Nightly News Full Broadcast - May 29
Summary
TLDRThe fate of former President Donald Trump now rests with a Manhattan jury as they deliberate on whether he was part of an unlawful scheme to falsify business records to cover up hush money paid to an adult film star. Meanwhile, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito refuses to recuse himself from January 6th cases despite controversy over flags flown at his home. In sports, Major League Baseball updates its record books to honor milestones of Negro Leagues players, while two pandas are set to return to the National Zoo in a sign of improved U.S.-China relations.
Takeaways
- 🏛️ The fate of former President Donald Trump is in the hands of a Manhattan jury, deliberating on whether he was part of an unlawful scheme to falsify business records to cover up hush money paid to an adult film star.
- 🤔 The jury has requested a readback of testimony from two major prosecution witnesses, which could indicate they are carefully considering the evidence presented in the case.
- 🎖️ Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito refuses to recuse himself from cases related to January 6th and former President Trump, despite controversy over flags flown at his homes, blaming his wife for the displays.
- 🛬 An emergency landing by a small plane on a busy highway in South Carolina was captured by drivers, with no injuries reported.
- 🏌️ Major League Baseball (MLB) is updating its record books to honor the milestones of some of history's greatest players by including data from the Negro Leagues for the first time.
- 🏆 Josh Gibson, who played professionally in 1930, now has the league's number one career and single-season batting average and slugging percentage, surpassing legends like Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, and Barry Bonds.
- 🐼 The Smithsonian National Zoo is preparing for the arrival of two new giant pandas, Blas Leroux and Qing Bao, as part of a new ten-year loan agreement between the U.S. and China.
- 📈 Florida saw a significant influx of residents during the pandemic, but also a large number of people leaving, with reasons including soaring costs of living, political issues, and conservative legislation.
- 🗳️ President Biden and Vice President Harris made a campaign stop in Pennsylvania to reach out to Black voters, as recent polling shows a drop in support and enthusiasm among this demographic since 2020.
- 🏡 Scott Peterson, convicted of killing his pregnant wife Laci and their unborn child Connor, is pushing for a new trial with the backing of the Los Angeles Innocence Project, seeking new DNA testing on evidence.
- 💥 An explosion in a Wisconsin neighborhood resulted in two deaths, with authorities suspecting that flames inside the home may have ignited stored ammunition.
Q & A
What is the current situation regarding the case against former President Trump?
-The case against former President Trump is currently in the hands of a Manhattan jury. The jury has been deliberating for 4 1/2 hours and has asked for a readback of testimony from two major prosecution witnesses. Trump is charged with 34 counts for allegedly falsifying business records to cover up hush money paid to an adult film star.
What were the critical instructions given by Judge Juan Merchan to the jurors?
-Judge Juan Merchan instructed the jurors to set aside any bias for or against Mr. Trump and not to ignore any evidence simply because they want the trial to end. The judge also walked jurors through each of the 34 counts and clarified that they need not be unanimous about which unlawful means triggers the felony charge.
What is the significance of the jury's request for a readback of certain testimonies?
-The jury's request for a readback of testimonies from David Pecker, the tabloid boss, and Michael Cohen indicates that they are carefully considering the evidence presented. This could suggest that the jury is taking its time to review the case thoroughly before reaching a verdict.
What are the potential outcomes if Trump is convicted?
-If convicted, Trump faces a range of potential outcomes from four years in prison to just probation. Notably, the presumptive GOP nominee can still be elected president even if found guilty.
What is the controversy surrounding Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito?
-Justice Samuel Alito is facing calls to recuse himself from cases involving January 6th and former President Trump due to controversial flags flown at his Virginia home in 2021 and New Jersey vacation house in 2023. Alito has refused to step aside, blaming his wife for the flag displays and asserting that he had no ill will.
What is the latest development in the Scott Peterson case?
-Scott Peterson, currently serving a life sentence without parole for the murder of his pregnant wife Laci and their unborn child Connor, is pushing for a new trial. His new attorney is requesting new DNA testing on several pieces of evidence, including a burned-out orange van found in Modesto the day after Laci disappeared.
