory.
A high-risk alert for life-threatening flash floods in the South, with dangerous storms called a nightmare scenario.
Texas Governor pardons a man convicted of murdering a Black Lives Matter protester.
Gunmen with high-powered firearms terrorize a Florida neighborhood, unleashing a barrage of bullets.
Kansas City Chiefs kicker under fire for his commencement speech urging women to be homemakers and blasting the LGBTQ community.
Community comes together to help restore a beloved Jackie Robinson statue after thieves made off with it.
Key moment in trial as Trump attorney Todd Blanche accuses Cohen of lying about a phone call with Trump on hush money payments.
Cohen's credibility is key to the state's case as he is the only one testifying that Trump had advanced knowledge of the plan to pay off Daniels.
Trump's defense argues nothing was falsified and challenges prosecutors on Trump's intent to shield his campaign from Daniels' story.
Cohen maintains his composure when pressed about his criminal history, including being convicted of lying under oath and being disbarred.
Defense suggests Cohen is not telling the full story about his desire for a White House job, which Trump never offered him.
Jury pays close attention as the defense accuses Cohen of lying under oath about the phone call.
Governor Abbott's pardon justified by Texas' stand your ground law in the case of a former U.S. Army sergeant convicted of murder.
Neighborhood in South Florida experiences a terrifying night with a barrage of gunfire targeting a car with high-powered weapons.
NFL on defense after backlash over a controversial graduation speech by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, criticized as sexist and homophobic.
U.S. military sets up a pier in Gaza to shuttle humanitarian aid to the coast, despite the risk to U.S. troops.
A new drug, Elinzanetant, shows promising results in treating menopause symptoms, but its high cost and insurance coverage may be a barrier.
Doctors and first responders sound the alarm about the lack of whole blood on most ambulances, which could save tens of thousands of lives a year.
Restoration of a stolen statue of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, with donors raising over $100,000 to rebuild the monument.
Transcripts
COURTROOM DRAMA.
DONALD TRUMP'S
ATTORNEY ACCUSING
MICHAEL COHEN OF LYING
ON THE STAND.
COHEN, MR. TRUMP'S
FORMER FIXER, BACK
UNDER A SCATHING
CROSS-EXAMINATION.
THE DEFENSE APPEARING
TO CATCH COHEN OFF
GUARD, CASTING DOUBT
ON A 2016 CALL HE SAID
HE HAD WITH TRUMP OVER
THE HUSH MONEY PAYMENT
TO STORMY DANIELS,
SAYING, QUOTE, THAT IS
A LIE.
HOW COHEN RESPONDED AS
HE FACED ANOTHER DAY
ON THE STAND.
>>> ALSO TONIGHT,
PRESIDENT BIDEN
ASSERTING EXECUTIVE
PRIVILEGE OVER
RECORDINGS OF HIS
INTERVIEW WITH THE
SPECIAL COUNSEL WHO
ENDED UP CRITICIZING
HIS MEMORY.
>>> A RARE HIGH RISK
ALERT FOR LIFE
THREATENING FLASH
FLOODS IN THE SOUTH.
THE DANGEROUS STORMS
BEING CALLED A
NIGHTMARE SCENARIO.
>>> JUST IN, THE MAN
CONVICTED OF MURDERING
A BLACK LIVES MATTER
PROTESTER.
WHY THE TEXAS GOVERNOR
JUST PARDONED HIM.
>>> A FLORIDA
NEIGHBORHOOD
TERRORIZED.
GUNMEN WITH
HIGH-POWERED FIREARMS
UNLEASHING A BARRAGE
OF BULLETS.
A SEARCH FOR ANSWERS.
>>> THE KANSAS CITY
CHIEFS KICKER UNDER
FIRE FOR HIS
COMMENCEMENT SPEECH,
URGING WOMEN TO BE
HOMEMAKERS, AND
BLASTING THE LGBTQ
COMMUNITY.
