Nightly News Full Broadcast - May 28
Summary
TLDRIn the closing arguments of Donald Trump's hush money trial, the prosecution accused the former president of attempting to illegally influence the 2016 election by concealing payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The defense argued there was no crime and discredited key witness Michael Cohen as a liar. Outside the court, actor Robert De Niro clashed with pro-Trump protesters. Meanwhile, Texas faced severe storms, Israel made deadly new strikes, and a study highlighted the prevention of peanut allergies in children. Also featured was the recovery of a lost wedding ring 25 years later, symbolizing a rekindled love.
Takeaways
- 👉 Donald Trump's hush money trial is nearing a verdict after closing arguments.
- 👉 The prosecution accuses Trump of illegally influencing the 2016 election by covering up a payment to Stormy Daniels.
- 👉 The defense attacks Michael Cohen, calling him 'the greatest liar of all time.'
- 👉 Actor Robert De Niro clashed with pro-Trump protesters outside the courthouse.
- 👉 Severe storms are causing flash flooding and power outages in Texas, with hurricane-force winds affecting Dallas.
- 👉 A massive explosion at a Chase Bank in Ohio resulted in multiple injuries.
- 👉 Israeli forces entered Rafah in southern Gaza, causing new strikes and casualties.
- 👉 A new study suggests introducing peanuts early to children can significantly reduce the risk of peanut allergies.
- 👉 Scientists are concerned about the rise of dengue fever in the Americas, linked to climate change.
- 👉 Divers found a wedding ring lost 25 years ago, reuniting it with the original owner.
Q & A
What is the primary focus of the prosecution's case in Donald Trump's hush money trial?
-The prosecution argues that Donald Trump orchestrated a criminal conspiracy to influence the 2016 election by covering up a payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels to suppress damaging information.
What is the defense's main argument against the prosecution's case?
-The defense contends that there was no crime committed and that the state failed to prove Trump's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. They also attack the credibility of the prosecution's key witness, Michael Cohen, labeling him as an untrustworthy liar.
How did the prosecution address Michael Cohen's credibility issues during their closing arguments?
-The prosecution acknowledged Michael Cohen's criminal history and admitted lies under oath but argued that his insider knowledge could connect the dots in the case. They emphasized that the case was about Trump, not Cohen.
What unusual event took place outside the courthouse during the trial?
-Outside the courthouse, actor Robert De Niro, supporting the Biden campaign, clashed with pro-Trump protesters. This event marked a shift in the Biden campaign's strategy to take a more aggressive stance against Trump.
What natural disasters have recently impacted Texas?
-Texas has been hit by severe storms, including flash floods in Dallas, potential lightning strikes on a church and homes, and hurricane-force winds that moved a plane from its gate. These storms followed a weekend with deadly tornadoes across 14 states.
What was the cause of the explosion at a Chase Bank in Ohio?
-Authorities suspect that a gas explosion caused the massive explosion at a Chase Bank in Ohio, which resulted in debris blowing across the street and multiple injuries.
What are the latest developments in the conflict involving Israeli forces in Gaza?
-Israeli forces have entered the heart of Rafah in southern Gaza for the first time, resulting in deadly strikes and increasing international criticism. The IDF conducted an investigation into a previous attack, suggesting hidden Hamas weapons might have caused a secondary explosion.
What new study offers guidance on preventing peanut allergies in children?
-A new NIH study recommends introducing peanut products to children from infancy to age five to reduce the risk of developing peanut allergies by as much as 71%. This strategy should be done in consultation with a pediatrician, especially for infants with severe eczema or egg allergy.
Why is there an increased concern about dengue fever in the Americas?
-Dengue fever cases are up more than 230% from last year, with severe outbreaks in Brazil, Argentina, and Puerto Rico. Climate change, leading to shorter winters and longer mosquito activity periods, is contributing to the spread of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
What remarkable recovery was made by divers at Lake Hartwell?
-Divers at Lake Hartwell recovered a wedding ring that had been lost for 25 years. The ring belonged to David Allen, who had lost it during a difficult period in his life. The recovery was a significant and emotional moment for him and his family.
Outlines
📖 Trump's Hush Money Trial and Closing Arguments
The trial involving Donald Trump's alleged hush money payments during the 2016 election is nearing its conclusion. Both the prosecution and defense presented their closing arguments, with the prosecution accusing Trump of attempting to illegally influence the election by concealing payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The defense countered by discrediting key witness Michael Cohen as an unreliable liar. The trial has garnered significant attention, with even actor Robert De Niro clashing with pro-Trump protesters outside the court. The outcome of the trial, in which Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, will soon be decided by the jurors.
