NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Monday, February 26, 2024

Episode Date: February 27, 2024

Manhattan D.A. asks for a gag order in Trump's hush money case, Congress is under increasing pressure to prevent a government shutdown, and a new treatment for food allergies shows promise.

Tonight, the presidential primary race moving on to Battleground, Michigan, as Donald Trump finds himself facing another potential legal hurdle. The Manhattan D.A. asking the judge for a gag order in the former president's hush money case before the trial next month. It comes hours before polls open in Michigan. Mr. Trump taking on Nikki Haley days after beating her in a landslide in her home state, South Carolina. And just in, President Biden raising hopes of a new ceasefire in Gaza, when he says it could happen. Also tonight, just released the dramatic body cam from the deadly shooting at Joel Osteen's megachurch, what it reveals.

Also tonight, the disturbing protests, the active duty U.S. airmen live streaming as he lit himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, shouting, quote, free Palestine. We've now learned he has died from his injuries. The deadline to avert a government shutdown just four days away. Can Congress cut a deal in time? The college wrestler found dead in his Kentucky dorm. A fellow student charged, and now we've learned they were teammates. The American couple in the Caribbean, their yacht hijacked by escaped prisoners. The mystery, what happened to them? And as Beyonce tops the country

charts, we're settling up for the historic ride through her hometown. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. Good evening and welcome on this eve of the Michigan presidential primaries where Donald Trump hopes to continue to run the table on Republican challenger Nikki Haley. But today, the former president reminded once more that not all of his battles are at the voting booth. The Manhattan District Attorney asking the judge in the criminal hush money case against Mr. Trump to impose a partial gag order, citing Mr. Trump's long history of making public and inflammatory remarks and proceedings against him. That case is scheduled to go to trial late next month. Around the time,

Mr. Trump could be close to clinching the nomination. Meantime, tomorrow's Michigan primary could also expose challenges President Biden is facing in the run to November. Gabe Gutierrez reports. Tonight, former President Trump facing another potential legal battle. Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg asking for a gag order banning Mr. Trump from commenting on witnesses, prosecutors, or jurors to protect the integrity of the upcoming trial where he's accused of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn star. The Republican frontrunner has slammed the case as a political effort by a Democratic DA to derail his presidential campaign. All of it as Nikki Haley ramps up her attacks on Mr. Trump.

Donald Trump is now turning the Republican Party into his own playpen. Haley in Michigan today after a landslide defeat in her home state, South Carolina. And now a key conservative group created by the billionaire Koch brothers says it will stop donating to the Haley campaign, writing, we don't believe any outside group can make a material difference to widen her path to victory. The former president now having won the first four contests by wide margins is looking ahead to the general election. We're going to look at Joe Biden and we're going to look him right in the eye. He's destroying our country and we're going to say, Joe, you're fired. Tomorrow's primary here in Michigan is high stakes not just for Haley,

but for President Biden, who's facing fierce backlash over the Israel-Hamas war. Free, free Palestine! Voters from Michigan's huge Arab-American population have demanded the president support a ceasefire. Some now plan to vote uncommitted in protest. My direct message to President Biden is that you cannot continue to use my American tax dollars to aid and abet an ongoing genocide of my people. Late today, President Biden said he hopes for a deal to release the hostages held by Hamas soon. My hope is by next Monday, we'll have a ceasefire. Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a national co-chair of Biden's campaign.

What if uncommitted has a strong showing in this primary? I think there will be a sizable number of votes for uncommitted. I think that it is every person's right to make their statement about what's important to them. Whitmer now under pressure to deliver the state for President Biden. And she brushes off voter concerns about his age, saying the president could serve until he's 86. He's got an incredible amount of accomplishments done. And I have every confidence in his ability to serve out a full second term. Should alarm bells be going off for the Biden campaign in Michigan?

