ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - May 29, 2024

ABC News
29 May 202419:57

Summary

TLDRIn tonight's broadcast, the spotlight is on the deliberations in Donald Trump's criminal trial, with the jury requesting key testimonies to be read back. Meanwhile, an American Airlines plane narrowly avoids a collision on takeoff. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito refuses to recuse himself from January 6th cases, blaming his wife for controversial flag displays. Top golfer Scottie Scheffler sees charges dropped in an arrest mishap amid new video evidence. President Biden appeals to Black voters in Pennsylvania, emphasizing his administration's accomplishments. Elsewhere, a Kroger's grocery store shooting, a deadly house explosion, and an update on the severe weather threat across multiple states are covered.

Takeaways

  • đŸ“ĸ Breaking news involves Donald Trump as a jury deliberates on his fate, with specific requests for testimony read-back signaling the jury's focus on his involvement in a meeting at Trump Tower prior to the 2016 election.
  • ✈ī¸ A near miss on an airport runway with an American Airlines jet at 110 miles per hour, seconds from takeoff, had to abort due to another plane in the path.
  • 🏛 Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito refuses to recuse himself from January 6th cases, attributing the controversial flags flown outside his homes to his wife and defending her right to free speech.
  • 🚔 The charges against world number one golfer Scottie Scheffler have been dropped after new body camera video was released, showing a misunderstanding with a police officer.
  • 🛍ī¸ A shooting at a busy Kroger's grocery store in Cincinnati resulted in two suspects being wounded in a shootout with police, with no customers harmed.
  • đŸ”Ĩ A deadly house explosion and fire in Middleton, Wisconsin, resulted in at least two fatalities, with authorities suspecting stored ammunition was set off by the blast.
  • ⚡ī¸ A severe weather threat is looming across multiple states with the possibility of tornadoes and damaging winds expected from Houston to Dallas to Oklahoma City.
  • đŸŧ Two giant pandas are promised to the Smithsonian Zoo in Washington, D.C. from China by the end of the year, with another pair also headed to the San Diego Zoo.
  • 🏆 Major League Baseball amends their official record books to include players from the Negro Leagues, with over 2300 players' stats from 1920 to 1948 now recognized alongside those of Major League players.
  • 🎉 Josh Gibson, who never played in the Majors due to segregation, is now recognized as the all-time batting average leader, surpassing Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth in multiple categories.

Q & A

  • What is the current situation regarding Donald Trump's criminal trial?

    -The jury is currently deliberating on Donald Trump's fate. They have requested key testimony to be read back to them, specifically from David Pecker, the former publisher of 'The National Enquirer', and Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer and fixer, regarding a meeting at Trump Tower in August 2016. The jury is weighing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush payment to Stormy Daniels.

  • What does the jury's request for certain testimonies to be read back indicate?

    -The jury's request for specific testimonies from David Pecker and Michael Cohen indicates that they are focused on the events and discussions that involved Donald Trump directly, particularly the meeting at Trump Tower which the prosecution argued was part of a scheme to corrupt the 2016 election.

  • What are the charges against world number one golfer Scottie Scheffler and what is the outcome?

    -Scottie Scheffler was arrested in Louisville on charges of felony assault and other charges after an incident with a police officer at a golf tournament. However, all charges have now been dropped after new body camera video was released, showing that Scheffler was not aware the individual he interacted with was a police officer.

  • What is the significance of the meeting at Trump Tower in August 2016 in the context of the trial?

    -The meeting at Trump Tower in August 2016 is significant because prosecutors argued that it was where a conspiracy to corrupt the 2016 election was hatched, involving discussions between David Pecker, Michael Cohen, and Donald Trump.

  • Why did the jury ask for the judge's instructions to be read again?

    -The jury asked for the judge's instructions to be read again because New York law requires them to ask the judge to re-read any parts of the instructions if they have questions about the law, as they do not take the instructions into the deliberation room with them.

  • What is the context behind the controversy involving Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito?

    -Justice Samuel Alito is facing controversy due to flags flown outside his homes that were connected to pro-Trump movements. He has refused to recuse himself from cases involving January 6th and has attributed the flying of the flags to his wife, stating that he was not involved in the decision and was unaware of the implications of the flags.

  • What was the near collision incident involving an American Airlines plane?

    -The incident involved an American Airlines plane that was cleared for takeoff while a King Air plane was seconds from touchdown on an intersecting runway. Air traffic controllers realized the potential collision and instructed the American Airlines plane to abort takeoff, but the King Air plane had already landed. The American Airlines plane came to a halt just 1300 feet from the other plane.