What is the political strategy of President Biden and Vice President Harris in Pennsylvania?
-President Biden and Vice President Harris made a joint appearance in Pennsylvania, launching a renewed effort to court Black voters in this critical swing state. They are emphasizing their administration's commitment to addressing issues facing the Black community.
What is causing concern for the Democratic Party regarding Black voters?
-Recent NBC News polling shows that President Biden's support among Black voters has dropped since 2020, and there is less enthusiasm among Black voters. This could be a concern for the Democratic Party as they seek to maintain support in the upcoming elections.
What is the situation with the population movement in Florida?
-Florida has seen a significant boom in population since the start of the pandemic, with over 700,000 people moving there in 2022. However, nearly 500,000 people also left the state, citing reasons such as soaring costs of living, political issues, and conservative legislation.
What is the update on Major League Baseball's record books?
-Major League Baseball is updating its record books to honor the milestones of some of history's greatest players by including data from the Negro Leagues for the first time. Josh Gibson, who went pro in 1930, now has the league's number one career and single-season batting average and slugging percentage, surpassing Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, and Barry Bonds.
What is the significance of the new panda diplomacy between the U.S. and China?
-The U.S. and China have reached a new panda diplomacy breakthrough, with two 2-year-old pandas, Blas Leroux and Qing Bao, relocating to Washington, D.C. by the end of the year as part of a new ten-year loan. This comes after an agreement expired last November and signifies a positive step in U.S./Chinese relations.
Outlines
🏛️ Trump's Criminal Trial Deliberations
The script discusses the ongoing trial of former President Donald Trump, who is now a criminal defendant, with his fate in the hands of a Manhattan jury. The seven men and five women deliberated for 4 1/2 hours on whether Trump was part of an unlawful scheme to falsify business records to conceal hush money paid to an adult film star. Trump faces 34 counts, and the judge instructed the jury to set aside biases and not to ignore evidence. The jury requested a readback of testimony from two key prosecution witnesses, and the trial's outcome could significantly impact the race for the White House.
🏡 Samuel Alito and the Controversial Flags
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has been under scrutiny for not recusing himself from cases related to January 6th and former President Trump. This controversy stems from flags flown at his Virginia home and New Jersey vacation house, which are associated with the 'Stop the Steal' movement and MAGA followers who deny the 2020 election results. Alito has blamed his wife for the flag displays and stated that he had no involvement. Despite calls for recusal, Alito maintains that the events do not warrant his removal from related cases, asserting his wife's First Amendment rights and his own lack of awareness of the flags' political connotations.
🛫 Emergency Plane Landing on Busy Highway
The script describes a dramatic event where a small plane made an emergency landing on a busy highway near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, due to engine failure. Thankfully, the two people on board were unharmed, and no injuries were reported. This incident was captured by drivers on the highway, making for a remarkable story of a potentially dangerous situation averted.
📊 Florida's Population Shift Amid Pandemic
Florida experienced a significant population boom during the pandemic, with many Americans moving to the state for its lower taxes and sunny weather. However, the state also saw nearly 500,000 people leave in 2022, the largest number since the Great Recession. The reasons for this out-migration include soaring costs of living, with inflation rates among the highest in the nation, as well as political issues. Florida has enacted conservative legislation that has alienated some residents, leading to a political divide and contributing to the decision of some to leave the Sunshine State.
🏆 MLB Honors Negro Leagues' Milestones
Major League Baseball (MLB) has made a significant change by including data from the Negro Leagues in its official statistics for the first time. This move recognizes the achievements of players like Josh Gibson, who now holds the league's number one career and single-season batting average and slugging percentage, surpassing legends like Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, and Barry Bonds. The MLB's initiative came after an independent committee spent over three years reviewing available data and entering more than 2,300 players from the Negro Leagues into the public database. This effort aims to provide future generations with access to the statistics and milestones of these players and offers a form of reparations for the historical exclusion.
