NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Monday, October 28, 2024

Episode Date: October 29, 2024

Trump campaigns in Georgia amid backlash over rally speaker's Puerto Rico comments; Harris campaigns in crucial Michigan, focusing on the economy; FBI investigates ballot box fires in Oregon and Washington State; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the final full week of the race for the White House as Donald Trump faces backlash for his controversial rally at Madison Square Garden. Just eight days until the election, Kamala Harris blitzing Battleground, Michigan, Donald Trump in Georgia, as his campaign tries to distance itself from the racist and sexist comments made by speakers at his New York rally. Puerto Rican music superstar Bad Bunny firing back to his massive following of millions, calling on them to vote for Harris. Our full team coverage. Also, the FBI investigation after two ballot drop boxes were lit on fire in the Pacific Northwest.

Hundreds of ballots destroyed, the images of the suspect's car police are searching for. Israel banning the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, the main humanitarian aid group in Gaza, from operating in Israel. After alleging employees were tied to the October 7th attack. One year after his death, the Family of Friends star Matthew Perry speaking out about their tragic loss exclusively to NBC News. McDonald's to begin selling quarter pounders again after the deadly E. coli outbreak. What consumers need to know. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. Good evening and welcome. We have begun the last mile on the road to the White House with just over a week to go. The finish line now in sight and both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris focusing on their

closing messages. The Trump campaign, however, also working to put some distance between itself and a campaign rally in New York City last night that sparked fallout across the partisan divide. When one of the rally speakers, a comedian, uttered a racist characterization about Puerto Rico, along with other racist jokes targeting black, Jewish, and Latino people, the lewd jokes being condemned by some Republicans as well as Democrats, the episode threatening to overshadow what is likely to be Mr. Trump's closing argument that he will fix what Harris has broken. The Harris campaign

quickly going on the offensive, seizing on the comedian's remarks as it prepares its own closing argument. It's where we start tonight with Garrett Haig. Tonight, former President Trump in Battleground, Georgia. I think it's going to be the most important election in the history of our country. It comes after Trump's massive rally, packing Madison Square Garden in deep blue New York City, the start of his closing argument. On issue after issue, Kamala broke it, but I will fix it. We're going to fix it. Tonight, the Trump campaign facing bipartisan backlash over racist comments from a comedian who spoke earlier, including this about Puerto Rico. I don't know if you guys know this, but there's literally a floating island of garbage in the

middle of the ocean right now. Yeah. I think it's called Puerto Rico. Okay. All right. Okay. We're getting there. Trump's campaign distancing itself, saying, quote, this joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign. Today, Vice President Harris going after Trump. It is absolutely something that is intended to and is fanning the fuel of trying to divide our country. Republicans blasting the comedian's comment, too, including Congresswoman Maria Salazar calling it disgusting, saying it does not reflect GOP values. Florida Senator Rick Scott saying it's not funny and it's not true. And now Puerto Rican music superstar and Harris supporter Bad Bunny weighing in,

reposting to his 45 million Instagram followers Harris's message to Puerto Rico about Trump. He abandoned the island, tried to block aid after back-to-back devastating hurricanes. I'm very proud to have the support of folks like Bad Bunny and Jennifer Lopez and others who were supporting me before that nonsense last night at Madison Square Garden. J.D. Vance today responding. I haven't seen the joke. I'm not going to comment on the specifics of the joke, but I think that we have to stop getting so offended at every little thing in the United States of America. I'm just, I'm so over it. Today in Pennsylvania, reactions from Puerto Rican supporters of Trump. I didn't really get offended, like, because I know people just like the gossip. And of Harris. All those disgusting rhetorics need to be

stopped. The Puerto Rican vote could prove pivotal in Pennsylvania, the biggest swing state, where some 300,000 voting-age Puerto Ricans could cast ballots. Our recent poll shows among Latinos overall, Harris leads. But Trump performs better with Latino men, splitting the vote with Harris. Meanwhile, the MSG rally also featuring Trump supporter and billionaire Elon Musk. Massive crushing victory. Get everyone, friends, family, people on the street. Put the signs up. Put the hat on. Let's go. Today, Philadelphia's Democratic

D.A. filing a lawsuit to stop Musk's daily million dollar giveaway to registered voters who sign his petition supporting free speech and the Second Amendment. The D.A. calling it an illegal lottery. Musk has not responded, but President Biden did today. I think it's totally inappropriate. All right, Garrett, joining us now. Garrett, what is Elon Musk saying tonight? Well, Lester, his spokesperson responding to us today with simply a photo of the contest's most recent winner, suggesting he's not backing down. And tonight, a Trump campaign source tells me that despite endorsing the former president, Nikki Haley and Trump are now increasingly

unlikely to appear together in this race's closing days. Lester. All right, Garrett Haig, thank you. Vice President Harris crisscrossing battleground Michigan today, where she focused on the economy as she prepares her closing pitch to voters tomorrow. Here's Kelly O'Donnell. All in on Michigan today, with Vice President Harris making three stops. Her job here, hammering her economic message. My approach will strengthen America in many ways, including our economy. Donald Trump will weaken America and our economy. The vice president seeing a semiconductor plant in Saginaw. Meeting union labor trainees in Macomb County.