🌪️ Severe Storms and Tornadoes Hit Texas
Texas suffered a series of severe storms, leading to flash flooding in Dallas where vehicles were trapped and structures were potentially damaged by lightning. Over a million people were left without power following the deadly storms during the holiday weekend. The situation was exacerbated by hurricane-force winds that pushed a plane away from the gate at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The storms capped a harrowing holiday weekend with more than 60 tornadoes reported across 14 states, marking 2024 as having the second busiest start to a year for tornadoes ever recorded.
💥 Explosion in Ohio and Israeli Forces' Actions in Rafah
A massive explosion at a Chase Bank in Ohio resulted in multiple injuries, with debris blowing across the street. In the Middle East, Israeli forces entered the heart of Rafah in southern Gaza for the first time, conducting deadly new strikes that have raised international outrage. The attacks follow a previous incident where an Israeli airstrike ignited a firestorm at a different camp, killing dozens of civilians. The IDF has offered preliminary investigation results suggesting that hidden Hamas weapons may have caused the blast, although no firm evidence has been provided.
🥜 New Study on Preventing Peanut Allergies in Children
A new study provides insights into preventing peanut allergies in children. The research indicates that introducing peanut products from infancy to age 5 can reduce the risk of peanut allergy by as much as 71% in adolescents. The guidelines suggest that if an infant has severe eczema or an egg allergy, introducing peanut-containing foods at four to six months, either at home or in a doctor's office, can help reduce the risk of developing the allergy. Parents are advised to consult with their pediatrician before proceeding with such introductions.
🕊️ Lost Wedding Ring Recovery After 25 Years
David Allen's wedding ring was lost 25 years ago on his brother's dock in Georgia. At the time, he and his wife Lisa were getting a divorce, and the loss of the ring seemed insignificant compared to the loss of his family. However, after turning his life around and reuniting with Lisa, David sought to recover the ring. With the help of Lake Hartwell divers, who specialize in reuniting owners with missing belongings, the ring was found after four days of sifting through lake mud. The recovery of the ring symbolizes a love story that, after many years, has found a happy ending.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Donald Trump Hush Money Trial
💡Prosecution
💡Defense
💡Michael Cohen
💡Stormy Daniels
💡Felony Counts
💡Closing Arguments
💡Reasonable Doubt
💡Robert De Niro
💡Severe Storms
💡Dengue Fever
Highlights
Donald Trump's hush money trial is nearing its conclusion after closing arguments were heard.
The prosecution accuses Trump of trying to illegally influence the 2016 election by covering up a payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
The defense labels Michael Cohen as 'the greatest liar of all time' during the trial.
Actor Robert De Niro clashes with pro-Trump protesters outside the court.
Severe storms hit Texas, causing flash flooding, possible lightning strikes, and hurricane-force winds.
A massive explosion at a Chase Bank in Ohio results in multiple injuries.
Israeli forces enter the heart of Rafah for the first time, with deadly new strikes amid outrage over an attack on a tent city.
A new study suggests a method for preventing peanut allergies in children.
Divers are on a mission to reunite a couple with a wedding ring lost 25 years ago.
Prosecutors argue that Trump orchestrated a criminal conspiracy to influence the 2016 election by ordering the payoff of Stormy Daniels.
The defense argues there was no crime and that the state failed to prove Trump's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Trump's attorney, Todd Blanche, attacks the prosecution's case and its reliance on Cohen's testimony, calling him the 'greatest liar of all time'.
Outside the courthouse, the Biden campaign holds its first event, including an appearance by Hollywood star Robert De Niro.
Texas experiences another destructive storm with flash floods and potential lightning strikes setting suburban structures on fire.
Israeli forces push further into Rafah in southern Gaza, with authorities reporting more than 20 people killed in a new Israeli attack.
A U.S. military aircraft crashes in New Mexico, with the pilot escaping with serious injuries.
Los Angeles police release new details about the fatal shooting of former 'General Hospital' star Johnny Wactor.
A new study shows that introducing peanut products from infancy to age 5 can reduce the risk of peanut allergy by as much as 71% in adolescents.
Dengue fever cases are breaking records in the Americas, with 7.8 million suspected cases reported so far, up more than 230% from last year.
A wedding ring lost 25 years ago is recovered by divers, marking a happy ending to a love story that was once lost.
