NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Nightly News Full Broadcast (April 20th)

Episode Date: April 21, 2024

House passes foreign aid and TikTok bills with bipartisan support; House passes bill that could ban TikTok if its parent company doesn’t sell the platform; Massive protests at Columbia continue as demonstrations spread to other campuses; and more on tonight’s broadcast. 

Tonight, the major foreign aid bills just passed by the House after months of fiery debate. Raucous moments on the House floor as the House passes billions in aid for Israel and, most controversially, Ukraine. That vote splitting the Republican Party. Now, the fallout. Will some Republicans try to force out their speaker, Mike Johnson? The honorable way for him to leave right now is to announce his resignation. The House also passing a bill that could ban TikTok if it's not sold off by its Chinese parent company. The new timeline for action and what it means for fans of the hugely popular social media app. Protests spreading at colleges nationwide over Israel's war in Gaza.

New tent villages popping up on campuses. And the huge protests late today. New Botox warning. More patients ending up in the hospital after being injected with fake Botox. Investigators now searching for the source. Country music superstar Morgan Wallen speaking out after being charged by police for allegedly throwing a chair off a rooftop bar. What he's saying now, an outrage over this video showing people pulling bear

cubs from a tree seemingly for a selfie. Will wildlife officials charge them? You actually confronted these people? Yes. This is NBC Nightly News with Jose Diaz-Balart. Good evening. It was a dramatic day on Capitol Hill with huge implications for the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, but also for the nearly 200 million American users of the social media app TikTok. This is the moment $60 billion in aid was approved for Ukraine. It came despite fierce opposition from a majority of Republicans. But today, 100 Republicans joined every Democrat to approve the aid package. It only came up for a vote because the Republican Speaker of the House,

Mike Johnson, changed his own position on supporting aid. And that decision could possibly cost him his job. Already three members of his own party are vowing to force him out. We're also tracking the fallout for TikTok, which now has a deadline for its Chinese parent company to sell it, or one of the most popular apps in the U.S. will be banned. We'll get to that part of the story in a moment, but we begin with Julie Serkin and the high drama on Capitol Hill. The time for choosing is here. Today, the House quickly passed

a series of crucial funding bills that could now lead to a high-stakes showdown over Mike Johnson's future as Speaker. Those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Those opposed, please say no. No. In a rare Saturday session, representatives voting on several measures, including four key bills. One to send $60 billion to war-torn Ukraine in its fight against Russia. $26 billion for Israel in its war against Hamas, with billions more for humanitarian needs in Gaza. The bill is passed. And eight billion to Taiwan. The bill is passed. Also a bill that would force the Chinese company that owns TikTok to sell the popular app or face a ban in the U.S., each vote passing with a strong bipartisan mix of Democrats and Republicans in an about-face Johnson supporting aid to Ukraine

after he flew to Mar-a-Lago to seek the former president's blessing last week. The House has worked its will. We have a responsibility to stand with our Democratic allies throughout the world. Notably absent from the bills, anything to address the southern border, once a red line for Republicans. When we had members of Congress in there waving the Ukrainian flag while we're doing nothing to secure our border, I think every American in this country should be furious.

Now, House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing the biggest threat to his job yet, with at least three GOP hardliners putting pressure on him to resign, pressure that is only growing after Democrats carried Johnson's agenda over the finish line. Will you commit to bringing a motion to vacate on the floor if Speaker Johnson doesn't resign? I'm pretty sure one will come to the floor if he doesn't resign. But Johnson says he's not going anywhere. I don't walk around this building being worried about a motion to vacate. I have to do my job. Julie, as we wait to see what happens to Speaker Johnson, what are the next steps for these four bills the House passed today? Well, the Senate

will take up all the bills in one package as early as Tuesday. It'll likely pass. And President Biden said he'll sign it. Jose. Julie Serkin on Capitol Hill, thank you. And now to the future of TikTok. The House passed a bill that could mean the end of a massively popular social media app with nearly 200 million users across the country. Aaron Gilchrist now on what happens next. The clock may be ticking on TikTok, with the House passing a bill Saturday afternoon to force the app's Chinese parent company to sell the platform.