🐼 Panda Diplomacy: New Arrivals to the National Zoo
Despite heightened tensions between the U.S. and China, there is positive news regarding the return of pandas to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Two 2-year-old pandas, Blas Leroux and Qing Bao, are expected to relocate to the zoo by the end of the year as part of a new ten-year loan agreement. This development is significant as it follows the expiration of a previous agreement and a period of strained relations between the two countries. The arrival of the pandas is seen as a symbol of goodwill and a positive step in China-U.S. relations.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Deliberations
💡Jury Instructions
💡Falsify Business Records
💡Hush Money
💡Misdemeanor
💡Campaign Finance Violations
💡Unanimous Verdict
💡Recusal
💡Panda Diplomacy
💡Negro Leagues
💡Record Books
Highlights
Former President Donald Trump's criminal trial is in the hands of a Manhattan jury as they deliberate on charges related to falsifying business records.
Jurors deliberated for 4 1/2 hours, raising questions about the case's impact on the White House race and the critical instructions given by the judge.
The jury requested a readback of testimony from two major prosecution witnesses, signaling potential progress in their deliberations.
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito refuses to recuse himself from Trump-related cases, blaming his wife for controversial flag displays at their homes.
An emergency landing by a plane on a busy highway was captured by drivers, showcasing a dramatic aviation incident.
Major League Baseball (MLB) is updating its record books to honor the hits, home runs, and milestones of some of history's greatest players from the Negro Leagues.
Josh Gibson, who played professionally in 1930, now holds the MLB's number one career and single-season batting average and slugging percentage.
MLB's initiative aims to ensure future generations have access to the statistics and milestones of Negro Leagues players.
The Smithsonian National Zoo is preparing for the arrival of two new pandas, marking a breakthrough in panda diplomacy between the U.S. and China.
The ten-year loan of the pandas, Blas Leroux and Qing Bao, signifies a positive step in U.S./Chinese relations despite recent tensions.
Convicted killer Scott Peterson is pushing for a new trial and a chance at freedom, with the support of the Los Angeles Innocence Project.
President Biden and Vice President Harris made a joint appearance in Pennsylvania to reach out to Black voters, highlighting their administration's efforts.
Recent polling shows a drop in President Biden's support among Black voters and a decrease in their enthusiasm for the election.
Florida experienced a significant influx of residents during the pandemic but also saw many leaving due to rising costs and political issues.
The state's political shift to the right and conservative legislation have contributed to the decision of some to leave Florida.
Transcripts
OF FORMER PRESIDENT
TRUMP NOW IN THE HANDS
OF THE JURY.
THE DELIBERATIONS JUST
WRAPPING FOR THE DAY
AFTER 4 1/2 HOURS SO
FAR IN THE CASE THAT
COULD DRAMATICALLY
IMPACT THE RACE FOR
THE WHITE HOUSE.
THE CRITICAL
INSTRUCTIONS THE JUDGE
GAVE JURORS.
WILL IT HELP THE
PROSECUTION OR
THE DEFENSE AND
WHAT THEY ASKED FOR
TODAY FROM INSIDE THE
JURY ROOM.
PLUS, WHAT COULD
HAPPEN WHEN THEY REACH
A DECISION.
>>> THE FLAP OVER
FLAGS.
CONSERVATIVE SUPREME
COURT JUSTICE
SAMUEL ALITO TELLS
CONGRESS HE WON'T STEP
ASIDE FROM
TRUMP-RELATED CASES
BEFORE THE HIGH COURT.
WHAT'S BEHIND THE CALL
POLICE AND WHY HE SAYS
HE HAS NO ILL WILL.
>>> EMERGENCY LANDING.
THE MOMENT A PLANE
LANDED ON A BUSY
HIGHWAY AS DRIVERS
FILMED IT ALL.
>>> HOW THE MLB IS
REWRITING THE RECORD
BOOKS TO HONOR THE
HITS, HOME RUNS, AND
MILESTONES OF SOME OF
HISTORY'S GREATEST
PLAYERS.
>>> THE PANDA-PLOMACY
BREAKTHROUGH.
THE FURRY EFFORT TO
BRING THE FAVORITES
BACK TO THE NATIONAL
ZOO.