Transcripts
IN DONALD TRUMP'S HUSH
MONEY TRIAL ON THE
VERGE OF GETTING ABOUT
THE CASE, AFTER
HEARING CLOSING
ARGUMENTS.
THE FORMER PRESIDENT
BACK IN COURT ALONG
WITH THREE OF HIS
CHILDREN, AS BOTH
SIDES MADE THEIR FINAL
CASES.
THE PROSECUTION
ACCUSING MR. TRUMP OF
TRYING TO ILLEGALLY
INFLUENCE THE 2016
ELECTION BY COVERING
UP A PAYMENT TO ADULT
FILM STAR STORMY
DANIELS.
THE DEFENSE ATTACKING
MICHAEL COHEN AS,
QUOTE, THE GREATEST
LIAR OF ALL TIME.
AND THE CHAOS OUTSIDE
THE COURT.
ACTOR ROBERT DE NIRO
CLASHING WITH
PRO-TRUMP PROTESTERS.
>>> ALSO TONIGHT,
SEVERE STORMS SLAMMING
TEXAS.
FLASH FLOODING ON THE
HIGHWAY IN DALLAS.
VEHICLES TRAPPED.
A CHURCH AND HOMES
POSSIBLY HIT BY
LIGHTNING.
HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS
PUSHING A PLANE AWAY
FROM THE GATE.
MORE THAN A MILLION
WITHOUT POWER ON THE
HEELS OF A DEADLY
HOLIDAY WEEKEND.
>>> THE MASSIVE
EXPLOSION AT A CHASE
BANK IN OHIO.
DEBRIS BLOWING ACROSS
THE STREET.
MULTIPLE INJURIES WERE
REPORTED.
>> ISRAELI FORCES
ENTERING THE HEART OF
RAFAH FOR THE FIRST
TIME.
AND DEADLY NEW STRIKES
AS OUTRAGE GROWS OVER
THE ATTACK ON A TENT
CITY THAT KILLED 45
PEOPLE.
>>> THE NEW STUDY ON
PREVENTING PEANUT
ALLERGIES IN CHILDREN.
WHAT PARENTS NEED TO
KNOW.
>>> AND THE NEEDLE IN
A HAYSTACK SEARCH.
THE DIVERS ON A
MISSION TO REUNITE A
COUPLE WITH A WEDDING
RING LOST 25 YEARS
AGO.
♪♪
>> Announcer: THIS IS
"NBC NIGHTLY NEWS"
WITH LESTER HOLT.
>> GOOD EVENING AND
WELCOME.
AFTER 21 DAYS OF
TRIAL, THE OPPOSING
LAWYERS IN THE DONALD
TRUMP HUSH MONEY TRIAL
HAVE SPENT TODAY
APPEALING DIRECTLY TO
THE JURORS.
TODAY'S CLOSING
ARGUMENTS THE LAST
CHANCE FOR EACH SIDE
TO CONVINCE 12
EVERYDAY NEW YORKERS
OF DONALD TRUMP'S
GUILT OR INNOCENCE.
THE FORMER PRESIDENT
FACING 34 FELONY
COUNTS OF FALSIFYING
BUSINESS RECORDS.
AND WHAT THE STATE
ALLEGES WAS A SCHEME
TO CONCEAL HUSH MONEY
PAYMENTS TO AN ADULT
FILM STAR IN AN EFFORT
TO SUPPRESS DAMAGING
INFORMATION IN THE
DAYS BEFORE THE 2016
ELECTION.
PROSECUTOR JOSHUA
STEINGLASS TELLING
JURORS IT COULD VERY
WELL BE WHAT GOT
PRESIDENT TRUMP
ELECTED.
THE DEFENSE IN ITS
SUMMATION SAYING THERE
WAS NO CRIME, THAT THE
STATE HAD FAILED IN
ITS BURDEN TO PROVE
MR. TRUMP'S GUILT
BEYOND A REASONABLE
DOUBT, AND BLASTING
KEY WITNESS FORMER
TRUMP FIXER MICHAEL
COHEN AS THE MVP OF
LIARS.
LAURA JARRETT WAS IN
COURT TODAY.
>> Reporter: TONIGHT,
THE FIRST TRIAL OF AN
AMERICAN PRESIDENT
SOON IN THE HANDS OF
SEVEN MEN AND FIVE
WOMEN.
