NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Thursday, August 1, 2024

Episode Date: August 2, 2024

Russia releases Gershkovich, Whelan and others in multinational prisoner swap; Biles strikes gold, again, in individual all-around competition; New fallout over Trump's remarks about Harris' racial identity; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the Americans coming home after they were released in the largest prisoner swap with Russia since the Cold War. The three Americans on a plane home, including journalist Evan Gruskovic, detained nearly 500 days. And Paul Whelan, the Marine veteran, held more than five years. Both detained on spying charges the U.S. called a sham. The families with President Biden speaking to them from the Oval Office. The deal two years in the making involving seven countries. Vladimir Putin welcoming Russia's freed prisoners. Who did the U.S. give up in exchange?

Also tonight here in Paris, Simone Biles winning gold in the all-around, beating her own teammate Suni Lee. But Simone told us after making history and back home at her gym, the sports next generation erupting in cheers. Donald Trump facing backlash after questioning Kamala Harris's racial identity, how he's doubling down, posting one of Harris's old family photos. Israel saying it's killed another top Hamas leader after assassinating two other militant leaders this week. New tonight, the sheriff who oversaw the deputy who killed Sonia Massey telling us he won't resign. And we asked, why did he hire that deputy with a history of disciplinary problems? And he's Team USA's secret weapon. Our day with Olympic superfan Snoop Dogg.

This is NBC Nightly News. Reporting tonight from the Olympics in Paris, here is Lester Holt. Good evening. For all the joy and emotion we have witnessed at the Paris Olympics this week, nothing can top the elation and relief being felt by the families of four U.S. residents, three of them U.S. citizens freed today by Russia. This photo of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gerskovich, Marine veteran Paul Whelan, and journalist also Kamasheva aboard a U.S. transport plane en route to Joint Base Andrews. They are expected to land late tonight and be welcomed by President Biden and Vice President Harris, a fourth U.S. resident reuniting with family in Germany tonight.

The U.S. says all four were unjustly held by Russia. Their release part of a multinational prisoner swap involving 24 people. The president tonight calling it a feat of diplomacy. Our Keir Simmons starts us off with late details. Tonight, a history-making homecoming. Three Americans freed and on their way back to the United States. Russian media broadcasting these images of several of the 16 detainees released gathering their bags and boarding a flight out of the country. In the Oval Office, the daughter of one speaking to her mother a day before her 13th birthday.

Among those released, Evan Gushkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter. The paper's newsroom today filled with emotion. It's front page declaring Evan Gushkovich is free. His family saying we can't wait to give him the biggest hug. He was detained on assignment in March of 2023. Then last month, he was hurriedly sentenced to 16 years in a Russian penal colony for espionage, the U.S. government calling that a sham. This is an incredible relief. President Biden celebrating at the White House today, surrounded by family members of those released. Now their brutal ordeal is over and they're free. They include Paul Whelan, the Marine veteran who was detained in Moscow in 2018. Tonight, his family thanking President Biden

while accusing the Kremlin of taking years off his life. Also, Alsu Kamasheva, a Russian dual citizen who was visiting her mother in May of last year when she was detained on a foreign agent charge. And Vladimir Karamuza, a prominent Russian dissident who holds a US green card. A complex prisoner swap, nothing like it's seen since the Cold War. The deal involving two dozen individuals, the handover in Turkey, with seven separate aircraft and eight Russians Putin wanted back

returned, greeting them with flowers on the tarmac, the group including convicted Russian spies and their children. Controversially, key to the deal was the release of Vadim Krasikov, a Russian assassin convicted of murder in Germany, Germany saying tonight it did not take the decision lightly. Anyone who questions whether allies matter, they do. They matter. Today is a powerful example of why it's vital to have friends in this world, friends you can trust. Basketball player Brittany Greiner, released from Russian detention in 2022, is in France for the Olympics and told reporters today she is head over heels that the Americans are headed home. Notably not included in the swap and tonight among the Americans still in Russian

custody, Ksenia Karolina, a Russian-American ballerina who made a small donation to a Ukraine aid group and was detained whilst visiting family in Russia. And Mark Fogel, the American teacher, held on charges of bringing a small amount of medical marijuana into Russia. His family tonight saying we are completely heartbroken and outraged that Mark has been left behind while the US government brought other Americans home. Tonight, the Biden administration saying it is actively working to get his release as well. And Keir, join me now. We're hearing more from Russian President Putin about this deal.

