NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Thursday, January 11, 2024

Episode Date: January 12, 2024

Closing arguments in Trump New York civil trial; Hunter Biden pleads not guilty in federal court; Avalanche survivor says ‘no doubt’ he thought he would die; and more on tonight’s broadcast. 

Tonight, the courtroom drama on both coasts as former President Donald Trump and Hunter Biden face judges. First, in New York, Donald Trump delivering part of his own closing argument in the $370 million civil fraud trial that threatens his business empire. What he said that led the judge to tell his lawyers to, quote, control your client. And the scare hours before, a bomb threat at the judge's home. And when can we expect the verdict? And in Los Angeles, Hunter Biden pleading not guilty to nine federal tax charges. And First Lady Jill Biden coming to his defense, what she said about Republican attacks on him. Breaking news, the U.S. and U.K. launching airstrikes in Yemen against Iran-backed Houthi rebels who've been attacking

ships in the Red Sea. Also, the major cross-country storm, the Midwest bracing for a bomb cyclone blizzard, then the threat moving into the Northeast, more potential flooding. We're tracking it. Four days to Iowa. Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis on the trail after their contentious debate. Our interview with Haley, how she's responding to Chris Christie's hot mic moment. Israel and Hamas in talks to deliver medicine to hostages in Gaza, as they mark nearly 100 days in captivity. And after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl rings, the end of an era for the man many consider the greatest NFL coach ever.

This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. Good evening and welcome. It was a memorable split-screen moment in American justice today. A former president and the son of a president on opposite coasts, each being held to account before courts of law. Donald Trump in a will-he-or-won't-he moment, addressing the court, arguing on his own behalf in the penalty phase of a civil fraud case against him in New York, telling the court this is a fraud on me, and proclaiming his innocence in a trial

in which he and his namesake company have already been found liable for falsely inflating his net worth by billions of dollars to defraud banks and insurers. Tonight, threatened with the potential loss of his ability to run his own company, as well as $370 million in penalties, Mr. Trump telling the court they should pay me. While in Los Angeles, Hunter Biden had only two words to say, not guilty, as he appeared in federal court to face arraignment on tax charges. Senior legal correspondent Laura Jarrett leads our coverage. Fireworks in the courtroom. Donald Trump delivering his own closing argument in his Manhattan civil fraud trial today.

Facing the prospect of losing control of his namesake company and a massive civil penalty, Mr. Trump briefly took matters into his own hands, declaring himself an innocent man, delivering a nearly five-minute speech, largely grievances, against the New York attorney general and the judge overseeing the case, whom he accused of having his own agenda. All that forcing Judge Arthur N. Gorin, who previously resisted granting the former president permission to speak in closings, to call on Mr. Trump's attorneys to, quote,

control their client. They don't have any evidence against us. Millions and millions of pages, years of litigation, and all politically motivated. The surreal scene in court today playing out just hours after police responded to a bomb threat, a judge in Gorin's home. The judge having become a target months ago after deciding the heart of the state's case against Mr. Trump,

his sons and the Trump organization, finding them liable for fraud. The attorney general's office now asking for a $370 million civil penalty against Trump for ill-gotten gains, alleging, the depth, the breadth of the illegality, the fraud that impersonally enriched Donald Trump. Mr. Trump said in court today the banks got all their money back as his defense team implored the judge not to impose the corporate death penalty for what they call a victimless crime, arguments Judge Ngorin previously rejected in his September summary judgment decision. Laura joins me from outside the courthouse tonight. Laura, what happens next in this case?

Well, Esther, now the judge has to determine liability on several remaining claims, including falsification of business records, insurance fraud, as well as conspiracy. Of course, the judge also has to determine the ultimate penalty, if any. And Lester, he's doing this all by himself, as this is a bench trial. He said today he hopes to have a written decision by the end of the month, Lester. Laura Jarrett, thank you. In another courtroom across the country, President Biden's son, Hunter Biden, pleaded not guilty today to federal tax charges. Ryan Nobles has that story in Los Angeles. Today, Hunter Biden again in federal court pleading not guilty to nine tax charges,

three of them felonies that could land him in prison for 17 years if convicted. Prosecutors say Biden willfully avoided paying $1.4 million in taxes from 2016 to 2019. Instead, spending, quote, millions of dollars on an extravagant lifestyle rather than paying his tax bills. Inside court, Biden answering brief questions from the judge, who set a tentative June 20th trial date. Biden's legal team has argued Hunter was dealing with addiction and has since paid his taxes back. It comes after Hunter Biden's surprise appearance has argued Hunter was dealing with addiction and has since paid his taxes back. It comes after Hunter Biden's surprise appearance in Congress yesterday, showing up at a hearing where Republicans were considering recommending contempt of Congress charges against him.

Ignoring a congressional subpoena to be deposed, what are you afraid of? Hunter Biden refusing to comply with the subpoena for a closed-door testimony, saying he would only talk in public, leaving the hearing room after a few minutes. Republicans calling it a PR stunt. He was not there to answer questions. This is the second time that Hunter Biden has displayed in real time the arrogance and entitlement that he's had his entire life. This morning, First Lady Joe Biden said she was proud of the way her son has managed his recovery and blasted Republicans for showing naked selfies of Hunter during a recent hearing. What they are doing to Hunter is cruel.