Well, I think Michigan is the kind of state you can never take for granted. What do you say to those people within the Democratic Party who would like a candidate, a younger candidate such as yourself, to replace President Biden? I would say the train's out of the station. Get on board. And Gabe, immigration has become a major campaign issue. And now we've learned both President Biden and former President Trump will be going to the border. Yes, Lester, the White House announced today that President Biden will visit the southern border on Thursday. Earlier, former President Trump had said he'd be at the border on Thursday. So it's expected to be quite the split screen, Lester.

All right, Gabe Gutierrez, thank you. Another major story we've been following, police in Houston today releasing body cam video from the shooting at Joel Osteen's Mega Church earlier this month. Emily Aketa on what it reveals. We have to warn you, the images are disturbing. Tonight, new video of the terrifying moments when a shooter started firing at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston. You can see an officer realize something was terribly wrong ahead of the Spanish service. Could God just be with us? Police say a 47-year-old church member was shot in the hip.

We're at Lakewood Church. We need units now. Stand up or I'm going to kill you! Body camera footage released today by Houston police capturing the chilling commands from the shooter identified as 36-year-old Genesee Yvonne Moreno, carrying an AR-15 with the word Palestine written on it. Police say Moreno died in the shootout with off-duty officers. The TABC agent told Ms. Moreno to put her weapon down, but she refused.

The agent fired his duty weapon again, striking her. She was declared deceased at the scene. Wearing a trench coat and backpack, Marino brought her seven-year-old son from her car into the church. He can be seen covering his ears at one point before he was struck by gunfire in the head. Tonight, Houston's police chief says the young boy is still fighting for his life two weeks later, adding no child should ever be placed in that position. As the investigation into the shooting that rattled this close-knit community continues. Emily Ikeda, NBC News. In Washington, a U.S. airman died overnight after setting himself on fire in front of the

Israeli embassy. Pentagon correspondent Courtney Kuby is following this. Courtney, what happened? Lester, the video is haunting. Aaron Bushnell was live streaming as he walked up to the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C., called the war in Gaza a genocide, and then, wearing his Air Force uniform, he set himself on fire, continuing to call for a free Palestine. The video, too graphic to show. D.C. police say he is 25 years old, based in San Antonio, Texas, and, according to a source familiar, he's an enlisted airman assigned to an Air Force intelligence unit. He died at a local hospital Sunday night.

And, Courtney, the Pentagon released a review into Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's secretive hospitalization last month. Yeah, that's right, Lester. Eight weeks after Secretary Austin's hospitalization for complications from prostate cancer surgery. Today, the Pentagon released a summary of their classified review into how Austin could be hospitalized in critical care for days without anyone informing the White House. But Lester, it still does not explain how that happened or hold anyone accountable. Lester. Courtney Kuby at the Pentagon. Thank you. Tonight, we're watching a late winter heat wave in much of the country. Highs tomorrow and today surging into the 70s and 80s in the plains and Midwest and the 90s in Texas. Dozens of records are likely to be matched or broken before a cold front moves through.

That will threaten severe weather starting tomorrow in some places. In Atlanta, a vigil late today for the young woman killed as she was jogging on the campus of the University of Georgia. As we learn more about the suspect in the case, Marissa Parra is there with late details. Thank you all so much for being here today. Emotions on high tonight as students at the University of Georgia remember 22-year-old Laken Riley. Laken showed devotion throughout every avenue of her life. Murdered on campus last Thursday while she was out running. Tributes pouring in.

One friend writing, you exuded kindness and acceptance to anyone you met. The suspect charged 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra. Police say they didn't know each other. I think this was a crime of opportunity. Immigration officials say Ibarra, a Venezuelan citizen, was previously arrested when he illegally entered the U.S. in 2022. A year later, he was arrested in New York City for endangering a child under 17. He was released both times. Lakin's death is a direct result of failed policies on the federal level and an

unwillingness by this White House to secure the southern border. Riley's death igniting a political firestorm. State House Speaker John Burns indicating that the Georgia House this week will take steps on illegal immigration and look at, quote, ways to strengthen the security of our state. Outrage growing on social media over Riley's murder from female runners across the country. I shouldn't have to worry about getting killed on my run. And women on UGA campus afraid to walk alone, some carrying pepper spray for the first time. I always have my pocket knife in my backpack. Did you have your pocket knife in your backpack this time last week?