That's right, Lester. President Putin offering those returning Russians awards. Meanwhile, news from The Wall Street Journal tonight. It says Evan Gershkovich, just before he was released, wrote to President Putin asking for an exclusive interview. We're already looking for his next story. Lester. Amazing, Keir. Thank you. Today's historic prisoner swap was a result of long and difficult negotiations with Russia

and key allies. Peter Alexander is at the White House. Peter, what more have we learned? Lester, officials here say today's prisoner swap marks the culmination of nearly two years of effort by the Biden administration. But the president's top aides have made it very clear it does not change the tense relationship between the U.S. and Russia. This is the emotional moment inside the Oval Office when the families of those released

prisoners spoke to their loved ones, finally free. What did you say when they answered the phone on the other side? I said, welcome almost home. President Biden, they'd say, spearheading the deal on the phone with a European counterpart just an hour before he announced he was dropping out of the 2024 race and personally lobbying the German chancellor to help facilitate the swap. Olaf Scholz responding, according to an official here, for you, I will do this. The deal that made this possible was a feat of diplomacy and friendship. National security advisor Jake Sullivan today holding back tears. Today was a very good day. Sullivan revealing that fierce Putin critic Alexei Navalny was a part of an original proposal before he died in a Russian prison in February, later saying no money was exchanged and no sanctions were loosened

to secure today's release. But with criticism that these swaps incentivize America's adversaries to take more prisoners, Sullivan acknowledged the challenging decision. We have assessed and analyzed that risk and we have judged that the benefit of reuniting Americans, of bringing people home, that that benefit outweighs the risk. Former President Trump tonight did not embrace the news. Instead, on social media, slammed the negotiators, saying they're always an embarrassment to us. President Biden earlier snapping back when pressed about Mr. Trump's repeated claims that he could have gotten the prisoners out of Russia without concessions. Paul Whelan had been held since Mr. Trump's time in office.

Why didn't he do it as president? For President Biden, a legacy achievement. For the freed Americans, a long-awaited homecoming. Peter Alexander, NBC News, the White House. Here in Paris, it was all about gold. Lots of it for Team USA, including a historic night for Simone Biles as she won the women's gymnastics individual all-around for a second time. Stephanie Goskis here.

It was a tense, tense night. It was, Lester. We were on the edge of our seats. You know, gymnastics can be unpredictable, and it definitely was tonight. The lead changed hands multiple times, and it went right down to the wire. Everything has led to this moment. In the end, it came down to the final rotation, the final performance. Simone Biles took the floor. It was hers to win. And she put pressure on Simone. But Brazilian Rebecca Andrade set the bar high.

Biles would need to be nearly perfect and she was. That's what greatness looks like. Whatever inner demons there may have been in Tokyo, tonight Simone Biles beat them. But it was a nail-biter the entire way. Andrade looked solid and took an early lead. Okay, game on. After two rotations, Biles is in third place after a slip-up on the uneven bars, but it is really tight and really tense. The Brazilian would wobble on the beam, and it left an opening that Biles was happy to flip her way into. The competition for bronze was equally tight, but Suni Lee pulled it out. Both Biles and Lee have been on the Olympic stage before,

winning gold in the all-around, in Rio and in Tokyo. But telling Hoda Kapi, the medals here in Paris feel particularly special. This one feels even better than the last. I'm a lot more mature, so I know exactly what my body is capable of, mentally and physically. So to just go out there and achieve that goal, it meant the world to me. It felt absolutely incredible. I mean, to just be back out here is such an amazing accomplishment. So to have this medal around my neck means so much to

me. There were historic moments for Team USA throughout the day. And the men's four delivers goal. That goal, the first for the men's four rowing team since 1960. I thought maybe I'd have some insane celebration, start jumping up and down, but it was just utter disbelief that I wasn't even able to do that. And in fencing, the U.S. won its first ever gold in women's team foil. U.S.A. with gold! She's going to make it a clean sweep. Team U.S.A. continues to dominate at the pool. Today, Kate Douglas won gold in the 200-meter breaststroke,

and Regan Smith took silver in the 200-meter butterfly. Good time there! The final record-making moment of the day, Ledecky helped Team USA win silver in the 200-meter freestyle relay, making her the most decorated woman in U.S. Olympic history. Stephanie Gosk, NBC News, Paris. Stephanie Gosk reporting for us. And join us tonight for primetime in Paris as Simone Biles and Sunni Lee go for gold. It all starts at 8 Eastern. There is new fallout tonight over former President

