NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Sunday, April 6, 2025

Episode Date: April 6, 2025

Markets brace for Monday open after massive sell-off; RFK Jr. says vaccine is 'most effective way' to fight measles; Dangerous flood emergency unfolds across the South; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, markets bracing for another possible sell-off tomorrow, and no sign President Trump's backing down from the trade war he's started. With just hours to go before Wall Street opens, concerns of a so-called Black Monday as those punishing tariffs roll out, and the Dow's worst week since 2020. Now, warnings of a possible recession this year, the Treasury Secretary's new message to Americans, including those about to retire. There doesn't have to be a recession.

And the big question tonight, how much worse could it get? A second child now dead in that Texas measles outbreak. And the new message from the health secretary, RFK Jr., about how effective the vaccine is. But with the disease already spreading, is it too late? Deportation showdown. A federal judge blasting the Trump administration for wrongly deporting a Maryland man as a deadline looms to bring him home. States of emergency across the South over catastrophic flooding. This town in Kentucky, look at that, submerged. One farmer having to take a boat to feed his cows.

This is NBC Nightly News with Hallie Jackson. Good evening. We are coming on the air tonight with the country and the markets bracing for what could be a devastating start to the week with fears of a so-called Black Monday on Wall Street. The future is just opening up, giving us our first look at what could be another big drop tomorrow. All of it after President Trump's newest tariffs triggered a two day stock sell off. The end result, the worst week for the markets since the start of the covid pandemic, with the Dow falling more than five percent on Friday alone. Tonight, some top White House advisers suggest those tariffs are here to stay for weeks, even with mixed messaging on negotiations for relief. And watching it all, tens of millions of Americans, their money on the line, with concerns

President Trump's vision for reshaping the American economy could push the country into a crisis. We're following it all tonight. Brian Chung starts us off. Only hours before the markets open in the U.S., already tonight, early signs Wall Street will start the week in the red. The start of pre-market trading suggesting last week's stock slide may still be in the early innings. A baseline 10 percent tariff kicked in yesterday and will rise even further for dozens of countries under President Trump's so-called reciprocal tariff set to take effect Wednesday. We are finally putting America first. President Trump golfing this weekend in Florida has been mostly quiet since Wednesday's announcement,

but Americans are closely watching their portfolios and price tags to gauge the impact of the tariffs on their wallets. There doesn't have to be a recession. Who knows how the market is going to react in a day, in a week. Treasury Secretary Scott Besson on Meet the Press with Kristen Walker. What is your message to Americans who want to retire right now and who've just seen their lifetime savings drop significantly? I think that's a false narrative. Americans who want to retire right now, the Americans who have put away for years in their savings account, I think they don't look at the day to day fluctuations of what's happening. Last week, spill on Wall Street erased nearly six trillion dollars from the market.

Trump adviser Elon Musk now calling on the president to undo some tariffs. I hope it is agreed that both Europe and the United States should move ideally, in my view, to a zero tariff situation. As countries like China and Canada promise retaliation, some in the administration say the tariffs are here to stay. There is no postponing. They are definitely going to stay in place for days and weeks. Brian Chong is joining us now. And Brian, if, as you heard there, those tariffs are expected to stay in place for weeks, what does that mean for possible negotiations to maybe bring them down? Well, Hallie, it's unclear. The Treasury Secretary told NBC more than 50 countries have reached out to the administration about lowering their tariffs, but declined to say the U.S. was open

for negotiation. Ultimately, the secretary said it's a decision for President Trump, and we may find out when the president holds a news conference tomorrow. Allie. Brian, thank you. Also tonight, the economic reality starting to set in for shoppers across the country, with some rushing to buy now before prices go up even more. Camila Bernal has that story. Sinks, faucets and shower heads, home basics that could soon be a lot more expensive.

The ripple effects of President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs concerning for shoppers like Brett Myers, who is remodeling his Los Angeles home. It's the house, it's the car, it's all sorts of worries. Russ Diamond, president of home store Snyder Diamond, says some of his vendors are already raising their prices. I got a notice last night from one of our vendors in the UK apologizing for the short notice, but their price is going up Monday, we would have to most likely pass that on to our consumer. The fear of price increases also causing an uptick in customers. Many of their purchases coming from overseas. Even though they're recognizable names of U.S. companies,

a lot of times they're made in Mexico. This manufacturer from the U.K. And this one here is from France. This Canadian one saying they're already planning a 15% price increase. This manufacturer from the UK and this one here is from France. This Canadian one saying they're already planning a 15% price increase. And it's not just appliances. The cost of toys, phones, cars, all expected to spike. Especially with a growing family, it's just really tough to kind of predict how to allocate your money when you're just trying to save all of it.