On the issue specifically of what is good for unions and union labor, he's been awesome. Tonight in Ann Arbor, a rare rally reunion with running mate Tim Walls, who met with union machinists in Wisconsin this morning and pounded former President Trump's record. He talks a big game, but he was an absolute disaster for working people. While overall polls show a razor thin race across the battleground states, a closer look at the economy brings out a sharp divide. 42 percent of voters said if Trump wins, they would be better off financially. But just 24 percent say they would be better off under Harris. Joseph Knowles, a recently laid off auto worker, has been a lifelong Democrat. Now he's supporting Trump.

Right now, I think Trump is the best to help bring back these jobs, to help bring back affordability. Union electrical worker Barry Platt voted early for Harris. She's got plans. Trump doesn't have any plans. And that makes a difference to you? Absolutely. Today, Michigan begins processing its early votes, with nearly 1.8 million ballots already cast. Among today's early voters, President Biden, who waited more than 30 minutes to cast his ballot in Delaware. While setup is underway near the White House for Harris to deliver what aides call the closing argument of her candidacy tomorrow night. And Kelly, you have some new reporting on VP Harris's closing message

tomorrow. Lesser aides say that Harris will ask voters to imagine America under a Trump presidency or a Harris presidency, that he would have a grievance list about himself, where she would have a to do list about the American people. And they say she chose tomorrow's location in Washington because that is where Mr. Trump had urged his supporters to march to the Capitol on January 6th. Lester. Kelly O'Donnell, thank you. The FBI says it is investigating fires at two ballot drop boxes early today in Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington.

Laura Jarrett is following this. Laura, do authorities think these are related? Yes, Lester. Authorities do believe these two fires are intentional and connected as the same car was spotted at both locations today, as well as another incident earlier this month in Vancouver. The first fire today in Portland, Oregon, reported at around three thirty this morning after someone attached an incendiary device to the side of a ballot drop box there. But the county election office says, quote, fire suppressant protected virtually all of the ballots there. Only three were damaged.

Voters were contacted. But then roughly 30 minutes later, police responding to another fire at a ballot box less than 10 miles to the north in Vancouver, Washington, potentially hundreds of ballots there affected, according to officials. Now, the FBI is investigating tonight, but has not provided any indication of a motive. Voters can contact Clark County to confirm if their ballot was received and request a replacement ballot if necessary. OK, Laura, thank you for that. In the Middle East, tensions remain high after Israel's airstrikes on Iran. And tonight, Israel has moved to ban a U.N. relief agency from operating there. Raf Sanchez is in Tel Aviv. Raf, what could this mean?

Lester, Israel's parliament tonight pushing ahead with new legislation that could threaten the U.N.'s ability to deliver aid to Gaza, the move coming despite U.S. opposition and amid growing tensions with Iran. Tonight, Iran's leadership vowing to respond after Israel launched waves of airstrikes against military targets in retaliation for Iran's ballistic missile attack earlier this month. The Iranian regime initially downplaying the bombing, the first time Israel has openly struck its Mideast enemy. But with four of its soldiers killed, Iran's saying today,

it will use all available tools to deliver a response. Israel already on edge after a suspected terror attack near Tel Aviv. This truck ramming a bus stop, killing an elderly man and wounding more than 30 people. You can see from the destruction to the cab of the truck, just the force that it came crashing in with. While in northern Gaza, deepening despair, Israeli forces raiding one of the only functioning hospitals in the area, saying they captured dozens of militants, but the raid leaving the hospital in chaos, including the neonatal unit.

Hospital director Hassam Abu Safiya leading prayers for those killed, among them his own 21-year-old son. A patient this doctor and father wanted so badly to save. Raf Sanchez, NBC News, Tel Aviv. And here at home, McDonald's will resume selling quarter pounders this week in states where the hamburgers were pulled because of that E. coli outbreak. Here's Christine Rummans. The quarter pounder will be back on the menu as McDonald's food safety crisis enters a second week.

The Colorado Agriculture Department has ruled out beef patties as the source of the E. coli outbreak that sickened 75 people in 13 states. One person died. A McDonald's spokesperson saying the most likely source of the outbreak slivered onions. In a video message, McDonald's president vowing to make it right. On behalf of the McDonald's system, I want you to hear from me. We are sorry. McDonald's no longer sourcing the onions from supplier Taylor Farms Colorado Springs, saying those onions were sold in McDonald's in Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, and other states in the area, including airport locations, which could account for cases in other states. Taylor Farms says it will continue to work with the CDC and FDA,

saying its products on the market today are safe. 15-year-old Camerlyn Bowler says she ate Quarter Pounders in September and is now in isolation in a Denver hospital with her mom. It scared me. Like, I was scared. So I told her, and it was just like, we went to the hospital. Her medical records show acute renal failure most likely caused by E. coli. It's just been scary to see her body work against her. It's been hard. Like I had to take off time from work.