  • What is the current situation with the shooting at a Kroger grocery store?

    -There was a shooting inside a busy Kroger supermarket in Cincinnati. Two suspects were wounded during a shootout with a police officer. Customers were running for cover, and nearby stores were placed on lockdown. Fortunately, no one inside the store was hurt.

  • What happened in the deadly house explosion in Middleton, Wisconsin?

    -A deadly house explosion occurred in Middleton, Wisconsin, outside Madison, resulting in at least two people being killed. Authorities believe that the explosion triggered the detonation of ammunition that was stored in the house.

  • What is Major League Baseball's decision regarding the Negro Leagues?

    -Major League Baseball has decided to amend their official record books to include players from the Negro Leagues. Over 2300 players from 1920 to 1948 will now have their statistics included alongside those of Major League players, correcting a longtime oversight.

Outlines

00:00

đŸ“ĸ Trump's Criminal Trial Deliberations and Jury Requests

The video script opens with breaking news on Donald Trump's criminal trial where the jury has begun deliberations. Within hours, they requested key testimonies to be read back, specifically involving a Trump Tower meeting prior to the 2016 election, with former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker and Trump's ex-lawyer Michael Cohen. The jury also asked for the judge's instructions to be re-read, indicating a potential focus on Trump's involvement in alleged corruption of the 2016 election. The deliberations concern 34 felony counts related to concealing a hush payment to Stormy Daniels. The judge emphasized the need for impartiality and a unanimous guilty decision on each count.

05:01

🏛ī¸ Supreme Court Justice Alito's Refusal to Recuse Himself

The script then shifts to Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, who refuses to recuse himself from cases related to the January 6th insurrection, despite controversy over flags flown outside his homes. Alito attributed the flag flying to his wife, stating he was unaware of its significance and asked her to take it down, which she initially refused due to a neighborhood dispute. Critics argue that an ethics code is needed for justices to judge themselves impartially.

10:02

✈ī¸ Close Call on Runway Averted by Air Traffic Control

The video script details a near miss at a Washington, D.C. airport where an American Airlines plane was ordered to abort takeoff as another plane was seconds from landing on an intersecting runway. The incident, captured in air traffic control audio, saw the American Airlines plane screech to a halt at 110 miles per hour, narrowly avoiding a collision. The FAA has announced an investigation into the incident.

15:03

🏌ī¸â€â™‚ī¸ World's Top Golfer Scottie Scheffler's Arrest and Charges Dropped

The script discusses the arrest of world number one golfer Scottie Scheffler in Louisville, Kentucky, during a major tournament. Authorities have dropped all charges against Scheffler after new body camera video was released. The video showed a chaotic scene where Scheffler was handcuffed for allegedly assaulting a police officer. However, the video posted online indicated Scheffler was unaware the individual was a police officer. The incident is described as a severe miscommunication in a chaotic situation.

đŸ—ŗī¸ President Biden's Appeal to Black Voters in Pennsylvania

The script covers President Biden's campaign efforts in Pennsylvania, focusing on his appeal to Black voters. Biden highlighted his administration's accomplishments, such as record low Black unemployment, capping prescription drug costs, and relieving student debt. The president also criticized Trump for alleged discriminatory practices. First Lady Jill Biden also weighed in on the importance of the upcoming election, urging voters to choose good over evil and expressing confidence in the American public's decision-making.

🌩ī¸ Severe Storm Threat and Other Developing Stories

The video script concludes with a brief mention of a severe storm threat across multiple states, with the potential for tornadoes and damaging winds. Other developing stories include a shooting at a busy Kroger's grocery store, a deadly house explosion, and a new round of severe storms expected the following day. Additionally, Major League Baseball's decision to amend their official record books to include players from the Negro Leagues is highlighted, correcting a longtime oversight and honoring the legacy of these players.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Deliberations

Deliberations refer to the process where a jury carefully considers the evidence and arguments presented during a trial to reach a verdict. In the context of the video, it is mentioned that Donald Trump's fate is in the hands of the jury as they deliberate on the criminal charges against him. This is a critical part of the justice system, ensuring that a fair and thorough evaluation of the case is conducted.

💡National Enquirer

The National Enquirer is a supermarket tabloid known for its sensational journalism and coverage of celebrity news. In the video, it is mentioned in relation to David Pecker, the former publisher of the tabloid, who is involved in the case against Donald Trump. The National Enquirer's role in the case is significant as it allegedly 'bought and buried' stories for Trump, which is a key element in the criminal charges he faces.