But some say the sacrifice is worth it. I'm worried that things are going up. And I know my investments have tanked because of the retaliation. But I think Donald Trump is doing the right thing. We have to have manufacturing jobs in our country. Everyone hoping the economic pain is temporary. Camila Bernal, NBC News, Los Angeles. Also tonight, we are learning a second child has died in that fast-growing measles outbreak in Texas.

That's where Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he traveled today. And now, in a new statement, Kennedy, once a vaccine skeptic, is pointing out how effective that measles shot can be. Erica Edwards reports. In Gaines County, Texas, an eight-year-old girl laid to rest after she contracted measles. State health officials attributing her death to pulmonary failure from the virus, in a statement saying the child was not vaccinated and had no reported underlying conditions. Nearly 500 measles cases have been reported in Texas since the outbreak began in late January, with 59 new cases just last week. Tonight, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

writing that the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine. This despite his history of spreading vaccine misinformation. While it's not clear if Kennedy attended the funeral, he says he traveled to Gaines County to console the girl's family, also noting that he's redeployed CDC teams to Texas. Recent massive federal funding cuts to local health departments nationwide already slowing efforts to stop the outbreak, with dozens of measles vaccine clinics in Texas canceled in the last week. Is the community really prepared for further measles spread? I think that's an ongoing set of conversations that we all are having. Honestly, I don't see a quick end to it. The girl's death in Texas is the second of a child in the outbreak growing at an alarming rate as families search for protection against the highly contagious virus.

Erica Edwards, NBC News. An unprecedented flooding emergency unfolding across the South now after a stretch of days-long deadly storms. And while the rain has mostly ended, the danger has not. Maggie Vespa is in hard-hit Kentucky. America's days-long stretch of deadly spring weather, tonight marked by widespread flooding across the Midwest and South, with water still rising. We've never dealt with anything like this. Really? Yeah, no, nothing like this as far as the amount of water we have. Drone video shows Dawson Springs, Kentucky submerged. Water covering a substation forcing crews to temporarily cut power.

Farmer Austin Chappell using a boat to feed his stranded cows. The Lord gave us some cattle. You know, it's our duty to take care of them. States of emergency declared across the South. In Mississippi overnight, a suspected tornado tore through homes, leaving a trail of debris. In Arkansas, drenching rains tore down trees, some slamming into houses. Our George Solis is there. Some here in Little Rock are dealing with more than just cleanup.

This homeowner now recovering in the hospital after being trapped for hours, needing help from more than just firefighters on the scene, but also a doctor. Researchers say these types of flood emergencies are getting worse amid the climate crisis, with a warming atmosphere capable of holding more water. This week, water levels in some spots are expected to rise for days. Kathy Park is in Memphis. The floodwaters are ending up right here in the Mississippi River. You can see how high it's running right now, even carrying away large pieces of debris. River flooding continues to be a threat this week. The deadly weather taking a toll with fatalities across multiple states, including Kentucky. Nine-year-old Gabriel Andrews was swept away by flash floodwaters there, the coroner says,

walking to his school bus Friday. We are deeply saddened at this horrific tragedy that claimed the life of one of our students. Maggie Vespa is joining us now from Dawson Springs, Kentucky. There is a tremendous impact, as we've seen from these storms, Maggie, and it's going to be a while before things get back to normal. Yeah, Hallie, that's right. The good news is the rain, as you might be able to see, is letting up a little bit. But the water in a lot of these cities, including in this one, is expected to rise for days. Actually, in Paducah, Kentucky today, crews installed

floodgates, knowing river levels there may not crest until Wednesday at the earliest. Hallie. Maggie Vespa, thank you. The Trump administration facing a deadline about 24 hours from now to return a man deemed wrongly deported to a notorious mega prison in El Salvador. And with the White House pushing back, a federal judge tonight is blasting the administration in her order to bring him home. Here's Vaughn Hilliard. Tonight, the White House fighting efforts to return Kilmar Abrego-Garcia to the United States. As a federal judge condemned Sunday the Trump administration, saying his detention appears wholly lawless. Judge Paula Zinnes saying the risk of harm to Abrego-Garcia in the mega prison shocks the conscience.