No. From anxiety to anguish, emotions on full display. Campus is really heavy right now. We're all heartbroken. A community grieving the loss of a life and their sense of safety. Marissa Parra, NBC News, Athens, Georgia. In Kentucky, police say a student on the wrestling team at Campbellsville University was found dead in his dorm room over the weekend, killed by a former wrestler at the school. Police say 18-year-old freshman

Josiah Killman was strangled. 21-year-old Charles Escalera was arrested and charged with murder. A motive has not been determined. In Washington, congressional leaders face a Friday night deadline to strike a deal to fund the federal government and avert a partial government shutdown. Ryan Nobles is at the Capitol for us. Ryan, what's the latest on all this? Well, Lester, the pressure is growing tonight on the House Speaker Mike Johnson with the possibility that a third of the federal government could shut down as soon as Friday, impacting departments like the Food and Drug Administration and Veterans Affairs. Now, Johnson is working to find a bipartisan compromise that at the same time

won't alienate the most conservative Republicans. Republicans and Democrats right now blaming each other for this impasse. Now, at the same time, there is the real possibility that the government could shut down in its totality just a week later. Now, the four congressional leaders will meet with President Biden at the White House tomorrow. It's also important to point out that this spending showdown has led to a delay in acting on that supplemental aid package, which is designed to help both Ukraine and Israel. Lester. Ryan Nobles at the Capitol. Thanks.

At the Supreme Court today, a major First Amendment case. The question whether states can stop social media companies from moderating certain content. Senior legal correspondent Laura Jarrett has more. It's a First Amendment fight for the digital age. The justices today wrestling with a pair of sweeping laws restricting how social media giants like Facebook and Google decide what and who you see online. These big tech oligarchs have made themselves the gatekeepers of free speech, and nobody gets to do that in America. The government cannot violate the First Amendment, and it especially cannot do so in the name of preserving free speech. That is Orwellian. At issue, laws passed in Texas and Florida after former President Donald Trump was kicked off social media in the wake of

the Capitol attack on January 6th. The state's restricting social media platforms from blocking users for their views and burying certain content, moves they say are needed because conservative voices are stifled online. But the companies say those laws infringe on their free speech rights, hampering their ability to police their own platforms, a concern the justices highlighted during arguments today. When the government excludes speech from the public square, that is obviously a violation of the First Amendment. When a private individual or private entity makes decisions about what to include and what to

exclude, that's protected, generally, editorial discretion. The ultimate outcome likely turning on whether the high court views social media giants more like newspapers, free to make their own editorial choices, or more like phone companies open to all, regardless of what a customer says or writes. And Laura, you listen to the arguments. Did you get a sense which way they're leaning on this? Lester, this is a tricky one. Many of the justices seemed uncomfortable with the states telling private companies how to run their businesses. At the same time, other members of the court seem troubled by giving companies carte blanche for censorship, especially given how powerful they've become. Either way, we can expect a decision later this

summer. All right, Laura, thank you for that. In 60 seconds, the mystery in the Caribbean, the disappearance of a retired American couple after police say escaped prisoners hijacked their yacht. We'll have details right after this. Back now with a mystery in paradise, an American couple in the Caribbean vanishing after authorities say escaped prisoners hijacked their yacht. The couple's sons now speaking out and seeking answers. Here's Liz Kreutz. Tonight, terror in the Caribbean. Authorities say a retired couple from Virginia who went missing while sailing off the coast of Grenada are believed to be dead after their yacht was allegedly hijacked by escaped prisoners from the island. Information suggests that while

traveling between Grenada and St. Vincent, they disposed of the occupants. Kathy Brandl and Ralph Hendry, who for a decade have lived on their boat Simplicity, were last heard from the same day these three men escaped from their holding cell. Grenada police say there's evidence the prisoners may have attacked the couple and thrown them overboard. Attacked where they live is just, it's unimaginable. The couple's sons, Nick and Brian, are now in the Caribbean, desperate to find out what happened to their parents. Shock, despair, fear, sadness, hope, love. All of those emotions are going through our head. The disappearance also a shock to the sailing community and raising questions about safety on the Caribbean seas.

