NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Friday, May 31, 2024

Episode Date: June 1, 2024

Trump hits back after historic felony conviction; Trump's lead lawyer says team expected a conviction; Texas Supreme Court rejects legal challenge to state's strict abortion law; and more on tonight��s broadcast.

Tonight, former President Trump lashing out the day after the historic verdict convicting him of 34 felonies. The Trump legal team bowing to appeal, questioning the fairness of the judge and jury. Mr. Trump claiming without evidence that the New York court acted in conjunction with the White House and the DOJ in a rigged trial. President Biden in his first comments calling the claims dangerous. But will it change the political landscape with the election rapidly approaching? Mr. Trump raking in campaign donations in the hours after the verdict. And what about voters as a nation makes sense of a historic moment? Our team coverage ahead.

Also tonight, the new legal defeat for abortion in Texas. The state Supreme Court rejecting the latest challenge to one of the country's most restrictive abortion laws. President Biden urging Hamas to accept a new Israeli peace proposal, saying it's time for the war to end. Why there is new optimism tonight. Just in, the sentence for Michelle Draconis, convicted of helping her boyfriend plot to kill his estranged wife. O.J. prices are at record highs. What's driving them up? This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt.

Good evening and welcome. Donald Trump today, unrepentant, defiant and casting himself as the aggrieved one as newspapers across the country proclaimed a New York jury's finding of guilt against the former president in his falsified documents trial. Today at Trump Tower, the very place the crimes at the heart of the case took place, Mr. Trump stood before gathered reporters and some supporters, and what appeared to be an unscripted monologue, he railed against the judge, called the trial unfair and rigged, and without evidence, accused President Biden of being behind it. Complaints picked up by many of Mr. Trump's supporters tonight. President Biden, in his first post-verdict comments, pointed out

the jury's unanimous verdict and warned it is reckless to say the system is rigged. It's where we begin tonight with Hallie Jackson. Donald Trump, defiant as ever, railing against the dubious history he's made as the first former president convicted of felonies. If they can do this to me, they can do this to anyone. As supporters outside Trump Tower flew a flag reading Trump or death, inside, Mr. Trump insisted he'd wanted to take the stand in his own defense. He had the choice and chose not to. I wanted to testify. The theory is you never testify because as soon as you testify, anybody, if it were George Washington, don't testify

because he'll get you on something that you said slightly wrong. Then, a laundry list of false claims, grudges, and grievances, including against the Democratic prosecutor who won the case against him. It's a very sad thing that's happening in our country. And it's a it's a thing that I'm honored in a way I'm honored because somebody has to do it. And I might as well keep going and be the one. The verdict galvanizing the GOP behind him The Trump campaign saying they raised a massive $35 million online In the hours after the conviction came down

And with Republicans rallying around him There's virtually no chance he'll be kicked off the presidential ticket This was a political smear job This was an attack job This is what you see in banana republics I think Trump benefits from this I think they elected a president last night I do believe the Supreme Court should step in. Very few breaking ranks,

not even Mike Pence, who's refused to endorse his former running mate, calling the conviction a disservice to the nation. Democrats disagree. The American principle that no one is above the law was reaffirmed. President Biden, who's kept his distance from Mr. Trump's legal problems, speaking today from the White House. It's reckless. It's dangerous. It's irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged just because they don't like the verdict. The justice system should be respected and we should never allow anyone to tear it down. One New York Democrat dancing in celebration on TikTok after the verdict.

Others arguing the conviction shows the system worked. I felt some relief and vindication for the rule of law. The verdict, unprecedented. Its impact, unclear in a race already unpredictable. Do you think this conviction helps Trump in the election? Only about three in 10 voters in key battlegrounds say they've been following Mr. Trump's legal issues closely. I don't even know what he got convicted for. Some 10 to 20 percent of independents suggest they'd be less likely to vote for Mr. Trump if convicted,

even as two thirds of all voters say a guilty verdict wouldn't make a difference. A hypothetical before, but a reality now for voters in battleground states. My immediate response was finally accountability. I believe Mr. Trump has broken the law. I think it's been a witch hunt since the very beginning. Hallie, joining me here in the studio, the former president's sentencing is going to come at a very critical moment. That's right, Lester, just four days before the start of the Republican convention where he's expected to accept the nomination. And once he does, a U.S. official tells NBC News, despite Mr. Trump's conviction, he is still likely to receive those intelligence briefings

traditional for presidential nominees. All right. We're also joined by our senior legal correspondent, Laura Jarrett. We've had a day to absorb all this. Where does this case go from here? Yes, Lester, a lot of focus today on the gag order. That's the one that bars him from attacking witnesses and others. The judge has not lifted that order, even though the trial is over. And while the verdict came swiftly, any appeal likely taking months, if not more, to resolve. 24 hours after the historic verdict, a vow to challenge it. We're going to be appealing this scam. We're going to be appealing it on many different things. Former President Trump's attorney Todd Blanche telling NBC's Savannah Guthrie he's confident they'll win on appeal, arguing the case was doomed from the start, pointing to the jury pool in deep blue Manhattan.