PROSECUTORS CLOSING
THEIR CASE, ARGUING
FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP
ORCHESTRATED A
CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY TO
INFLUENCE THE 2016
ELECTION TO PULL THE
WOOL OVER VOTERS'
EYES, THEY SAY, BY
ORDERING THE PAYOFF OF
STORMY DANIELS AND
THEN COVERING IT ALL
UP.
PROSECUTOR JOSHUA
STEINGLASS TRYING TO
ESTABLISH A PATTERN OF
MR. TRUMP BARING
DAMAGING STORIES THAT
COULD DERAIL HIS 2016
CAMPAIGN, POINTING TO
A KEY CONVERSATION
SECRETLY RECORDED BY
MR. TRUMP'S THEN
ATTORNEY MICHAEL
COHEN, THE STAR
PROSECUTION WITNESS,
WHERE MR. TRUMP
DISCUSSED AN ALLEGED
PAYOFF OF A DIFFERENT
WOMAN.
STEINGLASS CALLING IT
JAW-DROPPING.
>> FUNDING, YES.
AND IT'S ALL THE
STUFF.
>> Reporter: BUT MUCH
OF CLOSINGS TODAY
FOCUSED ON THE
CREDIBILITY OF COHEN.
QUOTE, WE DIDN'T PICK
HIM UP AT THE WITNESS
STORE.
THE DEFENDANT CHOSE
MICHAEL COHEN,
STEINGLASS SAID,
ACKNOWLEDGING COHEN'S
CRIMINAL HISTORY AND
ADMITTED LIES UNDER
OATH, BUT TELLING
JURORS YOU DON'T NEED
MICHAEL COHEN TO
CONNECT THESE DOTS.
BUT AS THE ULTIMATE
INSIDER, HE CAN DO
JUST THAT.
THE DEFENSE HAS ALSO
TRIED TO DISCREDIT
COHEN AS MOTIVATED TO
LIE, DESPERATE TO PUT
MR. TRUMP BEHIND BARS.
POINTING TO COHEN'S
OWN PODCAST.
>> 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: BUT
STEINGLASS TOOK THAT
HEAD-ON, ARGUING TODAY
COHEN IS
UNDERSTANDABLY ANGRY
BECAUSE MR. TRUMP
DROPPED HIM LIKE A HOT
POTATO AFTER THE FEDS
CAME CALLING IN 2018,
URGING JURORS TO SEE
THIS CASE NOT ABOUT
MICHAEL COHEN.
IT'S ABOUT DONALD
TRUMP.
IN HIS CLOSING
ARGUMENTS, TRUMP
ATTORNEY TODD BLANCHE
TORE INTO THE
PROSECUTION'S CASE AND
ITS RELIANCE ON
COHEN'S TESTIMONY,
BLASTING COHEN AS THE
HUMAN EMBODIMENT OF
REASONABLE DOUBT,
BRANDING HIM THE
GLOAT, THE GREATEST
LIAR OF ALL TIME, AND
THE MVP OF LIARS,
SAYING HE LIED TO
CONGRESS, JUDGES,
PROSECUTORS, BANKERS,
HIS FAMILY.
ADDING HE CAME IN
HERE, RAISED HIS RIGHT
HAND AND LIED TO EACH
OF YOU REPEATEDLY,
POINTING TO ONE OF THE
TRIAL'S MOST DRAMATIC
MOMENTS WHEN COHEN WAS
CONFRONTED WITH PHONE
RECORDS SUGGESTING HE
NEVER SPOKE TO MR.
TRUMP ABOUT DANIELS IN
AN OCTOBER 2016 PHONE
CALL LASTING JUST 96
SECONDS, BUT INSTEAD
HAD CALLED MR. TRUMP'S
BODYGUARD TO COMPLAIN
ABOUT A TEENAGED PRANK
CALLER.
BLANCHE ARGUING TODAY,
"HE TOLD YOU HE SPOKE
TO TRUMP.
THAT WAS A LIE.
AND HE GOT CAUGHT
RED-HANDED.
THAT IS PERJURY."
BLANCHE STRIKING AT
THE HEART OF THE 34
LOW-LEVEL FELONY
COUNTS MR. TRUMP FACES
FOR ALLEGEDLY
FALSIFYING HIS
BUSINESS RECORDS,
ARGUING NONE OF THE
INVOICES, VOUCHERS, OR
CHECKS WERE FALSE,
SAYING THE LEGAL
RETAINER LANGUAGE ON
THE RECORDS WASN'T
CRIMINAL OR SINISTER,
BUT MERELY GENERATED
BY ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE
AT THE TRUMP
ORGANIZATION, AND
THERE WAS NOTHING
WRONG WITH IT.