It seems like a bad Hollywood movie. Have you ever heard of anything like this happening? Never. Rob Mahar is the couple's longtime friend and emergency contact. It's hard to think of their last moments with the idea that they might have been thrown overboard alive. It's difficult to conceive for a friend. Tonight, the three suspects are now back in custody. But with Kathy and Ralph still missing and presumed dead, there are more questions than answers about this senseless attack. Liz Kreutz, NBC News. And up next, we'll tell you about the first drug to treat multiple food allergies

just to prove why some families are breathing a sigh of relief for the first time. Good news for the millions of Americans who suffer from food allergies. The FDA recently approving a new drug to help reduce allergic reactions from foods, even including peanuts. We get more from Priya Sridhar. Liam Wong is one of more than 2 million children who are suffering from multiple food allergies in the U.S. After breaking out in hives as a baby, his parents discovered he was allergic to multiple foods, including nuts and eggs. It was really daunting to try to keep track of what he can eat, what he cannot eat. For Liam, just one peanut could mean a trip to the emergency room for anaphylactic shock. The thought of that happening to our child is absolutely terrifying. That's why Liam's parents

jumped at the chance to join a groundbreaking study. Stanford researchers wanted to see if the drug Zolaire, normally prescribed for asthma, could also help with accidental exposures to multiple food allergens, including nuts. Food allergy patients are making allergic antibodies and Zolaire targets these allergic antibodies and acts like a sponge to take them out of circulation. While the drug doesn't eliminate the allergy, it reduces allergic reactions. The large-scale study found that two-thirds of patients who were injected with Zolaire were able to eat two-and-a-half peanuts without having a severe allergic response, like trouble breathing.

This is a huge game-changer for our patients. Dr. Chintharaja hopes the new FDA approval will make it more accessible and affordable to her patients. The very same day the FDA approved the drug, we were writing prescriptions. For Liam's parents, it's life-changing. How does it feel knowing that you don't have to walk on eggshells with Liam now? I think it's very freeing. We can keep an eye on him, but also not worry as much on every little thing that he gets into. A newfound freedom for Liam and potentially life-saving option for families.

Priya Sridhar, NBC News. And up next, celebrating the heritage of black cowboys with a big boost from Beyonce. We'll explain. Finally, Beyonce is making history. The first black woman to top the Billboard country charts. And it comes as an event honoring the tradition of America's black cowboys winds through her hometown. Priscilla Thompson is there. By wagon and on horseback, more than 300 black cowboys and girls ride into Houston.

People hear trail ride, cowboy, cowgirl, and they don't always think black folks. Why do you think that is? If you see on the TV, it's all white cowboys. But in Texas in the late 1800s, as many as one in four cowhands were black, a legacy that Mertis Dykeman Jr. wants to protect. Each year, he and the Prairie View Trail Riders journey 80 miles to kick off rodeo season. Why does it matter to keep this heritage alive? That's what we are. We're going to carry our boys for life.

This is my brother. This is my son. The Bundage family has been on this ride for 40 years. Six months I was out here. I was very proud to bring my son out at three months last year to continue this tradition. It's a big part of my history, and it goes back to where my dad was born, my dad's dad, and so on. When you see these kids now carrying the flags, you see these kids working on the horses, that tells us that it's going to continue. It will never stop. Priscilla Thompson, NBC News, Houston. And that's nightly news for this Monday. Thank you for watching, everyone. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night.