💡Michael Cohen

Michael Cohen is an attorney who formerly served as Donald Trump's personal lawyer and fixer. The term 'fixer' implies someone who manages or manipulates situations, often involving the media or public relations, to protect or benefit a client. In the video, Cohen's testimony is highlighted as a significant piece of evidence that the jury has requested to be read back, indicating his central role in the case against Trump.

💡Felony counts

Felony counts refer to the number of serious crimes that a defendant is charged with. In the video, it is stated that Trump is weighing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. These charges are directly related to the alleged concealment of a hush payment made to Stormy Daniels, which is a central issue in the trial.

💡Severe weather threat

A severe weather threat indicates a heightened risk of dangerous meteorological conditions, such as tornadoes, damaging winds, or storms. The video mentions a new severe weather threat across multiple states, with the potential for damaging winds and possible tornadoes, emphasizing the need for vigilance and preparedness in the affected areas.

💡Recuse

To recuse oneself means to voluntarily remove or disqualify oneself from a case, typically due to a conflict of interest or the appearance of bias. In the video, it is discussed that Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito refuses to recuse himself from cases involving January 6th, despite controversy surrounding flags flown outside his homes. The concept of recusal is important in maintaining the integrity and impartiality of the judicial process.

💡Body camera video

Body camera video refers to footage recorded by a camera mounted on a police officer's uniform. This type of video is often used as evidence in legal proceedings. In the video, body camera video is mentioned in the context of the case involving golfer Scottie Scheffler, where the lack of immediate footage from the officer's body camera became a point of contention.

💡Negro Leagues

The Negro Leagues were professional baseball leagues consisting primarily of African American players, which operated from the 1920s to the 1940s due to racial segregation in the United States. In the video, Major League Baseball's decision to include players from the Negro Leagues in their official record books is highlighted, correcting a historical oversight and honoring the legacy of these players.

💡Hush payment

A hush payment is a sum of money paid to someone to prevent them from disclosing potentially damaging information. In the video, it is mentioned that Trump allegedly made a $130,000 hush payment to porn star Stormy Daniels to keep her story from voters before the election, which is a key element in the criminal charges against him.

💡Grocery store shooting

A grocery store shooting refers to an incident where gunfire occurs within a supermarket. The video reports on a shooting at a busy Kroger's grocery store, with two suspects being wounded during a shoot-out with a police officer. Such incidents highlight the issue of gun violence and public safety.

Highlights

Jury deliberations begin in Donald Trump's criminal trial, with the jury requesting key testimony to be read back.

American Airlines passenger jet averts a potential collision with another plane on the runway at 110 miles per hour.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito refuses to recuse himself from January 6th cases, blaming his wife for controversial flags flown outside their homes.

Charges against world number one golfer Scottie Scheffler dropped after body camera video reveals misunderstanding.

Shooting at a busy Kroger's grocery store in Cincinnati with two suspects wounded during a shootout with police.

Deadly house explosion and fire in Middleton, Wisconsin, with at least two people killed.

New severe weather threat across multiple states with possible tornadoes and damaging winds expected.

Major League Baseball amends official record books to include players from the Negro Leagues, correcting a longtime oversight.

North Korea sends trash-filled balloons into South Korea as a form of retaliation for propaganda balloons sent from the South.

Two giant pandas promised to the Smithsonian Zoo in Washington D.C. by China before the end of the year.

President Biden makes a direct appeal to black voters in Pennsylvania, emphasizing his administration's accomplishments.

First Lady Jill Biden takes a more active role in the upcoming election, discussing the choice American voters face in November.

Evidence suggests an American-made bomb was used in Israel's deadly strike on a camp in Rafah, killing at least 50 people.

Police respond to a shooting inside a busy Kroger supermarket in Cincinnati with customers running for cover.

Authorities believe ammunition stored in a house in Middleton, Wisconsin, contributed to a deadly explosion and subsequent fire.

Millions on alert for severe storms with a dangerous line of storms expected to impact several states tomorrow.

Transcripts

00:00

>> David: TONIGHT, BREAKING NEWS

00:01

INVOLVING DONALD TRUMP.

00:02

THE JURY NOW DELIBERATING HIS

00:02

FATE AND THE TWO KEY QUESTIONS

00:05

LATE TODAY FROM THAT JURY.

00:06

>>> ALSO BREAKING, WE HAVE

00:07

LEARNED OF A VERY CLOSE CALL

00:08

BETWEEN AN AMERICAN AIRLINES

00:09

PASSENGER JET AND ANOTHER PLANE.

