NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Monday, May 12, 2025

Episode Date: May 13, 2025

Stocks surge after U.S. and China announce pause on most tariffs; Lester Holt speaks with Pope Leo; U.S. hostage Edan Alexander released; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, a temporary break in the trade war sends markets soaring. The U.S. and China declaring a 90-day slash on tariffs, sending markets ablaze, both sides declaring victory, at least for now. But will it put shipping concerns to rest? My conversation with the Pope, our catch-up just days after his election, what he said when I asked what it was like to become the first American to lead Catholics worldwide. Will it inspire a return to the first American to lead Catholics worldwide. Will it inspire a return to the Catholic Church in the U.S.? The last known living American hostage released by Hamas.

Adan Alexander, an IDF soldier, held 584 days back on Israeli soil. The emotional outpouring from his family. The president prepares for a major Middle East trip, but now the jumbo jet-sized controversy as Qatar offers to gift a new Air Force One. Democrats blasting the move, the potential security risks worrying some experts. Underway the opening statements in the federal sex trafficking trial of Sean Diddy Combs. The prosecution laying out a portrait of drug-fueled sex parties. The defense team saying it was all consensual, not federal crimes. In court,

Sean Combs' mother and children. Plus... My concern is that we could see other situations like this around the country because the system is old. It's old. Radar outages, telecom dropouts, staff shortages, the nonstop parade of issues for a key travel hub, and the life of Leo from his humble roots as a missionary in Peru to his rise to Pope. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, reporting tonight from the Vatican. Good evening and welcome from the Vatican. It has been an extraordinary few days here in one of the holiest places in the world. And today, I spent a remarkable few moments speaking in impromptu conversation with Pope Leo today. We'll have that in a moment. But first, there is big news on the trade front this evening. The U.S. and China agreeing to turn down the heat on tariffs. The deal means the two sides will continue talking over the next 90 days in search of a permanent agreement. But in the meantime,

the U.S. pledges to lower tariffs on Chinese products from 145 percent to 30%. China's bite on American goods would also lower from 125% to 10%. The stock market signaled its approval. The major indexes all surging today as hopes grew that there could be a way out of the trade war. Our Gabe Gutierrez has this report. Tonight, President Trump is touting a dramatic de-escalation of his trade war, calling it a total reset with China after negotiations this weekend. China was being hurt very badly. They were closing up factories, and they were very happy to be able to do something with us. I'll speak to President Xi maybe at the end of the week.

For 90 days, while trade talks continue, the U.S. has agreed to lower its 145% tariff on Chinese goods to 30%, while China will go from a 125% tax on American products to 10%. The thaw in relations, even if temporary, sent stocks soaring, the Dow up more than 1,100 points today. All of it as President Trump departs for his first major international trip of this term to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The president is defending his decision to accept a super-luxury jumbo jet from the Qatari government for the Pentagon to use as the new Air Force One amid ongoing delays for a replacement jet from Boeing. A White House official confirms these are pictures of its interior. The president says the jet will be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation when he leaves office. The White House says legal details are still being worked out on the proposed gift, while Qatar says

no final agreement has been reached. I think that was a very nice gesture. Now, I could be a stupid person and say, oh, no, we don't want a free plane. We give free things out. We'll take one, too. Aviation experts tell NBC News the jet would likely have to be dismantled part by part to look for listening devices, then upgraded with expensive systems for midair refueling and missile defense. Democrats are blasting the proposed gift as a threat to national security. What people will now see is the most powerful man on earth

flying around in a plane paid for by a foreign government. It's disgusting. It's wildly corrupt. Also today, the president signing a sweeping executive order that he says will slash prescription drug costs for Americans by at least 50 percent, setting a 30-day deadline for drug makers to voluntarily lower the cost. Otherwise, the government will develop a new rule that ties the price the U.S. pays for medications to the lower prices drug companies charge in other countries. We're no longer paying 10 times more than another country. The move will likely face legal challenges, and the pharmaceutical industry says it would lead to less treatments and cures for Americans. Again, there could also be some movement tonight in the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Yes, Lester, today President Trump said it is possible he may fly to Turkey on Thursday

to attend possible peace talks in person. Ukrainian President Zelensky says he'd appreciate it if Trump would go. Lester. All right, Gabe, thanks. Now to the latest from here at the Vatican and the encounter I had with Pope Leo himself earlier today, the Pope addressing journalists from around the world and then making time to chat with me about his historic election. It was an unexpected moment at a speech to invited international media members, Pope Leo, concluding his remarks and then walking to the front rows where we had a brief off-mic chat. I asked him about the significance of an American pope. You tell me, he said, before sharing an anecdote about an individual returning to the church because there was now an American pope. Good morning and thank

you for this wonderful reception. They say when they clap at the beginning, it doesn't matter much. If you're still awake at the end and you still want to applaud, thank you very much. Today's event itself was not a news conference, rather a timely message to the news media itself. The Pope speaking of the need to safeguard what he called the gift of free speech and of the press, remarks that drew a warm response from the invited journalists. Publio has quickly embraced the role of moral authority, just yesterday calling for a lasting peace in Ukraine, an end to violence and a release of hostages in Gaza. His brother, John, watching the Pope's first Sunday blessing as pontiff with us yesterday from a nearby rooftop. He says his brother is determined.

