NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Nightly News Full Broadcast (April 21st)

Episode Date: April 22, 2024

Opening statements set to begin in Trump criminal trial; Suspected intoxicated driver kills two children after crashing into birthday party; Columbia University rabbi warns Jewish students, ‘return home as soon as possible’; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, we are hours away from history. The prosecution set to begin its case against former President Donald Trump tomorrow. The new details on who will testify in the hush money trial of Mr. Trump and what the opening statements may reveal about the strength of the prosecution's case. Chilling video of a suspected drunk driver

speeding into a building holding a birthday party. Two children killed. More than a dozen other people seriously hurt. Why them? The new warning to Jewish students after heated protests at Columbia University. The campus rabbi who says they're not safe and need to go home. Summer travel crunch. More Americans than ever set to fly, but for some airlines, maybe fewer planes. What it means for the price of your summer vacay. A car on fire, a driver trapped.

How a group of good Samaritans saved his life. This is NBC Nightly News with Hallie Jackson. Good evening, and we begin this evening with a milestone moment in a trial that will be full of them. Opening statements set to begin just hours from now in that downtown Manhattan courtroom in the historic criminal case against the former president. And tonight, we're getting a closer look at the prosecution's roadmap here, just how they intend to prove their case against Donald Trump and who they intend to call to the stand.

With the jury now seated, the defense preparing to counter each claim and the defendant himself turning the courtroom into a campaign stop. Yasmin Vasugian starts us off. Just hours from now, a historic moment for American politics and the country's legal system, opening statements in the criminal trial against Donald Trump in New York. Opening statements really just offer a preview of the facts to come. David Pecker, former publisher of the National Enquirer and a Trump ally, could be among the first witnesses called. Other key witnesses could include adult film star Stormy Daniels,

Michael Cohen, Trump's former fixer, Karen McDougal, an ex-Playboy model, Hope Hicks, Trump's former White House communications director, and possibly Mr. Trump himself. Are you going to testify? Yes. The prosecution will make its case to a jury of seven men and five women, along with six alternates, alleging that this is a matter of election interference. Mr. Trump has pled not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records

related to a $130,000 payment made to Stormy Daniels. Prosecutors say it was made to keep her quiet about an alleged sexual encounter. The payment allegedly happened after his Access Hollywood tape leaked during the 2016 campaign. How are you? Terrific. The former president has denied allegations of the encounter with Daniels and the payment. This is a giant witch hunt. Mr. Trump is required to be in court every weekday except Wednesdays when court is not in session, limiting his ability to campaign. I'm supposed to be in a lot of different places campaigning, but I've been here all day. His North Carolina rally canceled on Saturday due to weather.

I'm more devastated that this could happen. Meanwhile, President Biden trimmed Mr. Trump's lead in our new NBC News poll. Trump leading Biden by just two points in a head-to-head matchup, down from five points. But with third-party candidates in the mix, Biden leads Trump by two points. Yasmin is joining us now from outside court. And Yasmin, if this is just the start for this trial, when might we see a verdict? The trial could take four to six weeks, Hallie, and if he is found guilty, he's facing up to four years in prison. Hallie? Yasmin Vasugian, live for us there in New York,

to breaking news now out of Michigan with the community in shock and in grief tonight after a driver crashed into a children's birthday party. Maggie Vespa is there. Tonight, tragedy in Michigan and a suspected drunk driver caught on camera from multiple angles Saturday, appearing to speed toward a boat club. Debris flying, as investigators say the 66-year-old woman crashed into the side, plowing 25 feet through a child's birthday party, hitting 15 adults and kids, killing two, a young brother and sister, who were attending their friend's party. A vehicle went through the building.

First responders swarming Newport's Swan Boat Club south of Detroit. We have several people on the ground as well as several children injured. The scene was described by the first responders as extremely chaotic. The local sheriff tearing up. Two of the victims were pronounced deceased at the scene. This includes an eight-year-old female and a five-year-old male who are siblings of each other. Family identifying the siblings as Lana and Zane,

adding their mother, Mariah, and 12-year-old brother, Jaden, were also at the party and are in critical condition. How are you feeling? Devastated. Sad. Why them? The driver, who investigators say killed them, hasn't yet been identified. Authorities say she's been arrested for operating while intoxicated, causing death.

The sheriff noting investigators believe she'd been at a tavern earlier and that more charges are likely coming. Does anything about this make sense to you? Nothing. It's a kid's birthday party. It is just devastating. Maggie is joining us live now outside that boat club where, Maggie, we can see that building boarded up behind you. We expect an update from investigators tomorrow, right? Yeah, Hallie, that's right. And we're hoping for answers, as you know, to a number of looming questions, including the name of the driver. Meanwhile, today we went to that tavern the sheriff mentioned and staff there say authorities have already searched it as part of their investigation.

Hallie. Maggie Vespa live for us there in Michigan. Thank you. An alarming new warning tonight for Jewish students at New York's Columbia University. Go home. That's from a rabbi who works on campus concerned about growing anti-Semitism and growing protests against Israel's war with Hamas. George Solis reports. As tensions and pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University in New York grow, tonight a Jewish leader at the university is now urging students to stay away over what's being described as extreme anti-Semitism on campus.

I really do believe that these protests have lost the plot, so to speak, and have really just turned into incitement to violence and Jew hatred. New York Mayor Eric Adams condemning videos such as this, which he says shows a young woman with a sign pointing to Jewish students stating Al-Qassam's next targets. In a letter obtained by NBC News, Columbia rabbi Ali Buechler writing to students, It deeply pains me to say that I would strongly recommend you return home as soon as possible and remain home until the reality in and around campus has dramatically improved. Going on to say, no one should have to endure this level of hatred, let alone at school. Nick Baum says while many of his peers have left, he's chosen to stay. Your reaction to the letter?