She got on the softball team for her high school. She had to miss her last couple games because she was sick. Like she went from being super healthy and like no issues at all to possibly kidney damage for her whole life. Her attorney says he represents 31 families. There's going to be a lot more cases in this outbreak than 75. So in 900 locations, the quarter pounder will be back, but without onions for now. And McDonald's reports earnings tomorrow. So we'll learn more.

But one early analysis shows that foot traffic dropped in the days after the outbreak became public. All right, Christine, thanks very much. In 60 seconds, a year after his death, Matthew Perry's family speaks to Savannah Guthrie about his remarkable life and struggle, how they're helping others facing the depths of addiction. It has been a year since the overdose death of Friends star Matthew Perry. And tonight, his family is opening up exclusively to NBC News about how they're helping others with addiction. Here's Ann Thompson.

When I dance, I look like this. Matthew Perry, TV's quintessential friend. Welcome home, man. Was their family. It was always like a jubilant thing when he would come over. Little sisters, Caitlin Madeline and Emily Morrison, mom Suzanne and stepdad Dateline's Keith Morrison, speaking to NBC's Savannah Guthrie,

a year after Matthew's death from a ketamine overdose. Nothing special about us except for the fact that we had an extremely remarkable and famous family member who went through it. This is a world, it's a hurting world and it needs some help. To help, the family has launched the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada to fund research and post-treatment support for those grappling with addiction. If it doesn't stop, we're going to lose so many million people. Five people have been charged in Perry's death. Three pleaded guilty, two pleaded not guilty, and will stand trial next year. What do you think about the fact that there has been some accountability there?

I'm thrilled. I'm thrilled. What I'm hoping, and I think the agencies that got involved in this are hoping, that people who have put themselves in the business of supplying people with the drugs that will kill them, that they are now on notice. A business that creates perpetual grief. What about you Emily? What do I miss? I mean my brother. He was he would do anything for you. Really all he ever wanted was to love and to be loved. Now they want to do something for those like him. Ann Thompson, NBC News. We'll take a break then.

Up next, when a small county in Michigan made a vote counting mistake, the clerk became a target for death threats. Now she's running again and against election denialism. Next. In this divisive election season, even small-town races have become unlikely battlefronts. In rural Michigan, a county clerk race is heating up after a human error that was corrected in 2020 led to death threats. Here's Gabe Gutierrez. Cheryl Guy never dreamed she'd be thrust into a national political firestorm. I was appalled. I was betrayed, and I was used. She's the Antrim

County clerk here in northwest Michigan, population around 25,000. Fall here is typically tranquil. The 2020 election was not. In one Michigan county alone, 6,000 votes were switched from Trump to Biden. Weeks after the election, former President Donald Trump seized on what Guy acknowledges was human error that temporarily miscounted thousands of ballots here. She and her staff discovered the mistake on their own the morning after Election Day. I just went, how could that be? They fixed the problem within days, but the damage was done. Guy, a Republican who voted for Trump twice,

was accused of rigging the election. She says she and her staff got death threats. That solidified her decision to step down as county clerk after the 2024 election. But then a businesswoman named Victoria Bishop won a crowded primary for the position. What concerns you about her victory? She's an election denier. So Guy changed her mind and is now mounting a write-in campaign. I grew up here. After the 2020 election, I felt that that horrible heir that I owned was my legacy. Bishop's campaign declined our repeated requests for an on-camera interview,

but in a letter to the local paper, she said she was running to restore election integrity to Antrim County. She added, I believe we still have dead people and people who no longer live in Antrim County on our qualified voter files. She's capable. Tom Stillings supports Bishop. He's a former chair of the county's Republican Party who still questions the 2020 election. He downplays the dozens of Trump campaign lawsuits that have failed in court since then, or a report by conservative legal experts in 2022 that debunked the false claims of major voter fraud. With no evidence of widespread fraud, isn't it dangerous to still be casting doubt? You know what? It's my right as a citizen to be skeptical.

For Cheryl Guy, that skepticism cuts to the core of our democracy. Facts don't matter to these people. As you mount this campaign, in 2020, you messed up. Big time. Why should voters trust you again? Well, we've learned. The fact is, is that we've put even more safeguards in place. If you could speak to former President Trump, what would you tell him? Maybe you need to take a good look at the accusations you make, how it affects people. And stay out of my county.

And so, in this tiny Michigan county, the battle over election integrity is now itself on the ballot. Gabe Gutierrez, NBC News, Bel Air, Michigan. 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.