It does seem like he was made for this moment. He knows what he's going to do. He knows what he's going to say. Others who know him say expect Pope Leo to hold his ground when he finds it necessary. Will he be afraid or bound by the risk of failure or criticism? My experience of now Pope Leo is that he's not afraid to make decisions that may be unpopular. Decisions where when he really believes that this is the not afraid to make decisions that may be unpopular. Decisions where when he really believes that this is the right decision to make, it's very easy for him to make that decision. Now four days into his papacy, Pope Leo seemed at ease today, even signing the baseball of one attendee. What did he say? He said white socks or cubs and I said white socks. Playfully donning a

well-wishers colorful sash and blessing babies. But there was a lot of business ahead. In our brief moment together I asked him whether he has plans to return to the U.S. anytime soon. His answer not yet. Like I said earlier it's been an extraordinary few days here at the Vatican. We turn now to the emotional homecoming for Adan Alexander, the American kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7th terror attack, is now back with his family after a deal negotiated by the Trump Halagirani has late details. After 584 days in Hamas captivity, the emotional homecoming. Idan Alexander's mom hugging him, telling him she loves him. Idan, the last known living American hostage tonight embracing his family.

While back in Tenafly, New Jersey, his hometown, cheering at a watch party for the release of the dual U.S. Israeli citizen. Until now that he was released on the screen, I didn't believe it would it would be true. The deal between the Trump administration and Hamas that led to his freedom largely bypassed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Hamas is still holding at least 20 living hostages. The father of one of them says only one man can get his son out. Only hope is in President Trump. We have no trust in our government. The president saying today other hostages could be next. We hope that we're going to have other hostages released, too. Lester has been speaking with the families of American hostages for months,

here with Idan's sister last September. My best friend that I was growing up with has just been like like gone from my life i'm sorry no it's okay it's been very difficult she was here tonight as he finally came home lester with hamas still holding hostages and the humanitarian situation in gaza getting worse the focus now turns to a potential ceasefire. President Trump is traveling to Qatar, which has close relations with Hamas, with many hoping it might lead to a breakthrough in talks. Lester. Thank you. The much anticipated sex trafficking trial for Sean Diddy Combs finally got underway. The prosecution painting a lurid picture of drug and sex-fueled parties.

The defense saying what went on there was not federal crimes. Chloe Malas was in the courtroom in a warning. Some of the images and details are disturbing. Music mogul and business icon Sean Diddy Combs in front of a judge and jury today, facing five criminal counts in a bombshell sex crimes and racketeering trial expected to last for two months. He's engaged. He's ready to go. He's ready to put on his defense. In opening statements, prosecutors laid out a 20-year pattern of alleged abuse, accusing Combs of running a criminal enterprise, including sex trafficking and kidnapping. Prosecutors say that he forced his alleged victims to take part in drug-fueled sex

parties called freak-offs. At the center of their case, star witness Cassie Ventura, Combs' former girlfriend who first accused him of abuse in an explosive 2023 civil suit, which was quickly settled without Combs admitting wrongdoing. A version of this 2016 security video obtained by CNN showing Combs brutally beating Ventura in a hotel hallway played for jurors today. The prosecution's first witness, a former hotel guard who was on shift and responded after the assault. He says Ventura appeared scared, had a, quote, purple eye and said she wanted to leave. Defense attorneys acknowledged Diddy's bad temper in their opening statement, saying, quote, sometimes he is so angry and jealous that he gets out of control.

But they said domestic violence is not sex trafficking and love of baby oil is not a federal crime. They described the alleged victims as, quote, capable, strong adult women and said that they're after money. Who has the bigger hill to climb here? Certainly the defense has the bigger hill to climb here? Certainly the defense has the bigger hill to climb. We are going to be seeing videos, not just of beatings of victims, but of these sexual acts. Jurors heard explicit testimony from a male escort called by prosecutors who says on multiple occasions Ventura paid him to have sex with her in front of Combs and says he witnessed Combs assault Ventura.

Combs has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. A 12-person jury made up of eight men and four women will soon decide the fate of one of the most powerful men in music. And Chloe, tomorrow in court, Cassie Ventura expected to take the stand. She is in many ways at the center of the prosecution's case. That's right, Lester. This is the first time in years that Cassie Ventura and Sean Combs will be together in the same room. She's a key witness for the government, and her testimony is expected to be explosive. I also just want to point out that she's currently pregnant with her third child.