I feel disturbed, but I feel it is completely indicative of the horrible disturbances that Jews on campus have been feeling over the last few days. As a Jew, I no longer feel welcome on campus. A Columbia University spokesperson tells NBC News in part, we are acting on concerns we are hearing from our Jewish students. Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who played a role during a hearing on anti-Semitism at Columbia this week, now calling on university president Manoush Shafiq to resign. Tonight, the White House weighing in, saying in part, while every American has the right to peaceful protests, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community

are blatantly anti-Semitic, unconscionable, and dangerous. They have absolutely no place on any college campus or anywhere in the United States of America. Last week, an unauthorized encampment on campus led to more than 100 arrests. I was one of the students arrested, suspended by the university. All of these students know the risk. Tonight, an escalating conflict, feeling more contentious on campus. George Solis, NBC News. In Washington, a high-wire political act tonight for the House speaker. Facing down an intensifying push by some in his party to kick him out of leadership.

All of it, fallout for his support of this weekend's vote to help Ukraine to the tune of $60 billion. Julie Serkins on Capitol Hill. Tonight, growing pressure on House Speaker Mike Johnson, facing a possible mutiny from fellow Republicans. Mike Johnson has betrayed America. He's betrayed Republican voters. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is part of a trio of hardline conservatives promising to kick Johnson out. The House will be in order. The latest effort coming after the House passed a $95 billion foreign aid package to Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine.

The bill is passed. Democrats exploding in applause on the House floor as the long-stalled funding finally flows. Johnson originally opposed the White House push to send aid to Ukraine, but eventually allowed the vote to proceed. He's passed the Democrat agenda, passed the Biden administration's policies, and fully funded them. But there is bipartisan support to save Johnson's job. I would actually vote to table any motion to vacate him. Johnson says he had to do what is right.

I don't walk around this building being worried about a motion to vacate. I have to do my job. Meanwhile, in an interview with our Kristen Welker, Ukraine's president says the funding is critical. This aid will strengthen Ukraine and send the Kremlin a powerful signal. Julie's joining us now. So, Julie, let's talk timeline here. What are you hearing from some of the members looking to force out the speaker?

Well, Marjorie Taylor Greene isn't revealing her plans, only saying that it will happen. But with the House in recess, nothing will come about for at least a week. Hallie? Julie Serkin, live for us there on the Hill. Thank you. A tram accident at one of the country's most popular theme parks is under investigation tonight. It happened Saturday at Universal Studios in Los Angeles.

Officials say the tram tilted while making a turn and collided with a metal guardrail. Some people inside fell out. Fifteen passengers were hurt, with injuries ranging from mild to moderate. Universal Studios is owned by NBC News' parent company, NBC Universal. To some terrifying moments now on a Minnesota highway. A driver trapped in a car up in flames. But thanks to the bravery of a group of good Samaritans, everybody survived. The horrific scene off I-94 in Minnesota, a car crashing into a lamppost up in flames. The driver trapped. People still inside it. Then one after the other, good Samaritans pulling over, racing to help. You can see them desperately trying to pull the car door open as it jammed up against the guardrail.

There was a moment where we thought we literally lost them. But the flames erupting, chasing the bystanders away. Undeterred, they rush back in. A highway worker finally smashing the window open. The group pulling the driver to safety right as the fire burst into the front seat. This is something that I will never forget. It's a good feeling to know that you you save somebody's life. Just an incredible act of bravery when we come back.

Record summer travel and not enough planes. Why some airline experts say the price of your ticket could be about to go up. If you're already booking your summer travel, you are not alone. A record number of Americans are expected to fly somewhere this summer. But even with more customers, some airlines say they have fewer planes than they'd like. Here's Marissa Parra. Summer travel is expected to soar to record highs, but a potential shortage of planes looms on the horizon.

And that's leaving airlines really bracing to make sure that they can handle that onrush of travel demand. U.S. airlines this year expected to receive 40% fewer planes than they planned for last year, according to industry group Aerodynamic Advisory, which means one thing for your travel budget. From a consumer standpoint, with demand strong and supply relatively weak, that's a recipe for higher airfares. United Airlines and Southwest pausing hiring. United even offering their pilots unpaid leave. Alaska Airlines, along with Southwest,

unsure how many flights they can fly, calling their capacity forecasts uncertain. All of the airlines pointing directly to Boeing's 737 max production delays. The aviation giant facing quality control scrutiny and under investigation by the FAA after the door plug blowout in January. Boeing's number of airplanes deliveries sank to 83 in their last quarter compared to 157 the one prior. You've got this effort to return to 2019 levels of jetliner production. Airbus is getting there. Boeing is stumbling pretty badly. Boeing CFO Brian West saying last month, we're deliberately going too slow to get this right, and we're the ones who made the decision to constrain rates on the 737 program.

All of this on the brink of sky-high travel demand. Major airlines bracing for a huge travel season following a record-setting year for TSA travel numbers. It means higher prices, but also planes that are going to be more full than they would otherwise be. Airlines now have just months left to course correct before summer travel takes off. Marissa Parra, NBC News. Tonight we are remembering journalist Terry Anderson. He's the American who

was taken hostage in Lebanon and held for more than six years from 1985 to 1991. Anderson had been the Beirut bureau chief for the Associated Press when he was captured. He chronicled his imprisonment by Islamic militants in his memoir, Den of Lions. Anderson died at his home in New York's Hudson Valley. He was 76 years old. That's nightly news for this Sunday. I'm Hallie Jackson. For all of us at NBC, thanks for watching.