WHAT THE NFL IS NOW
SAYING.
>>> AND AFTER THIEVES
MADE OFF WITH A
BELOVED JACKIE
ROBINSON STATUE, THE
COMMUNITY COMING
TOGETHER TO HELP A
LEGEND RISE AGAIN.
>> Announcer: THIS IS
"NBC NIGHTLY NEWS"
WITH LESTER HOLT.
>> GOOD EVENING AND
WELCOME.
A GRUELING DAY FOR
DONALD TRUMP ACCUSER
MICHAEL COHEN AS THE
FORMER PRESIDENT'S
LAWYER WORKED TO SHAKE
OFF SOME OF THE
SPARKLE FROM THE
PROSECUTION'S STAR
WITNESS.
COHEN HAS NOW SPENT A
TOTAL OF 14 HOURS ON
THE WITNESS STAND THIS
WEEK, FACING
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY
CONVERSATION ATTORNEY
TODD BLANCHE.
DIVING ONCE MORE INTO
COHEN'S HISTORY OF
LIES, PAINTING HIM AS
DRIVEN BY REVENGE AND
CONFRONTING HIM WITH
HIS EAGERNESS TO SEE
HIS FORMER BOSS ROT
INSIDE.
AND IN A KEY MOMENT,
LEADING COHEN TO
CONTRADICT HIS OWN
TESTIMONY ABOUT A
PHONE CALL HE SAYS HE
HAD WITH MR. TRUMP
REGARDING THE HUSH
MONEY PAYMENTS AT THE
CENTER OF THIS CASE.
TONIGHT, THE TRIAL
BARRELING TOWARD ITS
CONCLUSION, BUT WITH
KEY DECISIONS STILL TO
BE MADE, INCLUDING
WILL DONALD TRUMP
TESTIFY.
ONCE AGAIN, LAURA
JARRETT LEADS OUR
COVERAGE.
>> Reporter: TONIGHT,
STAR PROSECUTION
WITNESS MICHAEL COHEN
FACING A SCATHING
SECOND DAY OF
CROSS-EXAMINATION AS
FORMER PRESIDENT
TRUMP'S DEFENSE TEAM
TRIES TO PAINT HIM AS
A SPURNED FORMER
EMPLOYEE, DESPERATE
FOR PAYBACK.
>> I TRULY [ BLEEP ]
HOPE THAT THIS MAN
ENDS UP IN PRISON.
>> Reporter: THE JURY
HEARING COHEN ON HIS
PODCAST, APPEARING IN
SEARCH OF VENGEANCE.
>> REVENGE IS A DISH
BEST SERVED COLD, AND
YOU BETTER BELIEVE I
WANT THIS MAN TO GO
DOWN AND ROT INSIDE
FOR WHAT HE DID TO ME
AND MY FAMILY.
>> Reporter: TENSION
IN THE ROOM BUILDING
TO A DRAMATIC MOMENT.
TRUMP ATTORNEY TODD
BLANCHE ACCUSING COHEN
OF LYING ABOUT A KEY
PART OF HIS TESTIMONY.
JUST TWO DAYS AGO,
COHEN TELLING THE JURY
UNEQUIVOCALLY THAT MR.
TRUMP'S BODYGUARD
KEITH SCHILLER PASSED
THE PHONE TO MR. TRUMP
ON OCTOBER 24th, 2016
AT 8:02 P.M.
COHEN SAYS HE INFORMED
MR. TRUMP AT THE TIME
THE DEAL TO PAY OFF
STORMY DANIELS WOULD
BE DONE.
BLANCHE TODAY RAISING
HIS VOICE, SAYING THAT
WAS A LIE.
SHOWING THE JURY NEVER
BEFORE SEEN TEXT
MESSAGES, SUGGESTING
THE CALL WAS FOR
ANOTHER PURPOSE
ENTIRELY.