Lester. Chloe Milos, thanks. Near Washington today, a group of South Africans arrived from Johannesburg. The citizens granted refugee status here in the U.S. after the president gave them an exception. Andrea Mitchell has more. White South Africans arriving as refugees at Dulles Airport outside Washington today on a plane chartered by the State Department, a process that usually takes years, greeted by a top-ranking U.S. diplomat. Welcome. Welcome to the United States of America. And this from President Trump. It's a genocide that's taking place that you people don't want to write about, but it's a terrible thing that's taking place that you people don't want to write about, but it's a terrible thing that's taking place. And farmers are being killed. They happen to be white, but whether they're white or

black makes no difference to me. The president signed an executive order in February calling them victims of unjust racial discrimination from the country's black majority, something the South African government vigorously denies. While today, the administration also canceled temporary refugee status for as many as 14,000 Afghans already in the U.S., including many who served alongside the U.S. in the war. All face persecution from the Taliban if they are forced to go back. Veterans groups reacting. How do American veterans of the war in Afghanistan feel about the way their Afghan interpreters and allies are being treated? We're pissed off. This is absolutely insane that we would treat people this way. The welcome for

white South Africans also in sharp contrast to another executive order, the president signed the day he took office, suspending new refugee admissions for everyone else, including black Sudanese escaping genocide and Latin Americans fleeing violent gangs. Some tonight question whether Elon Musk played a role in winning refugee status for his fellow white South Africans, because he has repeatedly posted on his platform X about their plight. Lester. Andrew Mitchell, thanks. In 60 seconds, up in the air, the new issues at Newark Airport and the effort to fix it before the busy travel season. Back after this. Tonight, just two weeks until Memorial Day kicks off summer travel season, the Transportation Department is laying out an aggressive plan to address the air traffic control issues at Newark Airport after yet another brief telecom outage.

Tom Costello reports. Now up and running two high-speed redundant telecom lines, sending radar and radio data from New York to controllers in Philadelphia who handle Newark airspace. When the main line still glitched early Sunday morning, the new backup lines held. The equipment that we use is so old, the information has to be slowed down. It comes in too fast. Sunday's glitch lasted only 30 seconds, but DOT Secretary Duffy says controllers feared the system was crashing and ordered a 45-minute ground stop with delays and cancellations quickly climbing. Blaming the Biden administration for failing to upgrade the system, Duffy says a Tiger team is now fast-tracking new fiber-optic lines

to controllers at Newark, JFK, and LaGuardia. But it will take weeks to test. Families shouldn't have to wait four or five hours for a flight that never takes off. Amid the equipment failures, too few controllers, and a runway under construction, United has cut nearly three dozen flights at Newark and is urging other airlines to also make cuts. Meanwhile, the Trump administration urging Congress to spend tens of billions of dollars up front to replace the entire ATC system nationwide.

My concern is that we could see other situations like this around the country because the system is old. It's old. On Wednesday, the airlines are meeting about reducing the number of flights at Newark with the airport already maxed out. Lester. Tom Costello tonight. Thanks. We're back in a moment with the breaking story about a prominent rapper stabbed behind bars. And when you can see Michael Jordan back in basketball, we'll explain. The rapper convicted of shooting performer Megan Thee Stallion was rushed to the hospital after being stabbed in prison. Authorities say Tory Lanez was attacked this morning by another inmate of the California prison, where he is currently serving a 10-year sentence. Lanez, whose real

name is Daystar Peterson, was convicted for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot during a 2022 party. No word on his condition. And new images are giving us a brighter look at the solar system's biggest planet. These are the latest taken from the James Webb telescope showing Jupiter's auroras. NASA says the auroras are 100 times brighter and more energetic than northern and southern lights seen here on Earth. And finally, big news from the sports world. Number 23 is back. Announced today, Michael Jordan will be part of the NBC sports coverage

of the NBA. Jordan said today he's excited about his new role as a special contributor. You can catch the six-time NBA champ starting this October. And when we come back here tonight, Pope Leo's roots on the ground where he started his work as a humble missionary decades before his destiny as Pope. Finally tonight, Pope Leo spent many of his early years in Peru, leaving a permanent impact on communities he served. Stephanie Gosk retraced his steps. Chulucanas, Peru is roughly 16 hours from the capital Lima in the foothills of the Andes. It's where Pope Leo XIV began his work in South America in 1985, about as far away from Chicago as one can get. Robert Prevost came to this region of northern Peru when he was 29 years old. It was going through an economic crisis. There was internal strife, and he was here to try to help.

Father Fidel is an Augustine missionary himself. He tells me communist guerrillas threatened the Augustines in the 80s, but they defiantly stayed. We went in search of Father Prevo's church. We thought this was the one, but then as we were standing here shooting it, a taxi driver said, that's not his church. Let me take you to his church. Winding through the streets of Chulacanas, he knew exactly where it was. Local sculptor Cesar Juarez greeted us. Like so many here, he has a Pope Leo story. During a recent visit, Juarez gave then Cardinal Prevost a replica of one of his statues.

Can you believe he is the Pope? I asked him. No, he said, I couldn't. We are so proud. So was the Ruiz family. Sandra and her younger brother were baptized by Padre Roberto. She remembers the day. He was so charismatic, she said, and really connected with children. Her mother feels blessed. Pope Leo, they said, left his mark not just here, but all over Peru. Stephanie Gosk, NBC News, Chulucanas, Peru. And that is nightly news for this Monday. Thank you for watching. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night.