We didn't think we were going to get a fair shake in Manhattan, and we didn't. Blanche today also taking aim at Judge Juan Merchan for not recusing himself. Merchan contributed $15 to President Biden's 2020 campaign, and his daughter is a Democratic political consultant. We felt very strongly that there was an actual bias that this judge had, and even if not an actual bias, that there was certainly a perception of bias. A New York appeals court recently upheld Mershon's decision to stay on the case. Perhaps the most fruitful possible grounds for appeal, legal, not political, including the fact prosecutors relied on a novel

legal theory to escalate what would normally be a misdemeanor books and records charge to a felony. And the defense also zeroing in on the credibility of star prosecution witness Michael Cohen. I do not think Michael Cohen should ever be somebody who can be relied upon to convict somebody. But the jury reached their verdict after being instructed twice they could not convict on Cohen's word alone. Cohen today reacting to the verdict. I let out just a gasp of air. So this has been a long time coming for accountability.

The former president expected back in court for sentencing on July 11th, facing the possibility of up to four years in prison. But probation more likely, given the low-level nonviolent felony conviction, his age, and lack of other criminal convictions. Nothing in the Constitution preventing him from running or winning re-election. Laura Jarrett, NBC News, New York. Also tonight, Texas' restrictive abortion law will stand after a legal challenge. It came from women who were denied abortions even though they had serious pregnancy complications. Marissa Parra on the legal fallout.

Tonight, the Texas Supreme Court unanimously rejecting the toughest legal challenge yet to the state's strict abortion law, getting rid of a temporary injunction that allowed Texans with complicated pregnancies to get an abortion if their doctor made a, quote, good faith judgment. It's gut wrenching. Amanda Zyrowski and her husband were devastated when they learned their unborn baby would not survive. I thought what they would do is go in and intervene immediately. But she told me that they couldn't because the baby's heart was still beating and I wasn't sick. NBC spoke with her exclusively last year. Because of the law, I very nearly died. Nothing about this is pro-life. Amanda was forced to wait until she was diagnosed with a life threatening case of sepsis before being provided an abortion and says vague state law surrounding exemptions put her

health and the health of many others at risk. She is one of 22 women represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights who sued the state last year. Doctors are facing a prison term of 99 years in prison. And what is not clear is under what circumstances, how close to death do the women need to be to be able to be eligible for an abortion? Today's unanimous opinion from the state's Republican justices says the exceptions to prevent a woman's death or serious bodily injury are clear as written. Amanda disagrees. Disappointing isn't the right word for how I felt about the opinion, I am actually infuriated that in the justices' decision. But John Segoe, president of Texas Right to Life, who helped craft the Texas Heartbeat Act, agrees with the court. The court really was faithful to the law and clarified exactly what the law says and how it should be interpreted.

The ruling marking yet another chapter in post-Roe America and a tricky legal roadmap surrounding pregnancy. Marissa Parra, NBC News. Almost eight months since the Hamas terror attacks that sparked the war in Gaza, President Biden is calling on Hamas to accept the latest Israeli proposal for a ceasefire. And tonight, a somewhat positive reaction from Hamas. Kelly O'Donnell has more. Today, President Biden made a new and explicit call for peace in Gaza. It's time for this war to end. Endorsing an Israeli-backed three-stage proposal that would return hostages, release Palestinian prisoners, and lead to an immediate six-week ceasefire. The president said Israel's military has accomplished a key goal after the Hamas terror attack. Hamas no longer is capable

of carrying out another October 7th. It's one of Israel's main objectives in this war and quite frankly a righteous one. The plan would withdraw Israeli forces from populated areas and ultimately include a major reconstruction of Gaza. The president with a blunt message to Hamas. Hamas says it wants to cease fire. This deal is an opportunity to prove whether they really mean it. Hamas needs to take the deal. Late today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he authorized negotiations, but will not stop until Hamas is completely defeated. Against a backdrop of intense political pressure, including for the president, with protests around the world,

today, Mr. Biden asked for help. Everyone who wants peace now must raise their voices and let the leaders know they should take this deal. In a statement, Hamas said it views positively President Biden's support for a permanent ceasefire. Lester. All right, Kelly, thank you. And just in Michelle Triconis was sentenced to 20 years in prison for helping her boyfriend plot and cover up the murder of his wife, Jennifer Dulos. Emily Aketa has details. Five years since Connecticut mother Jennifer Dulos' disappearance, tonight the woman convicted of helping plan and cover up her