>> Announcer: THIS IS
"NBC NIGHTLY NEWS"
WITH LESTER HOLT.
>>> GOOD EVENING, AND
WELCOME.
AND NOW WE WAIT.
THE FATE OF DONALD J.
TRUMP, FORMER
PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES, AND NOW
CRIMINAL DEFENDANT, IS
TONIGHT IN THE HANDS
OF A MANHATTAN JURY.
THE SEVEN MEN AND FIVE
WOMEN DELIBERATING FOR
4 1/2 HOURS TODAY ON
WHETHER MR. TRUMP WAS
PART OF AN UNLAWFUL
SCHEME TO FALSIFY
BUSINESS RECORDS TO
COVER UP HUSH MONEY,
PAID TO AN ADULT FILM
STAR.
HE IS CHARGED WITH 34
COUNTS.
LATE THIS AFTERNOON
THE PANEL RANG A BELL
SUMMONING A BAILIFF TO
THE DELIBERATION ROOM,
NOT TO SAY THEY HAD
REACHED A VERDICT, BUT
RATHER WITH QUESTIONS
ABOUT THOSE
INSTRUCTIONS AND A
REQUEST TO HAVE A
READBACK OF TESTIMONY
FROM TWO MAJOR
PROSECUTION WITNESSES.
TONIGHT, LAWYERS ON
BOTH SIDES CAN ONLY
WONDER WHAT THE JURY
COULD BE TELEGRAPHING
ABOUT ITS PROCESS AND
PROGRESS.
SENIOR LEGAL
CORRESPONDENT LAURA
JARRETT HAS THE
LATEST.
>> Reporter: TONIGHT,
JURY DELIBERATIONS
WRAPPING UP FOR THE
DAY IN FORMER
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S HUSH
MONEY CASE.
THE FIRST TRIAL OF AN
AMERICAN PRESIDENT.
SEVEN MEN AND FIVE
WOMEN DELIBERATING FOR
ROUGHLY 4 1/2 HOURS
AFTER SITTING THROUGH
MORE THAN AN HOUR OF
COMPLEX INSTRUCTIONS
FROM THE JUDGE, WHO
TOLD THE MANHATTAN
JURY TO SET ASIDE ANY
BIAS FOR OR AGAINST
MR. TRUMP AND TO NOT
IGNORE ANY EVIDENCE
SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU
WANT THE TRIAL TO END.
JUDGE JUAN MERCHAN
WALKING JURORS
THROUGH EACH OF THE 34
COUNTS MR. TRUMP FACES
FOR ALLEGEDLY
FALSIFYING HIS
BUSINESS RECORDS TO
COVER UP MICHAEL
COHEN'S PAYOFF OF A
PORN STAR ON THE EVE
OF THE 2016 ELECTION,
WHICH MR. TRUMP
DENIES.
THE CHARGE, NORMALLY A
MISDEMEANOR, RAISED TO
A LOW-LEVEL FELONY
HERE BECAUSE
PROSECUTORS ARGUE THEY
ALLEGEDLY DOCTORED
RECORDS THAT WERE
MEANT TO COVER UP
ANOTHER CRIME, IN THIS
CASE A CONSPIRACY TO
PROMOTE MR. TRUMP'S
CANDIDACY IN 2016
THROUGH, QUOTE,
UNLAWFUL MEANS.
AT TRIAL PROSECUTORS
RAISED POSSIBLE
VIOLATIONS OF MULTIPLE
OTHER LAWS THAT COULD
QUALIFY AS THOSE
UNLAWFUL MEANS
INCLUDING CAMPAIGN
FINANCE VIOLATIONS
MR. TRUMP WAS NEVER
CHARGED WITH.
THE JUDGE INSTRUCTING
THE JURY TODAY TO
REACH A GUILTY
VERDICT, THEY NEED NOT
BE UNANIMOUS ABOUT
WHICH UNLAWFUL MEANS
TRIGGERS THAT FELONY,
A MAJOR ADVANTAGE FOR
PROSECUTORS.