COHEN HAD EARLIER
REACHED OUT TO
SCHILLER FOR HELP
DEALING WITH A
14-YEAR-OLD PRANK
CALLER.
AND SCHILLER TEXTED
BACK TELLING COHEN TO
CALL HIM.
LOGS SHOW A CALL ON
OCTOBER 24th THAT
LASTED JUST 97
SECONDS.
THE DEFENSE'S CLEAR
IMPLICATION, THE PHONE
WAS NEVER PASSED TO
MR. TRUMP.
COHEN APPEARING
BLINDSIDED.
BLANCHE GRILLING HIM,
"THAT WAS A LIE, YOU
DID NOT TALK TO
PRESIDENT TRUMP.
YOU TALKED TO KEITH
SCHILLER.
YOU CAN ADMIT IT."
COHEN RESPONDING, "NO,
SIR, I DON'T KNOW THAT
IT'S ACCURATE."
COHEN ADDING "I ALSO
BELIEVE I SPOKE TO
MR. TRUMP ABOUT THE
STORMY DANIELS MATTER.
BLANCHE SHOOTING BACK,
"WE ARE NOT ASKING
WHAT YOU BELIEVE.
THIS JURY DOES NOT
WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU
THINK HAPPENED."
COHEN'S CREDIBILITY
KEY TO THE STATE'S
CASE AS HE IS THE ONLY
ONE WHO HAS TESTIFIED
THE FORMER PRESIDENT
HAD ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE
OF THE PLAN TO PAY OFF
DANIELS TO PROTECT HIS
CAMPAIGN AND THEN
SIGNED OFF ON A SCHEME
TO PAY COHEN BACK,
ALLEGEDLY FALSIFYING
BUSINESS RECORDS TO
DISGUISE HIS
REIMBURSEMENTS.
MR. TRUMP HAS PLEADED
NOT GUILTY AS HIS
DEFENSE ATTORNEYS HAVE
ARGUED NOTHING WAS
FALSIFIED, AND ONCE
AGAIN CHALLENGING
PROSECUTORS TODAY THAT
THE FORMER PRESIDENT
ONLY CARED ABOUT
SHIELDING HIS CAMPAIGN
FROM DANIELS' DAMAGING
STORY.
BLANCHE PUSHING COHEN
ABOUT MR. TRUMP'S
REACTION THE FIRST
TIME THE FORMER
PRESIDENT LEARNED OF
DANIELS SHOPPING HER
STORY.
BLANCHE ASKING, "THE
FIRST THING THAT
PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID
TO YOU IS THAT HIS
FAMILY WOULDN'T LIKE
VERY MUCH."
COHEN SAYING, "THAT'S
TRUE."
THE SELF-DESCRIBED
FORMER TRUMP FIXER
TURNED FOE MAINTAINING
HIS COMPOSURE ON THE
STAND WHEN PRESSED AT
LENGTH ABOUT HIS
CRIMINAL HISTORY.
COHEN HAS BEEN
CONVICTED OF LYING
UNDER OATH AND
DISBARRED.
THE DEFENSE ARGUING HE
HAS A MOTIVATION TO
LIE NOW AND A HISTORY
OF DOING IT.
QUOTE, YOU LIED UNDER
OATH, CORRECT, BLANCHE
ASKING HIM?
"YES, SIR," COHEN
SAYS.
THE DEFENSE SAYING
COHEN IS ALSO NOT
TELLING THE FULL STORY
ABOUT HIS DESIRE OR
FOR A WHITE HOUSE JOB,
WHICH MR. TRUMP NEVER
OFFERED HIM.
"YOU WERE DISAPPOINTED
THAT AFTER ALL THE
WORK YOU HAD DONE FOR
PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR
9 1/2 YEARS, NOBODY,
INCLUDING PRESIDENT
TRUMP OFFERED YOU A
POSITION IN THE WHITE
HOUSE?"
BLANCHE ASKED.
"THAT'S NOT ACCURATE,
COHEN SAID.