killing alongside Dulos' estranged husband now knows her fate. The judge sentenced Michelle Traconis to 20 years in prison. Suspended after 14 and one half years, five years probation. Following heart-wrenching statements from Doulos' family. For years, we searched for her remains, tracking down every lead. Traconis appearing emotional as the victim's daughter spoke, just 10 years old when she lost her mom. Michelle Traconis to me is the reason I feel completely lost and alone on nights when I cannot sleep. She's the reason why I've blocked out my childhood and that day so much I can barely remember it. Jennifer Dulos went missing in May of 2019. Police quickly

zeroed in on her estranged husband, Traconis' boyfriend, who sat down with NBC's Dateline before he was charged with murder and later died by suicide. Fotis, did you have anything to do with Jennifer's disappearance? I did not, but I'd like to leave it at that. Traconis addressing their relationship today in court. I deeply regret ever being in a relationship with Fotis Doulos and bringing my daughter, my family, and myself into our lives, into his life. Still tonight, her attorney vowing to appeal in a case that's gripped the country. Emily Ikeda, NBC News. Police in Canton, Ohio released body camera video showing a police dog attacking

a man during an arrest. And we should warn you, the video is disturbing. You can see the man already on the ground with his hands behind his back before the dog pounces and appears to bite him with people screaming in the background. It's unclear why the dog was let loose on him. The officer handling the dog has been put on paid leave. In 60 seconds, remembering Michelle Obama's late mother. And later, finally, some relief for people with asthma who struggle with the soaring price of inhalers. The new price cap set to take effect this weekend. We're back with sad news from the Obama family. Michelle Obama's mother,

Marion Robinson, passed away peacefully this morning at age 86. Robinson moved to the White House from Chicago to help take care of her granddaughters, Malia and Sasha, during the Obama administration. President Obama has credited her with keeping them grounded growing up in the White House. Also tonight, relief for millions of Americans who struggle with asthma and the chance for a dramatic price drop for inhalers this weekend. But as Anne Thompson reports, for many, more help is needed. Teresa? Yep. Teresa Brunson Brown can't remember when she didn't struggle with chronic asthma. I can't catch my breath.

Inhalers deliver medicine to her inflamed lungs, but the yo-yoing prices from $4 to $150 a month, even with insurance, means this health care worker can't always afford it. How often have you gone without refilling your inhaler? I've went like months, and I just try to do the best I can or use my breathing machine. Rationing isn't an option for Kiowa Ricks. You ready? Her six-year-old son Lucas needs his inhaler twice a day, no matter the cost. The last one he was on, they wanted $500 a month. When you started this, how much was his inhaler? When he first started, it was $10 a month. Easy, simple.

Following government pressure, on June 1st, two of the four largest inhaler manufacturers will cap copay prices at $35 a month. A third will join by next year. Hi, Ms. Ricks, how are you? Dr. Alan Baptist says this will help the 30% of patients he sees in the Detroit area who can't afford the cornerstone of their care. I think this is a great step in the right direction, but it's in some ways just a band-aid on the bigger problem that we have, the outrageous cost of pharmaceutical and drug prices in the United States.

High prices that he says play a role in the racial disparities in asthma care, with Black Americans 30% more likely to have asthma than white Americans. To take advantage of the new price cap, make sure your doctor is aware. Check to see if your inhaler is included. And if you can't get it for $35 at the pharmacy, go to the manufacturer's website for help. But for families like the Ricks, it is not enough. I wish I could go back to the price we were paying for it. $10?

Yeah, I can't really control that. For medicine, that is priceless. Ann Thompson, NBC News, Detroit. We are back in a moment with why the cost of orange juice is soaring and why it might be here to stay. There is a growing problem in the groves that fill America's orange juice glasses, and it's leaving the beloved breakfast staple more expensive than ever. Here's Christine Romans. In Florida, fourth-generation citrus farmer Kyle Story is smack in the middle of an industry in crisis. We try to be optimistic. We're farmers. We're optimists by nature. But he's all too aware of the problem. Orange juice prices this week hitting all-time highs,

up 56 percent just this year, with little relief in sight. Production in Florida challenged by extreme weather events like Hurricane Ian in 2022. Harvests have been declining in recent years. We face a lot of challenges beyond our control, weather being the main one. Just here in recent months, we've had severe drought in most of the state. And the even bigger squeeze comes from further south in Brazil, the largest orange producer in the world, where volatile, warmer weather means this season's crop will be the smallest since 1989 and down 24% from last year.

Is it an overstatement to say there's a crisis in orange juice production? Well, to put it bluntly, this problem is not going to go away in the short term. It's here to stay. During lean seasons, manufacturers rely on frozen stockpiles to meet demand. Now, industry experts say juice makers may need to adjust their blends with other fruits, as growers are hoping to get orange production levels back to normal. We're focused on deploying the proper therapies in the groves to make the trees as healthy as we can so that we can produce not only quantity, but we want to produce the quality that we know we have. And hopefully help make those prices at the supermarket a bit easier to swallow.

Christine Romans, NBC News. And that's nightly news for this Friday. Thank you for watching. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night.