The measure would give ByteDance nine months to do that and allow the president to extend that deadline by another 90 days. If it isn't sold by then, TikTok could be banned in the U.S. Save TikTok! TikTok has some 170 million active users in the U.S., some of whom have long railed against the possibility of a shutdown of the app. Call them and tell them to stop the ban. But this new move in the House looks to have enough support in the Senate that it will reach the president's desk. President Biden was asked about a ban last month. If they pass it, I'll sign it. The Biden administration has said the app represents a national security threat,

with the owners having close ties to the Chinese government, claims that its CEO has repeatedly denied. TikTok has been banned on federal government devices, but... Trump or Biden? Are you kidding? The Biden presidential campaign has an active account, a space to interact with younger potential voters. What would be the effect of a ban? How would it impact people?

So this is totally uncharted territory in the U.S. You wouldn't be able to update or distribute the app. TikTok releasing a statement to NBC News repeating its criticism of a bill that, quote, would trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate 7 million businesses, and shutter a platform that contributes $24 billion to the U.S. economy annually. A TikTok ban would absolutely affect the millions of Americans that use TikTok to kill time, to watch dance videos. But the real hard part here would be for the people who are making those videos, the people who earn their income by either sponsored or ad content. Erin is traveling with the president in Wilmington, Delaware.

Aaron, what's the timeline once the president signs this bill? Well, the timeline here, Jose, means that TikTok could go away around this time next year, which also means that President Biden or potentially a President Trump could have to deal with any fallout. Jose? I'm going to go, Chris. Thank you. Join Kristen Welker from Meet the Press tomorrow morning for much more on this, including her exclusive one-on-one with Ukraine's President Zelensky. Protests are expanding to college campuses around the country over Israel's war in Gaza

and heightened tensions at Columbia University tonight, just days after police were called in to clear out a protest encampment on campus. George Solis is there. In New York City, just outside the gates of Columbia University, massive protests filling the streets. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations appearing to grow on this fourth day since students set up an encampment on campus that led police in riot gear to make more than 100 arrests at the request of the university president earlier this week. Students tell us despite the risk of suspension, having their ID badges turned off,

and losing access to housing here on campus, they've re-established this encampment, demanding the university divest from Israel. I was one of the students arrested, suspended by the university. All of these students know the risk and they're showing up because they understand that in our numbers we have greater safety. For some, the ongoing protests have led to discomfort even being on campus. They feel the campus is so toxic, it's so unwelcoming to Jewish students and people who diverge from this line. And demonstrations are now spreading. Overnight,

hundreds of Yale students camped outside a dinner for the university president to protest the school's investment in military weapon manufacturers. At UNC Chapel Hill, students set up their own encampment in solidarity with the Columbia students who were arrested this week. All as a national pro-Palestinian student group is calling for action on campuses nationwide. Universities have a long history of political demonstration. Columbia famously seeing buildings overtaken in 1968 by anti-Vietnam War demonstrators. Revolution! Tonight's protest on campus and out in the streets, once again making their stance known on a war raging overseas. It's been six months

and these protests have only been getting bigger and it says so much about the hope of this movement. And George Solis joins us now from outside Columbia University. George, what is the police presence there like tonight? Yeah, Jose, there is a large police presence here on the periphery of the campus. You can see it right behind me where protests are still growing strong at this hour. What's unclear tonight is if police are going to go back on campus to disperse the groups of students gathered there tonight. Jose? George Solis in New York. Thank you. Today marks a somber milestone, 25 years since Columbine, one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history.