>> IT'S A DISGRACE AND
I MEAN MOTHER TERESA
COULD NOT BEAT THESE
CHARGES.
WE'LL SEE.
I JUST WANT TO SAY
IT'S A VERY UNFAIR
TRIAL.
>> Reporter: THE JURY
ASKING FOR A READBACK
FROM THE VERY FIRST
WITNESS, TABLOID BOSS
DAVID PECKER, AS WELL
AS COHEN, AND JURORS
INSTRUCTED TODAY NOT
TO CONSIDER THE
POSSIBLE SENTENCE
MR. TRUMP COULD
RECEIVE.
IF CONVICTED, HE FACES
ANYWHERE FROM FOUR
YEARS IN PRISON TO
JUST PROBATION AND THE
PRESUMPTIVE GOP
NOMINEE CAN STILL BE
ELECTED PRESIDENT,
EVEN IF HE'S FOUND
GUILTY.
>> SO, LAURA, WHAT
HAPPENS NOW WITH THIS
TESTIMONY THAT THE
JURORS HAVE ASKED TO
HEAR AGAIN?
>> Reporter: WELL,
LESTER, THE
PROSECUTION, THE
JUDGE, THE DEFENSE
TEAM ALL NEED TO
FINALIZE EXACTLY WHAT
PORTIONS OF THE
TRANSCRIPT WILL BE
READ BACK TO THE JURY.
THE JUDGE SUGGESTS IT
COULD BE SUBSTANTIAL,
AN HOUR OF TESTIMONY.
COURT WILL PICK UP
TOMORROW MORNING AT
9:30.
LESTER.
>> LAURA, THANK YOU.
>>> ALSO THIS EVENING
SUPREME COURT JUSTICE
SAMUEL ALITO BEING
CALLED TO RECUSE
HIMSELF FROM CASES
INVOLVING JANUARY 6th.
THE ISSUE, THOSE
CONTROVERSIAL FLAGS
THAT FLEW AT HIS
HOMES.
HERE'S KELLY
O'DONNELL.
>> Reporter: A DEFIANT
JUDGMENT FROM SUPREME
COURT JUSTICE SAMUEL
ALITO REFUSING
DEMOCRATS' DEMANDS HE
RECUSE HIMSELF FROM
PENDING CASES RELATED
TO JANUARY 6th AND
FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP
OVER FLAGS FLOWN AT
HIS VIRGINIA HOME IN
2021 AND NEW JERSEY
VACATION HOUSE IN
2023, FLAGS FREQUENTLY
USED BY MAGA FOLLOWERS
WHO DENY THE 2020
ELECTION RESULTS.
THE INCIDENT SPARKING
NATIONAL ATTENTION
JUST THIS MONTH.
TODAY ALITO REPEATEDLY
BLAMED HIS WIFE
MARTHA-ANNE AS SOLELY
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
CONTROVERSIAL DISPLAYS
AND DISTANCED HIMSELF
IN A PAIR OF DETAILED
LETTERS TO CONGRESS.
"I HAD NOTHING
WHATSOEVER TO DO WITH
THE FLYING OF THE
FLAG.
I ASKED MY WIFE TO
TAKE IT DOWN, BUT FOR
SEVERAL DAYS SHE
REFUSED."
THE CONSERVATIVE
JUSTICE SAID HIS WIFE
WAS GREATLY DISTRESSED
OVER A VERY NASTY
NEIGHBORHOOD DISPUTE,
NOTING SHE IS A
PRIVATE CITIZEN WITH
FULL FIRST AMENDMENT
RIGHTS.
ALITO CONTENDS THE
EVENTS DO NOT MEET THE
THRESHOLD FOR RECUSAL
SO HE IS DUTY-BOUND TO
REJECT THE REQUEST.
DEMOCRATIC LEADERS
HAVE EXPRESSED
OUTRAGE.
>> TOTALLY
INAPPROPRIATE.
SAMUEL ALITO AND
CLARENCE THOMAS ARE
TOTALLY OUT OF
CONTROL.