ICE detained and deported Abrego-Garcia more than three weeks ago. A husband and father with no criminal conviction, Abrego Garcia was granted legal status in the country in 2019. What word have you received from the government that Mr. Garcia, that they will work in good faith to bring him back to the United States? I have to assume that if there's an enforceable order of the court that's not stayed by a higher court, that the government is going to follow that order. They sent Abrego Garcia down to El Salvador. They need to ask for him back. The administration has maintained that Abrego Garcia is affiliated with the MS-13 gang. His family and attorney deny it, and the Department

of Justice's own lawyer acknowledging in court, quote, the absence of evidence in its case. This weekend, Attorney General Pam Bondi placed that lawyer on administrative leave. He did not argue. He shouldn't have taken the case. This weekend, Attorney General Pam Bondi placed that lawyer on administrative leave. He did not argue. He shouldn't have taken the case. Trump's border czar Tom Homan openly urging Salvadoran President Najib Bukele to deny the U.S. court's order. The administration providing millions of dollars to El Salvador to house the deportees. And Bukele has not committed to sending Abrego Garcia back. But tonight, the family hopeful. I'm fighting for him. All of us are fighting.

And the kids are waiting for him. Arvon Hilliard is traveling with the president in Florida. Arvon, any clarity on what El Salvador may do tomorrow? Howie, neither the Salvador or U.S. government have provided Arego Garcia's attorney with any would be travel plans for tomorrow. And notably, this comes as President Trump has extended an invite to President Bukele to visit the White House himself next week. Howie Von Hilliard in West Palm Beach, Florida. Von, thanks. Still ahead tonight, the pope's surprise appearance at the Vatican and what it could mean for his part in Holy Week celebrations. We are back with the surprise appearance by Pope Francis at the Vatican today, his first since leaving the hospital. Raf Sanchez joins us now. And Raf,

this comes as many Catholics may be looking for a signal about the Pope's participation in Holy Week celebrations. Yeah, Holly, the Pope is participation in Holy Week celebrations. Yeah, Hallie, the Pope is still looking pretty frail. He's in a wheelchair. He had an oxygen tube in his nose. But his voice has strengthened somewhat in the last couple of weeks. He spoke only very briefly in St. Peter's Square. He said, happy Sunday to all and many thanks. But it was striking to see him back among the people, among the faithful, because his doctors say he nearly died twice during those five weeks he was in hospital battling double pneumonia. Now his doctors want him to spend the next six weeks resting and recovering. But today's appearance is raising hopes he may be able to participate in the Easter celebrations in some form, even if it's limited. Holly.

Raf Sanchez, thank you. Back here in the U.S., police are investigating a stabbing attack in New York. Investigators say a man with a meat cleaver attacked four girls inside a Brooklyn home this morning. Officers shot the attacker. Police believe the man was related to the victims, who are all expected to survive. There's good news tonight about a blast from the past for this grandfather and how his family got creative to make new memories.

There's good news tonight about the birthday one grandfather will never forget. This isn't just any birthday party. That's Dave Squilla sitting there celebrating his 70th with a twist, a blast from his past featuring his family. All nine of his grandkids surprising him, dressing up as versions of him over the years as a little boy, all grown up as dad. And now their pop up to the delight of the family and to so many others. Their video getting more than 10 million views online. Dave, what did it mean for you to have your family come together to do this for you, for your birthday? It was probably the best thing that I've had happen to me in a while. The kids did a great job.

It meant the world to his wife, Marlene. I was so happy to see my husband so happy and smiling and giggling. It was very, very touching. She and their daughter, Amy, were the brains behind the camera, finding the photos and putting the family to work. The only thing that we had in-house was the snowmobile suit because he still wears that to snowblow the driveway. On the big day, a quick change after dinner before the big debut. It was my life, nine pieces of my life, and with nine of my grandchildren, it was going down memory lane. It's not just Dave's family trying this trend.

The Harris's in South Carolina showed out for their grandpa's 80th. And the Webb family in Tennessee dressed up as seven eras of their grandpa. For so many, including the Squillas, it's all about committing to the bit. Those socks are beautiful. How did you hope to make your grandpa feel in that moment, Noah? As long as he was happy and laughing, that's all that mattered to me. And maybe a new birthday tradition filled with love and laughter what does that mean to you to know that you may be starting a tradition for other

families down the road I'm obsessed that people um were so intrigued by it and loved it so much. And I really hope that so many more people do it because it was just so fun. That's nightly news for this Sunday. I'm Hallie Jackson. For all of us here at NBC, thanks for watching and have a great week.