Last night, a vigil in Denver to honor the 12 students and one teacher killed that day. But it was also a reminder of how that day changed the conversation about school safety. Rahima Ellis reports. On April 20th, 1999, the mass shooting at Columbine High School shocked the nation. It's happened again. A mass shooting at an American school. Twelve students and one teacher killed. And the belief that children were safe inside school walls. There was gunshots and we all got down and we crawled out. Forever shattered. Any keys you have in your pocket, put those out.

In the months that followed Columbine, school administrators made drastic changes. At every entrance, armed guards, metal detectors, surveillance cameras, and two-way radios. You there, nearest to the door, back out of the room, hands on your head. Schools became training grounds for police, many of which had never been inside their schools. Cops across the country are training in schools this summer. They need to know the layout of those schools. That summer, NBC profiled something unheard of to most Americans then, an active shooter drill. This is a drill. The blood and wounds are not real, but the threat to American schools is genuine. And now education experts say getting ready for class means getting ready for

terrible violence. A student graduating this spring likely has participated in these drills every single year, starting in kindergarten. Researchers are still grappling with their impact. They're really scary. It decreases the sense of safety. Studies show following the drills a 39 percent increase in depression and a 42 percent increase in stress and anxiety. In the wake of Columbine, metal detector companies were overwhelmed with orders. We expect between now and the beginning of school next year to be a very busy period for us. While more research is needed, experts say there is little evidence these measures alone make schools safer. In fact, since Columbine, we've had 404 school shootings, something that's become a fact of life for students today. Every day I wake up scared. I want to go to school and just like give an education.

Experts say for all the security at schools, we're still not doing enough to identify threats before it's too late. Has there been a culture shift in this country around school safety since Columbine? We have learned so much about how we can identify kids who are at risk and how to support them to figure out exactly who does actually pose a threat and to address that. Rahima Ellis, NBC News. Coming up, the new health warning about fake Botox. More people now hospitalized. And the video, shocking animal lovers across the country. So what happened to the people who tried to take selfies with bear cubs? What's ahead?

We're back with an urgent warning about fake Botox after some patients ended up in the hospital. Officials now sounding the alarm about fake versions of the drug and the people who inject it. Here's Adrian Broadus with what you need to know. Tonight, new warnings as New York City is now reporting three cases of botulism-like illnesses linked to potentially counterfeit Botox injections. The city's health department saying all three patients went to emergency departments. One person admitted to the intensive care unit. Okay, here we go. Botox is approved by the FDA, but it's also made from the same toxin that causes botulism. When administered correctly, it comes with little risk, says Dr. Pujasoda. How many people receive

Botox treatments every year? We're talking about millions upon millions. But now the CDC reports 22 women in 11 states have had bad reactions after receiving a counterfeit version of the popular treatment. Half of them sent to the hospital. Symptoms in these cases include slurred speech, droopy eyelids, difficulty breathing, swallowing and raising arms. The symptoms appeared within days or weeks of getting the shot. In all of these cases, the injections were administered in non-healthcare settings. Unclear at this point is if the cases of illness all stem from one bad batch or if multiple versions of fake Botox are to blame. This is still at its heart a medical procedure and needs to be really cared for in that way. The CDC says when

receiving Botox injections, make sure the provider is licensed. This is again about having that good relationship with your provider and feeling comfortable to say, hey, can I take a look? Can you talk me through what the product is going to be? And experts say, check the label on the box. It should be written in English. And remember, if the price is too good to be true, it's a potential risk to your health. Jose. Adrian brought us. Thank you so much. Still remember, if the price is too good to be true, it's a potential risk to your health. Jose. Adrian brought us. Thank you so much. Still to come, the growing outrage over this bear cub close encounter. Also, people could take selfies with them. Country superstar Morgan Wallen speaking out following his arrest in Nashville earlier this

month. He was charged with reckless endangerment for allegedly throwing a chair off the roof of a bar. Here you see it on this earth cam on the right crashing to the ground. Last night, he released this statement reading in part, not proud of my behavior and I accept responsibility. And now to a wildlife controversy and the outrage after a group of people got caught on camera pulling bear cubs out of a tree simply to take selfies with them. Maggie Vespa reports.