PRESIDENT TRUMP IS
INNOCENT, BLANCHE
SAID.
THERE IS NO CRIME,
PERIOD.
>> THIS IS NOT A TRIAL
THAT SHOULD HAPPEN.
IT'S A VERY SAD DAY.
THIS IS A DARK DAY IN
AMERICA.
>> LAURA, LET ME ASK
YOU ABOUT THE LENGTH
OF THE PROSECUTION'S
CLOSING ARGUMENT.
IT'S A BIT UNUSUAL.
>> Reporter: YEAH,
LESTER.
IT'S RARE TO SEE
CLOSING ARGUMENTS
STRETCH ON IN A CASE
LIKE THIS.
THE PROSECUTION GOING
OVER FOUR HOURS AT
THIS POINT.
AT TIMES THE JURY
APPEARING ATTENTIVE,
OTHER TIMES LESS SO.
BUT WE DO EXPECT THAT
THIS JURY WILL FINALLY
GET THE CASE TOMORROW
MORNING.
LESTER?
>> ALL RIGHT.
LAURA JARRETT, THANK
YOU.
IT WAS A CHAOTIC SCENE
OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE
WITH THE BIDEN
CAMPAIGN HOLDING ITS
FIRST EVENT THERE,
INCLUDING AN
APPEARANCE BY A
HOLLYWOOD STAR.
GABE GUTIERREZ HAS THE
LATEST.
>> BY YELLING AND
INTIMIDATING.
YOU'RE NOT GOING
INTIMIDATE.
>> Reporter: OUTSIDE
THE MANHATTAN
COURTHOUSE, THE DRAMA
TOOK ANOTHER
TUMULTUOUS TWIST.
THAT'S ACTOR ROBERT DE
NIRO IN A DIFFERENT
ROLE, SURROGATE FOR
THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN,
CLASHING WITH
PRO-TRUMP PROTESTERS.
>> TRYING TO BE
GENTLEMEN IN THIS
WORLD, DEMOCRATS.
YOU ARE GANGSTERS.
YOU ARE GANGSTERS.
>> YOU'RE WASHED UP.
>> Reporter: ALSO ON
HAND, FIRST RESPONDERS
WHO WERE AT THE
CAPITOL ON JANUARY
6th.
>> DONALD TRUMP IS THE
GREATEST THREAT TO OUR
DEMOCRACY.
>> Reporter: THIS
EVENT A SHARP CHANGE
FOR THE BIDEN
CAMPAIGN, WHICH HAS
LARGELY AVOIDED THE
TRIAL SINCE IT BEGAN
SIX WEEKS AGO.
>> IF TRUMP RETURNS TO
THE WHITE HOUSE, YOU
CAN KISS THESE
FREEDOMS GOODBYE THAT
WE ALL TAKE FOR
GRANTED.
>> Reporter: WITH MANY
DEMOCRATS NERVOUS
ABOUT THE STATE OF THE
RACE LESS THAN A MONTH
BEFORE THE FIRST
PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE,
NBC NEWS WAS FIRST TO
REPORT THE BIDEN
CAMPAIGN IS DEPLOYING
A MORE AGGRESSIVE
STRATEGY, DEFINING MR.
TRUMP TO VOTERS AS A
THREAT TO DEMOCRACY
AND THE ARCHITECT OF
REPEALING ROE V. WADE.
THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S
FAMILY FIRING BACK,
BLASTING THE BIDEN
TEAM FOR HOLDING AN
EVENT NEAR THE
COURTHOUSE.
>> RIGHT ACROSS THE
STREET.
TELLS US EXACTLY WHAT
WE ALL KNEW ALL ALONG,
THAT IT IS A POLITICAL
PROSECUTION.
PERSECUTION.
IT IS A WITCH HUNT.
>> Reporter:
THE WHITE HOUSE IS
CONSIDERING WHETHER
THE PRESIDENT WOULD
SPEAK PUBLICLY HERE
AFTER THE TRIAL ENDS.
SOURCES FAMILIAR WITH
THE DISCUSSIONS TELL
NBC NEWS THAT HAS YET
TO BE DECIDED.
LESTER?
>> GABE GUTIERREZ,
THANK YOU.
>>> YET ANOTHER
DESTRUCTIVE STORM IN
TEXAS TODAY AFTER A
DEADLY WEEKEND OF