>> Reporter: JUSTICE
THOMAS' WIFE GINNI
BACKED EFFORTS TO
OVERTURN THE 2020
ELECTION OUTCOME BUT
HAS RECENTLY SAID SHE
AND HER HUSBAND DON'T
DISCUSS THEIR WORK
WITH EACH OTHER.
ALITO IS AMONG THE
MOST CONSERVATIVE
JURISTS ON THE COURT
YET HE ASSERTED
IGNORANCE THAT THE
FLAGS HAVE BEEN
ASSOCIATED WITH
CONSERVATIVE ANGER AND
JANUARY 6th.
"I WAS NOT AWARE OF
ANY CONNECTION BETWEEN
THIS HISTORIC FLAG AND
THE STOP THE STEAL
MOVEMENT AND NEITHER
WAS MY WIFE."
TODAY 18 DEMOCRATS
FROM THE HOUSE
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
SIGNED A LETTER TO
CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS
ASKING HIM IF THESE
EVENTS VIOLATE THE
COURT'S CODE OF
CONDUCT ADOPTED LAST
NOVEMBER AND URGING
HIM TO ENFORCE THAT
PUT HIS BODY CAM ON.
>> ALL RIGHT,
STEPHANIE, THANK YOU.
>>> NOW TO NEW
DEVELOPMENTS IN A CASE
THAT CAPTIVATED THE
NATION.
CONVICTED KILLER
SCOTT PETERSON WAS
BACK IN COURT TODAY
PUSHING FOR ANOTHER
TRIAL AND A NEW SHOT
AT FREEDOM.
HERE'S LIZ KREUTZ.
>> AND WE HAVE THE
TESTIMONY FROM THE
CADAVER DOG.
>> Reporter: TONIGHT
SCOTT PETERSON
APPEARING IN COURT
FROM PRISON 20 YEARS
AFTER BEING CONVICTED
OF KILLING HIS
PREGNANT WIFE LACI AND
THEIR UNBORN CHILD
CONNOR.
DESPITE WHAT
INVESTIGATORS SAY IS
OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE
AGAINST HIM, THE NOW
51-YEAR-OLD, WHO WAS
SERVING A LIFE
SENTENCE WITHOUT
PAROLE, HAS THE
BACKING OF THE LOS
ANGELES INNOCENCE
PROJECT AS HE MAKES
YET ANOTHER ATTEMPT
FOR A NEW TRIAL.
>> THERE IS ABSOLUTELY
NO FORENSIC EVIDENCE
IN THIS CASE
IMPLICATING SCOTT
PETERSON.
>> Reporter: HIS NEW
ATTORNEY IS ASKING
A CALIFORNIA JUDGE TO
ALLOW FOR NEW
DNA TESTING ON
SEVERAL PIECES OF
EVIDENCE THAT WAS
SUPPRESSED INCLUDING A
BURNED OUT ORANGE VAN
THAT WAS FOUND IN
MODESTO THE DAY AFTER
SHE DISAPPEARED.
INSIDE THE VAN WAS A
BLOODY MATTRESS, AND
THEY WANT TO KNOW IF
THAT BLOOD WAS LACI'S.
>> SHOULD LACI'S DNA
BE FOUND ANYWHERE THAT
WOULD BE IRREFUTABLE
SUPPORTING
MR. PETERSON'S
INNOCENCE.
>> Reporter: BUT THE
PROSECUTION PUSHING
BACK SAYING TESTING
DONE IN 2019 SHOWED NO
BLOOD ON THE MATTRESS
AND ONLY MALE DNA.
>> THESE ARE CLAIMS
THAT HAVE BEEN
PREVIOUSLY LITIGATED.
>> Reporter:
PETERSON'S TRIAL
CAPTIVATED THE NATION,
A JURY FINDING HIM
GUILTY AFTER A TROVE
OF CIRCUMSTANTIAL
EVIDENCE INCLUDING
THAT LACI AND CONNOR'S
BODIES WASHED UP IN
THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY,
THE SAME PLACE HE HAD
GONE FISHING THE DAY