00:13

>>> FIRST TONIGHT, THE CASE GOES

00:16

TO THE JURY AND WITHIN HOURS THE

00:17

BELL RINGS IN COURT, THE FIRST

00:18

NOTE FROM THE JURY REQUESTING

00:19

KEY TESTIMONY READ BACK TO THEM.

00:21

WHAT THEIR REQUEST COULD SIGNAL

00:23

IN THE DONALD TRUMP CRIMINAL

00:31

TRIAL.

00:32

THEN AN HOUR LATER, THE REQUEST

00:32

REGARDING THE JUDGE'S

00:34

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE JURY AND

00:35

WHAT ALL OF THIS BEING MEAN.

00:38

>>> ALSO DEVELOPING THIS HOUR,

00:39

THE CLOSE CALL ON THE RUNWAY, AN

00:42

AMERICAN AIRLINES PASSENGER JET

00:43

BARRELING DOWN THE RUNWAY AT 110

00:45

MILES PER HOUR SECONDS FROM

00:46

TAKEOFF.

00:48

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CALLING ON

00:48

THEM TO ABORT.

00:49

ANOTHER PLANE IN THE PATH.

00:51

>>> TONIGHT, SUPREME COURT

00:52

JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO REFUSING TO

00:53

RECUSE HIMSELF FROM CASES

00:54

INVOLVING JANUARY 6th DESPITE

00:56

THE FLAG SEEN FOR A TIME FLYING

00:57

OUTSIDE BOTH OF HIS HOMES.

01:00

TONIGHT, HE'S PUTTING THE

01:01

RESPONSIBILITY ENTIRELY ON HIS

01:02

WIFE.

01:04

>>> TONIGHT, THE NEW TURN THE

01:06

WORLD'S NUMBER ONE GOLFER

01:07

ARRESTED IN LOUISVILLE, NOW THE

01:09

CHARGES DROPPED AMID THE RELEASE

01:10

OF NEW BODY CAMERA VIDEO AND

01:11

WHAT IT SHOWS.

01:12

>>> THERE'S ALSO WORD COMING IN,

01:14

THE SHOOTING AT A VERY BUSY

01:15

KROGER'S GROCERY STORE.

01:16

POLICE RACING TO THE SCENE.

01:19

WHAT THEY REVEALED MOMENTS AGO.

01:21

>>> THE DEADLY HOUSE EXPLOSION

01:21

AND FIRE TONIGHT.

01:23

AUTHORITIES NOW SAYING AT LEAST

01:24

TWO PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED.

01:28

>>> TONIGHT, THE NEW SEVERE

01:29

WEATHER THREAT AS WE COME ON THE

01:30

AIR ACROSS MULTIPLE STATES,

01:31

POSSIBLE TORNADOES, DAMAGING

01:35

WINDS, THEN THE DANGEROUS

01:36

STORMS TAKING AIM TOMORROW.

01:39

>>> "AMERICA STRONG" TONIGHT.

01:40

THE MOVE BY MAJOR LEAGUE

01:41

BASEBALL TO MAKE SURE THE STARS

01:44

OF THE NEGRO LEAGUE, THAT THEIR

01:45

STATS ARE NOW PART OF THE

01:46

MAJORS, TOO.

01:48

>>> ALSO TONIGHT, NORTH KOREA

01:48

DROPPING BALLOONS ON SOUTH KOREA

01:49

AND WHAT WAS INSIDE THEM.

01:51

>>> AND THE GIANT PANDAS ON

01:52

THEIR WAY TO AMERICA.

02:08

>> David: GOOD EVENING, AND IT'S

02:10

GREAT TO HAVE YOU WITH US HERE

02:11

ON A VERY BUSY WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

02:13

WE DO BEGIN WITH THE BREAKING

02:14

NEWS INVOLVING DONALD TRUMP AND

02:15

HIS FATE IN THE HANDS OF THE

02:16

JURY.

02:17

THEY'RE FOUR HOURS INTO THE

02:19

DELIBERATIONS, THE SIGNAL INSIDE

02:20

THAT COURTROOM, THE BELL

02:21

RINGING, THE JURY AND THEIR

02:22

FIRST NOTE SENT TO THE JUDGE.

02:24

WITH VERY SPECIFIC REQUESTS FOR

02:25

TESTIMONY TO BE READ BACK TO

02:26

THEM.

02:29

THAT TESTIMONY INVOLVES A

02:30

MEETING AT TRUMP TOWER A LITTLE

02:36

MORE THAN A YEAR BEFORE THE 2016

02:36

ELECTION.

02:37

DONALD TRUMP WAS PART OF THAT

02:38

MEETING.