Should we go to the office? I don't know what to do. Oh my God. Caught on camera, a group going to unbearable lengths. She's holding the bear. The other guy's grabbing the other one. Seemingly for photos with frightened cubs. That's 100% what she's doing.

She's taking pictures of it. Yeah. But tonight, officials say no criminal charges against these Asheville residents who pulled two baby black bears from trees near their apartment complex Tuesday as furious neighbors recorded it all. Did she just drop it? Oh my gosh, it's running the poor little thing. Put it back. You actually confronted these people? Yes. Ashley Hobbs from North Carolina's Bear Wise program says she was dispatched by the local sheriff. What were these people thinking? So what they told me was that they were trying to help the cub. Now in the video that we saw, that's not apparent to me. I just described the dangers,

how irresponsible it was. Hobs says her team took one cub, a female, to a rehab center. The other cub and the bear's mother were nowhere to be found. Hobbs says because the interaction was brief and the group released both cubs, no charges apply. Is there any sentiment of like, unfortunately, we can't charge these people based on statutes? Definitely. We would have loved to, again, make this a teaching moment and really taking it seriously. It's just the latest example of people getting recklessly close to nature. Like this woman nearly charged by a bison while posing for a photo at Yellowstone National Park last year. He's going to fall. And tonight, the search continues for vandals who last week destroyed ancient rock formations at

Nevada's Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Authorities say they could face felony charges. Back in North Carolina, Hobbs says the cub is unharmed. No, that's insane. Officials plan to release her back into the wild, hoping humans keep their distance. Poor thing. Put it back! Maggie Vespa, NBC News. When we come back, there's good news tonight about the basketball surprise that had this star player in tears. There's good news tonight. So often the good news doesn't get as much attention as the bad. So every Saturday we highlight the many people who spread joy and love.

And these are just some of those stories this week. When Michaela Nolan finished her first Boston Marathon this week, Michaela! There was a big surprise. Michaela, look at how hot you are! Her grandpa Bill was waiting. Michaela, look at how hot you are! He'd come from Florida, watching her run,

to honor his late wife Anne, the grandma who'd always supported Michaela's marathon dreams. I think she would have just said that she was so proud and so happy for me for achieving this goal. And talk about a victory lap. That's Texas high school track coach Joe McKinney. And that line of people with him? They're generations of his former students celebrating his upcoming retirement after 34 years. There's a new chapter ahead, too, for Michigan Police Chief Scott Burns.

We'd like to recognize your devotion to this community and your dedication to this police department. He broke down in tears during the traditional last call, his final day on the force. It's so meaningful because the person talking was his wife, Lisa, a 911 dispatcher. They've been working together 24 years. You've had a long, distinguished career, and I am honored and so proud to be your wife. I can't wait to see what the future holds. 100 copies. Thank you. Signing off. From Kingston, Jamaica,

number 24, Jordan Kelly. And at Westchester University in Pennsylvania, the team helped make forward Jordan Kelly's hoop dream come true. Flying in his parents from Jamaica, their first time ever watching him play. The surprise set up by head coach Damian Blair. Tell me how those moments were for you, Jordan.

It was on a real. I've never once thought in my life I would see my dad in America. And this was the first time watching the play. Coach, would you say that in some ways Jordan's taught you a number of life lessons as well? Yes. Yes, he has. I mean, he's been here for over seven years without his family. And it's taught me that, you know, when things are rough, I need to push through and stay positive and continue to work hard.

So appreciate you for that. And I love you, brother. Love you too, man. That's NBC News for this Saturday. Hallie Jackson will be here tomorrow night. I'm Jose Diaz-Blart. Thank you for the privilege of your time. And good night.