Trump's false questioning of the racial identity of Vice President Harris. He's doubling down and she's responding. Here's Garrett Haig. Tonight, the Trump campaign facing more backlash over the former president's false claims about the racial identity of Vice President Harris. Running mate J.D. Vance defending former President Trump today. Trump's point is that she is a chameleon. She presents a different face depending on the audience she speaks to. You don't want a person like that as president of the United States. Trump made the comments during a panel interview with black journalists.

She was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn't know she was black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn black and now she wants to be known as black. Harris is the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants and attended a historically black college. But Trump continuing to press his false claims in this social media post, writing, quote, Thank you, Kamala, for the nice picture you sent from many years ago. Harris largely shrugging off Trump's comments at a black sorority conference overnight. It was the same old show. The divisiveness and the disrespect. And let me just say, the American people deserve better. Republican Maryland Senate candidate Larry Hogan calling Trump's comments, quote, unacceptable and abhorrent.

And this from a top Trump ally. She's always embraced her heritage proudly as she should. Meanwhile, Vance with border officials today in Arizona. Kamala Harris came into office making promises and she kept those promises to open the American southern border. Slamming Harris for high numbers of migrants and fentanyl coming into the U.S. There are a lot of moms and dads out there who will never see their kids walk down the aisle because of what Kamala Harris has unleashed at this border. Sources tell NBC News that Harris's vetting team has now met with six potential running mates ahead of a VP choice to be announced by Tuesday.

Lester. Garrett Haig, thank you. Israel today confirming it killed the military leader of Hamas after assassinating two other top militant leaders in recent days. Richard Engel is in Jerusalem amid new concerns this war could expand. Richard. Lester, Israel has carried out three targeted attacks in recent days, only confirming two, killing the military commander of Hamas in the Gaza Strip,

the political leader of Hamas on a visit to Iran, effectively ending, at least for now, cease fire and hostage talks and killing the military leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon. The overall commander of Hezbollah said this conflict has now entered a new phase, that there will be reprisals, that Hezbollah will respond against Israel and its main backer, presumably the United States. Lester. Richard Engel, thank you. In 60 seconds, the death of Sonia Massey, why her mother called 911, but was worried about police coming to her daughter's home. And were red flags missed in the background check of the deputy who shot her? We pressed the sheriff on that.

We're back now with a growing outrage over the killing of Sonia Massey. Tonight, the sheriff who hired the deputy who fired the fatal shot is talking with us one-on-one as he faces calls from Massey's family to resign. Here's Maggie Vespa. She gets upset, and she thinks everybody's after her. Like, paranoid schizophrenia. Tonight, Sonia Massey's mother heard on newly released 911 calls warning her daughter was having a mental breakdown. And please don't send no competitive policemen that are prejudiced, please. Okay, well, that would be done. They just do their job, okay?

I'm scared of the police. There's nothing to be fearful of, ma'am. The sheriff's office confirms that call came in one day before then-deputy Sean Grayson shot and killed Massey in her Springfield, Illinois home. It sounds like Sonia's mom was trying to warn authorities, potentially warn your agency. How does that hit you now, knowing what happened? Well, I haven't heard the tape. I'm certainly concerned. I want our deputies to have all the information they can before they arrive. And so I don't know why that wasn't transmitted.

Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell releasing Grayson's personnel records showing two of his past employers said he needed more training. A third advised Grayson did not demonstrate good officer safety skills. The sheriff tonight says he put Grayson through 16 weeks of training, adding Grayson's previous employers, namely Logan County, never informed him of allegations of misconduct, including records show lying about a high-speed chase that violated department policy. It's unfortunate. We needed the information and it's an informal process and it simply, it was not provided. Logan County tonight not responding to our request for comment. Grayson's pleaded not guilty to charges related to Massey's death. His attorney

declining to comment. Massey's family is calling on the sheriff who fired Grayson to resign. Will you resign? I will not resign. I understand the pain that they're hurting and they want to hold somebody accountable. We are holding somebody accountable. That is Sean Grayson. He did this. He alone did this. Maggie Vespa, NBC News, Springfield, Illinois. We'll take a break when we return. The eyes of the next generation of gymnasts locked on Simone Biles right in her own gym.

While Simone Biles was winning gold in the all-around final here at the Paris Olympics, the next generation of gymnasts she inspired was gathered in her gym back home. Our Emily Akeda was there. As Simone Biles and Suni Lee brought the house down in Paris. Halfway around the world, an equally matched eruption of excitement. From the gymnasts at the World Champion Center, where Biles trains in the Houston suburbs. Today, all ages piled in to watch the gymnastics all-around final. Taking in every vault, flip and dismount in utter awe. What's your dream? To go to the Olympics. These gymnasts may have to settle for watching the Olympics

through a screen but they've gotten the unique opportunity to witness Biles' training for the podium in person. So much so they've even memorized her floor routine. What have you learned from watching Simone Biles train? That all goals are possible. The best gymnast in the world trains at the same gym as you. Has that sunken? No, it really hasn't. I see her every single day. I'm in here every single day. Is that a gift? Yes, it's awesome. Soaking up every nugget of knowledge from the go, from good sportsmanship to resilience, as Biles completes the comeback of the century. I think it's so cool that she came back and did that, and she's really inspiring to all of us, and we look up to her.

A reminder that as the greatest athletes step onto the world stage, bright-eyed young fans are beaming with the possibility of being future Olympians. Does she make you believe you can do anything? Yeah. Emily Ikeda, NBC News, Spring, Texas. And next, as we continue tonight, the star who is starstruck by these Olympics. We watch with none other than Snoop Dogg right after this. And that's judo.

Finally, these Olympics have attracted a lot of celebrities, but none has made the games his own playground quite like one famous rapper. It turns out you don't need a medal to be an Olympic star, not when you're Snoop Dogg. Snoop is a crowd pleaser in Paris and making fun an Olympic sport of its own. I stepped into Snoop's world today at judo. Nice, tight, close range fight. Up close and personal. Come on. You've been doing your homework. It's clear he respects the games and the fans. Watch out now.

His commentary on point. Got him. He put him in bed with the okey-doke. He commentary on point. I sat down with Snoop to talk about this new chapter in his career. You're living your best life right now. I am having fun. Let me stop lying. I am having fun. Did you expect any of this? Never. Never in my wildest dreams, especially as a kid growing up, you know, watching the Olympics, seeing how big this was and how... So you did watch as a kid? Yes! I ran into you at beach volleyball the other day and you were leading the crowd.

You're America's biggest cheerleader. Come on, man. I'm the biggest kid in the crowd. And he's been everywhere. I put on a fencing outfit and I fought against one of our medalists. Don't say fought. It's a sport. Well, I sparred. We't say fought. It's a sport. Well, I sparred.

We'll use that. He's done commentary for badminton. Give me that. No, I need that. No, over here. Swam with Michael Phelps. Rode a train with LeBron James. I love it the other day when the American gymnast

spotted me. Did you realize what was happening? I was dancing, right? And then I'm just having a good time. And I look and I see Jordan, I see Simone, I see they see it's me. And then it's just, it's telekinesis, it's kinetic. Still to come. Oh, look at this.

He's getting up an equestrian event with his pal, Martha Stewart. I don't know how to say it. Drissage. Drissage. I'm interested in the horses that dance. And I want to give them some carrots and apples and, you know, make sure that the horses is fed properly before they do their thing. But for all his adventures in Paris, one moment stands out, his turn as torchbearer.

It's something I'm going to be able to live with and be happy with, to know that I was the face and the voice of peace for that one moment in time. Experiencing the Olympics in a whole new way. That's nightly news for this Thursday. Thank you for watching. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night.