02:38

THEY WANT TO HEAR TESTIMONY READ

02:39

BACK FROM THE FORMER PUBLISHER

02:40

OF "THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER" DAVID

02:45

PECKER, AND DONALD TRUMP'S

02:46

FORMER LAWYER AND FIXER, MICHAEL

02:48

COHEN, AS WELL, ALSO AT THAT

02:49

MEETING, AND HIS TESTIMONY TOO.

02:53

LATER, ABOUT AN HOUR, THE BELL

02:55

RINGING AGAIN.

02:55

THE JURY ASKING FOR THE JUDGE'S

02:58

INSTRUCTIONS READ AGAIN JUST

02:58

HOURS AFTER THEY WERE FIRST

02:59

DELIVERED BY THE JUDGE.

03:01

DAN ABRAMS IS HERE TONIGHT AND

03:02

AARON KATERSKY AT THE COURTHOUSE

03:02

LEADING US OFF.

03:05

>> Reporter: TONIGHT, THE FATE

03:06

OF DONALD TRUMP, THE FIRST

03:07

FORMER PRESIDENT EVER TO FACE

03:08

CRIMINAL CHARGES, NOW IN THE

03:09

HANDS OF THE JURY.

03:11

LESS THAN FOUR HOURS INTO

03:13

DELIBERATIONS, A BELL RANG IN

03:14

COURT, SIGNALING A NOTE FROM THE

03:15

JURORS.

03:17

THEY WANTED FOUR PIECES OF

03:21

KEY TESTIMONY READ BACK TO

03:23

THEM INCLUDING TESTIMONY FROM

03:26

DAVID PECKER, THE FORMER

03:28

NATIONAL ENQUIRER PUBLISHER WHO

03:29

BOUGHT AND BURIED STORIES FOR

03:31

TRUMP, AND ONE FROM TRUMP'S

03:33

FORMER FIXER MICHAEL COHEN ABOUT

03:35

A TRUMP TOWER MEETING WITH TRUMP

03:37

IN AUGUST 2016, WHERE

03:38

PROSECUTORS SAID THE THREE MEN

03:39

HATCHED A CONSPIRACY TO CORRUPT

03:39

THE 2016 ELECTION.

03:40

AN HOUR LATER, JURORS SENDING A

03:41

SECOND NOTE ASKING JUDGE JUAN

03:44

MERCHAN TO RE-READ INSTRUCTIONS

03:46

HE DELIVERED JUST HOURS EARLIER.

03:48

MARCHAN TOLD THEM, AS A JUROR

03:50

YOU ARE ASKED TO MAKE ANOTHER

03:53

VERY IMPORTANT DECISION ABOUT

03:55

ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY.

03:56

MARCHAN MAKING THE TOINT POT

03:58

JURORS, THINK OF THE FORMER

03:59

PRESIDENT AS ANOTHER MEMBER OF

03:59

THE COMMUNITY.

04:00

MARCHAN ALSO TELLING THE JURY,

04:02

YOU MUST SET ASIDE ANY PERSONAL

04:03

OPINIONS OR BIAS YOU MIGHT HAVE

04:04

IN FAVOR OF OR AGAINST THE

04:04

DEFENDANT AND YOU MUST NOT ALLOW

04:05

ANY SUCH OPINIONS TO INFLUENCE

04:06

YOUR VERDICT.

04:08

THE JURY'S WEIGHING 34 FELONY

04:10

COUNTS OF FALSIFYING BUSINESS

04:11

RECORDS THAT PROSECUTORS SAY

04:11

TRUMP USED TO CONCEAL A

04:17

$130,000 HUSH PAYMENT TO PORN

04:18

STAR STORMY DANIELS.

04:20

TO KEEP HER STORY FROM VOTERS

04:21

BEFORE THE ELECTION.

04:21

JURORS MUST REACH A UNANIMOUS

04:22

DECISION OF GUILTY ON EACH OF

04:23

THOSE COUNTS.

04:23

THE JURORS WERE GIVEN A LAPTOP

04:24

TO TAKE WITH THEM INTO

04:25

DELIBERATIONS.

04:27

THE COMPUTER LOADED WITH NEARLY

04:29

300 PIECES OF EVIDENCE,

04:30

INCLUDING THE CHECKS TRUMP

04:32

SIGNED TO REIMBURSE COHEN, WHO

04:33

WIRED DANIELS THE MONEY, AND THE

04:35

INVOICES COHEN SENT THAT

04:37

MENTIONED A RETAINER AGREEMENT

04:38

THAT HE SAID DID NOT EXIST.