>> I THINK IT WAS A
VERY INTERESTING DAY.
IT WAS A FASCINATING
DAY.
IT SHOWS WHAT A SCAM
THIS WHOLE THING IS.
>> LAURA, LET'S CIRCLE
BACK IF WE CAN FOR A
MOMENT.
WHEN THE DEFENSE
ACCUSED COHEN OF LYING
UNDER OATH ON THE
PHONE CALL, IS THERE
ANY SENSE OF IMPACT?
>> Reporter: LESTER,
THE JURY WAS PAYING
VERY CLOSE ATTENTION
TO THAT ENTIRE ENGINES
EX-CHANGE.
IT WAS REAL BLOW TO
PROSECUTORS, NO DOUBT
ABOUT IT.
MICHAEL COHEN WILL BE
BACK ON THE STAND
MONDAY.
LESTER?
>> ALL RIGHT, LAURA,
THANK YOU.
>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN
ASSERTED EXECUTIVE
PRIVILEGE TODAY TO
KEEP CONGRESS FROM
GETTING RECORDINGS OF
HIS INTERVIEW WITH THE
SPECIAL COUNSEL.
KELLY O'DONNELL IS AT
THE WHITE HOUSE.
KELLY, WHAT WAS THIS
ABOUT?
>> LESTER, THIS GOES
BACK TO THE
INVESTIGATION OF
CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS
FOUND AT THE BIDEN
HOME.
NO CHARGES WERE FILED.
THE SPECIAL COUNSEL
WHO INTERVIEWED THE
PRESIDENT REFERRED TO
HIM AS A WELL MEANING
ELDERLY MAN WITH A
POOR MEMORY.
THE WRITTEN TRANSCRIPT
IS PUBLIC, BUT HOUSE
REPUBLICANS WANT THE
AUDIO RECORDING.
THE PRESIDENT BLOCKED
THAT USING EXECUTIVE
PRIVILEGE.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
RECOMMENDED SHIELDING
THE TAPES TO PROTECT
FUTURE WITNESSES AND
INVESTIGATIONS.
THE WHITE HOUSE
COUNSEL WROTE THAT
REPUBLICANS REALLY
WANT THE TAPES TO USE
THEM FOR PARTISAN
POLITICAL PURPOSES.
HOUSE SPEAKER JOHNSON
ACCUSED THE WHITE
HOUSE OF BEING AFRAID
FOR CITIZENS TO HEAR
WHAT'S ON THOSE TAPES,
AND SEPARATELY, NEWS
ORGANIZATIONS,
INCLUDING NBC ARE PART
OF A LAWSUIT SEEKING
THE RELEASE OF THIS
AUDIO UNDER THE
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
ACT.
LESTER?
>> KELLY O'DONNELL,
THANK YOU.
>>> TONIGHT TORRENTIAL
DOWNPOURS PUTTING 21
MILLION PEOPLE AT RISK
FROM POTENTIALLY
LIFE-THREATENING
FLOODING IN TEXAS AND
ALONG THE GULF COAST.
RAIN HAS BEEN SOAKING
THE REGION WITH UP TO
A FOOT EXPECTED IN
AREAS THROUGH
SATURDAY.
THE FLASH FLOODING
RISK MODERATE TO
SEVERE IN SOME PARTS
THROUGH EARLY
TOMORROW.
>>> ALSO IN TEXAS,
GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT
ISSUED A PARDON TODAY
TO A FORMER U.S. ARMY
SERGEANT CONVICTED OF
MURDER IN THE SHOOTING
OF A BLACK LIVES
MATTER PROTESTER BACK
IN 2020.
STEVE PATTERSON IS
FOLLOWING THIS.
STEVE, WHAT MORE DO WE
KNOW?
>> Reporter: LESTER,
GOVERNOR ABBOTT SAYS
THIS PARDON IS
JUSTIFIED BY TEXAS'