04:41

MERCHAN TOLD THE JURORS THEY MAY

04:42

NOT DECIDE THE CASE BASED SOLELY

04:45

ON COHEN'S TESTIMONY BECAUSE

04:49

HE'S AN ACCOMPLICE TO THE

04:49

ALLEGED CRIME.

04:50

IN OTHER WORDS, THE JUDGE SAID,

04:51

EVEN IF YOU FIND THE TESTIMONY

04:51

OF MICHAEL COHEN TO BE

04:52

BELIEVABLE, YOU MAY NOT CONVICT

04:53

THE DEFENDANT SOLELY UPON THAT

04:55

TESTIMONY UNLESS YOU ALSO FIND

04:57

THAT IT WAS CORROBORATED BY

04:58

OTHER EVIDENCE.

05:01

IN CLOSING ARGUMENTS, DEFENSE

05:01

ATTORNEY TODD BLANCHE TELLING

05:03

THE JURY COHEN "LIED TO YOU

05:04

REPEATEDLY," CALLING HIM THE

05:05

"GREATEST LIAR OF ALL TIME," THE

05:06

"MVP OF LIARS," AND SAYING

05:08

TRUMP'S FORMER FIXER CAME TO THE

05:09

WITNESS STAND BENT ON REVENGE,

05:10

WITH "AN AX TO GRIND."

05:13

PROSECUTOR JOSHUA STEINGLASS

05:19

SAID, WE DIDN'T PICK HIM UP IN A

05:20

WITNESS STORE.

05:21

THE DEFENDANT PICKED HIM AS A

05:22

FIXER BECAUSE HE WAS WILLING TO

05:22

LIE AND CHEAT.

05:23

THE 12 PERSON JURY, 5 WOMEN AND

05:24

7 MEN, INCLUDES 2 NATIVE

05:24

NEW YORKERS AND 2 IMMIGRANTS.

05:27

THERE ARE TWO ATTORNEYS, A

05:27

SPEECH THERAPIST, AND A TEACHER.

05:28

THEY ALL SAID THEY COULD BE FAIR

05:29

AND IMPARTIAL.

05:31

THE JUDGE WITH A FINAL MESSAGE,

05:32

URGING THEM TO LISTEN TO EACH

05:33

OTHER, BUT SAYING "YOU SHOULD

05:34

NOT SURRENDER AN HONEST VIEW OF

05:36

THE EVIDENCE SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU

05:38

WANT THE TRIAL TO END OR BECAUSE

05:40

YOU'RE OUTVOTED."

05:41

TRUMP SPEAKING OUTSIDE COURT --

05:43

>> MOTHER TERESA COULD NOT BEAT

05:46

THESE CHARGES, BUT WE'LL SEE.

05:50

>> Reporter: LATE TODAY INSIDE

05:51

THAT COURTROOM, DAVID, DEFENSE

05:53

ATTORNEYS AND PROSECUTORS STOOD

05:54

OVER THICK STACKS OF

05:55

TRANSCRIPTS, HASHING OUT WHICH

05:57

PORTIONS OF THE TESTIMONY TO

05:59

RE-READ TO THE JURY IN ADDITION

06:00

TO THE JUDGE'S INSTRUCTIONS.

06:00

THAT'S WHERE THE JURY WILL PICK

06:02

UP FIRST THING TOMORROW MORNING,

06:03

DAVID.

06:04

>> David: AARON KATERSKY LEADING

06:06

US OFF AT THE COURTHOUSE, AARON,

06:07

THANK YOU.

06:08

LET'S GET TO LEGAL ANALYST DAN

06:09

ABRAMS TONIGHT TO ANSWER SOME OF

06:10

YOUR QUESTIONS LIKELY AT HOME.

06:11

FIRST OF ALL, THIS WAS REALLY

06:12

INTERESTING BECAUSE WE HEARD THE

06:14

JUDGE INSTRUCT THE JURY TODAY

06:16

NOT TO BASE THEIR DECISION,

06:19

GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY, BASED

06:20

SOLELY ON MICHAEL COHEN.

06:21

WITHIN HOURS THEY ASKED THEIR

06:22

FIRST REQUEST, VERY SPECIFIC AND

06:24

THEY WANT TESTIMONY NOT JUST

06:25

FROM MICHAEL COHEN, BUT FROM

06:26

DAVID PECKER FROM "THE NATIONAL

06:27

ENQUIRER."

06:29

HOW SIGNIFICANT WAS THAT AND HOW

06:33

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF HOW SPECIFIC

06:35

THEIR REQUESTS WERE SO EARLY ON?

06:37

>> LOOK, IT TELLS US THEY'RE

06:38

TAKING THE PROSECUTION'S THEORY

06:41

THEY'RE ASKING A LOT OF

06:42

QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS 2015

06:43

MEETING AT TRUMP TOWER WHICH

06:44

PROSECUTORS ARGUED WAS THE

06:46

BEGINNING OF THE SCHEME BETWEEN

06:48

DAVID PECKER AND MICHAEL COHEN

06:50

AND DONALD TRUMP.

06:50

AND THEN THREE OF THE FOUR

06:54

REQUESTS RELATE TO SPECIFIC

06:55

CONVERSATIONS WITH DONALD TRUMP

06:58

HIMSELF, BECAUSE THAT'S ONE OF

06:59

THE CRITICAL QUESTIONS IN THE

07:00

CASE IS EXACTLY WHAT DID DONALD

07:01

TRUMP KNOW ABOUT THIS, NOT WHAT

07:01

WAS MICHAEL COHEN DOING, BUT

07:03

WHAT DID DONALD TRUMP KNOW?

07:06

SO IT'S INTERESTING IF THE

07:07

JURORS NOW LASER FOCUSED ON

07:08

THOSE MEETINGS WHERE DONALD

07:09

TRUMP WAS PRESENT OR ON THE

07:10

PHONE.

07:11

>> THE BELL GOES OFF IN THE

07:15

COURTROOM, THAT WAS THEIR FIRST

07:16

REQUEST.

07:16

THERE WERE FOUR PARTS TO THAT

07:18

REQUEST.

07:18

AN HOUR LATER, THE BELL RINGS

07:19

AGAIN.

07:20

THEY WANT THE JURY INSTRUCTIONS

07:21

FROM THE JUDGE READ BACK TO THEM

07:21

AGAIN JUST HOURS LATER.

07:26

A LOT OF FOLKS AT HOME MIGHT

07:26

SAY, DOES THIS MEAN THERE'S

07:27

DISAGREEMENT INSIDE THE JURY

07:28

ROOM OR DOES IT MEAN THEY WANT

07:31

TO BE CLEAR-EYED ABOUT WHAT IT

07:33

IS THEY HAVE TO DECIDE HERE?

07:34

>> IT COULD MEAN THERE'S SOME

07:36

DISSENSION, BUT NEW YORK LAW IS

07:39

DIFFERENT THAN FEDERAL LAW IN

07:40

THE SENSE THE JURORS DON'T GET

07:41

TO TAKE THE JURY INSTRUCTIONS

07:42

BACK WITH THEM INTO THE JURY

07:43

ROOM.

07:44

SO IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

07:45

ABOUT WHAT THE LAW IS THEY

07:46

LITERALLY HAVE TO ASK THE JUDGE

07:47

TO RE-READ IT IN COURT.

07:49

THE QUESTION IS GOING TO BE

07:50

EXACTLY WHAT IS HE GOING TO

07:54

RE-READ?

07:55

BUT THOSE JURY INSTRUCTIONS ARE

07:56

CRITICAL, AND THAT COULD BE

07:57

SOMETHING THAT THEY END UP

07:58

FIGHTING OVER AT SOME POINT IN

07:58

THE JURY ROOM.

08:01

>> David: DAN ABRAMS WITH US

08:02

HERE TONIGHT.

08:03

DAN AND AARON, OUR THANKS TO YOU

08:04

BOTH.

08:05

WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW

08:05

NIGHT.

08:07

>>> WE TURN TO THE OTHER

08:08

DEVELOPING HEADLINE TONIGHT.

08:09

SUPREME COURT JUSTICE

08:10

SAMUEL ALITO REFUSING TO RECUSE

08:11

HIMSELF FROM CASES INVOLVING

08:12

JANUARY 6th DESPITE THE FLAGS

08:14

SEEN FOR A TIME FLYING OUTSIDE

08:16

BOTH OF HIS HOMES.

08:18

TONIGHT, HE'S NOW PUTTING THE

08:19

RESPONSIBILITY ENTIRELY ON HIS

08:20

WIFE.

08:22

TERRY MORAN COVERS THE COURT.

08:24

>> Reporter: AFTER DAYS OF CALLS

08:25

FOR HIM TO STEP ASIDE FROM ALL

08:26

SUPREME COURT CASES STEMMING

08:28

FROM JANUARY 6th BECAUSE OF TWO

08:30

FLAGS FLOWN OUTSIDE HIS HOMES,

08:32

TODAY JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO TOLD

08:34

CONGRESS HE WILL NOT RECUSE

08:34

HIMSELF.

08:36

IN A LETTER TO LAWMAKERS, ALITO

08:38

WROTE THAT HE WAS NOT INVOLVED

08:39

IN THE DECISIONS TO FLY EITHER

08:41

OF THE FLAGS AT ISSUE, AND THAT

08:42

BOTH WERE RAISED BY HIS WIFE

08:44

MARTHA ANN, ADDING, "MY WIFE IS

08:45

FOND OF FLYING FLAGS.

08:46

I AM NOT."

08:48

"THE NEW YORK TIMES" FIRST

08:49

PUBLISHED THIS PHOTOGRAPH

08:51

SHOWING THE AMERICAN FLAG

08:52

OUTSIDE ALITO'S HOUSE, FLYING

08:54

UPSIDE DOWN, TRADITIONALLY A

08:55

SIGNAL OF DIRE EMERGENCY.

08:57

"THE TIMES" SAYS THE PICTURE WAS

08:59

TAKEN IN JANUARY 2021, JUST DAYS

09:00

AFTER THE JANUARY 6th ATTACK ON

09:01

THE CAPITOL.

09:03

SOME TRUMP SUPPORTERS THAT DAY

09:05

HELD UPSIDE-DOWN AMERICAN FLAGS

09:06

AS A SIGN OF THEIR REJECTION OF

09:08

JOE BIDEN'S ELECTION.

09:09

JUSTICE ALITO RESPONDED TO THE

09:11

STORY, BLAMING HIS WIFE.

09:14

ALITO ADDING TODAY, "AS I HAVE

09:16

STATED PUBLICLY, I HAD NOTHING

09:17

WHATSOEVER TO DO WITH THE FLYING

09:18

OF THE FLAG.

09:19

I WAS NOT EVEN AWARE OF THE

09:20

UPSIDE-DOWN FLAG UNTIL IT WAS

09:21

CALLED TO MY ATTENTION.

09:23

AS SOON AS I SAW IT, I ASKED MY

09:24

WIFE TO TAKE IT DOWN.

09:25

BUT FOR SEVERAL DAYS, SHE

09:27

REFUSED."

09:29

THE JUSTICE EXPLAINING THAT,

09:31

"SHE WAS GREATLY DISTRESSED AT

09:32

THE TIME DUE, IN LARGE PART, TO

09:33

A VERY NASTY NEIGHBORHOOD

09:36

DISPUTE."

09:37

ALITO DEFENDING HER RIGHT TO

09:38

FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

09:41

"MY WIFE IS A PRIVATE CITIZEN,

09:42

AND SHE POSSESSES THE SAME FIRST

09:43

AMENDMENT RIGHTS AS EVERY OTHER

09:43

AMERICAN."

09:44

BUT SOME LEGAL EXPERTS SAY

09:45

JUSTICE ALITO HAS A

09:46

RESPONSIBILITY TO APPEAR

09:48

IMPARTIAL AND THAT FLAG MAY HAVE

09:50

COMPROMISED HIM IN THE JANUARY

09:50

6th CASES.

09:53

THE OTHER FLAG, A PINETREE FLAG

09:54

SEEN IN THESE IMAGES PUBLISHED

09:56

BY "THE NEW YORK TIMES" OUTSIDE

09:57

THE ALITOS' NEW JERSEY BEACH

09:59

HOME LAST SUMMER, A

10:00

REVOLUTIONARY WAR FLAG ALSO

10:02

CARRIED BY SOME PRO-TRUMP

10:04

SUPPORTERS ON JANUARY 6th.

10:05

ALITO EXPLAINED THAT HIS WIFE

10:07

FLEW ALL KINDS OF FLAGS THERE --

10:09

TEAM FLAGS, COLLEGE FLAGS,

10:10

PATRIOTIC FLAGS, AND MORE,

10:11

ADDING, "I WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH

10:13

THE 'APPEAL TO HEAVEN' FLAG WHEN

10:14

MY WIFE FLEW IT.

10:16

I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY

10:18

CONNECTION BETWEEN THAT HISTORIC

10:19

FLAG AND THE 'STOP THE STEAL

10:19

MOVEMENT,' AND NEITHER WAS MY

10:20

WIFE."

10:25

CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS AND SOME

10:26

LEGAL EXPERTS ARE SAYING ALITO'S

10:26

LETTER IS NOT ENOUGH AND IT

10:30

HIGHLIGHTS THE COURT'S REAL

10:32

PROBLEM, THE JUSTICES JUDGE

10:34

THEMSELVES, AND THE ONLY WAY TO