And I'm really proud of how Hunter has rebuilt his life after addiction. And I think, you know, I love my son and it's had it's hurt my grandchildren. And that's what I'm so concerned about. And Ryan House Republicans are still demanding Hunter Biden's testimony as part of the impeachment inquiry into his father's finances. That's right, Lester. And the House could vote to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress as soon as next week. It will then be up to the Department of Justice to decide whether or not he will be charged with a crime. Lester. All right, Ryan Nobles, thank you. There is breaking news out of the Middle East tonight. The U.S. and U.K. launching airstrikes inside Yemen against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels who have been attacking ships in the Red Sea.

Courtney Kuby joins us. Courtney, what do we know right now? Lester, President Biden has been under growing pressure to take action against the Houthis who have been targeting ships in the Red Sea. And tonight, we've just learned the U.S. and British militaries have taken aim at that Iranian-backed militia, striking from fighter jets and missiles fired from U.S. Navy surface ships and a submarine. The American and British military striking multiple targets in Houthi-controlled Yemen, hitting drone and missile storage facilities, radar sites, and launchers. Now,

since November 19th, the Houthis have fired off more than 80 drones and missiles at busy shipping lanes in the Red Sea and conducted this brazen attack in which armed Houthi rebels hijacked a cargo ship that set in motion a recent string of now at least 27 attacks to date. The Houthis saying this is retaliation for Israel's war on Hamas. But major shipping companies have now announced they will avoid the area, adding time and costs to their routes. Lester. Courtney Kuby, thanks. Another major new winter storm so intense it could soon qualify as a bomb cyclone is barreling across the country. Let's bring in Bill Cairns now, who's tracking it all.

Bill, a lot of Americans will find themselves in the path of this. Yeah, good evening, Lester. And we're only days ahead of the Iowa caucus, and most of the state is under a blizzard warning. Also, winter storm warnings, Omaha, Chicago, Milwaukee, that's where the storm is going to hit the hardest. Someone could get over a foot of snow, especially southern Wisconsin, northern portions of Illinois, and the northern half of Michigan. And the winds are going to be howling up to 50 miles per hour. We're also going to get severe weather with this. Hopefully not as many tornadoes with this one, but they are possible, especially as we go throughout the south over the next 24 hours. So be ready for that. Also, could have power getting knocked out with the winds. Flood watch is up along the I-95 corridor. The rivers are already flooding from the

last storm and now another inch to two on top of it. And the last part of this puzzle is one that's different, Lester. We are going to see extreme colds from Montana to Texas by the weekend. All right, Bill, thanks very much. And already the massive storm has caused a deadly avalanche with people caught in its path, lucky to survive. Maggie Vespa has the latest. Tonight, the next wave of severe winter weather already leaving devastation in its wake. It swept me off my feet, threw me onto my back. In California, heavy snow and high winds sparking a sudden deadly avalanche at the Palisades Tahoe Resort Wednesday. Crews here digging out Jason Parker.

You thought for a minute there you might die. Oh, there's yeah, there's no doubt. The 52-year-old Nevada snowboarder was buried by up to four feet of snow for roughly eight minutes, unable to move and losing oxygen. I think I'm just starting to black out at this point. And and I just said, this is the way I'm going to go. Rescuers working frantically. That's when I felt this probe hit the back of my back. Just like, oh, oh, my God, God, they've got me. And then I could hear somebody yell, I've got him. Authorities say one man, 66-year-old Kenneth Kidd, died in the

avalanche. Two people were injured. Now that system on the move and gaining strength. A winter war nation now bracing for another blast. Maggie Vespa, NBC News. Tonight, just four days from the Iowa caucuses, it is a battle to the finish for second place behind Donald Trump, with Nikki Haley seeing her fortunes rising despite an unwelcome remark from a former rival. Garrett Haig is in Iowa for us tonight. Nikki Haley tonight shrugging off this hot mic Chris Christie critique, threatening to blunt her momentum in the final four days before the Iowa caucuses. And she's going to get smoked. And you and I both know it. She's not up to this.

How do you convince folks he's wrong and you're up to this moment? I don't have to convince people he's wrong because nobody in that crowd's asking me about that. I mean, they see politics is not personal for me. It is for the fellows. It's not for me. So get excited. Four days until caucus. Haley has ridden rising poll numbers into a battle for second place in Iowa behind Donald Trump, hoping to defy expectations here. All the media pundits love to talk about how they know what's going to happen in Iowa. I trust that you did your homework. I trust that you know where you want the country to go.

Her crowd's now growing. She's as qualified as any person running for president in the last couple decades. But Haley's recent rise has put a political target on her back. The Trump campaign launching a new ad highlighting her views on Social Security this morning. Haley's plan cuts social security benefits. And Ron DeSantis, who has focused his campaign heavily on Iowa and needs a strong showing here, mocking her debate performance last night. I think it was like a Hillary Clinton type performance. Haley expecting to outlast the Florida governor.

It's going to be a two-person race. We know that. Our goal is not to worry about petty things that others say. It's more about what do we need to do to get that next vote. Donald Trump Jr. keeping up the attacks on Haley here tonight, saying she's out of touch with the modern Republican Party. Lester. All right, Garrett, thank you. In 60 seconds, just in, signs of hope to get medicine to hostages being held in Gaza. And nearly 100 days later,

Richard Engel is at the site where many were taken with one mother's poignant call for their release. Families of hostages held in Gaza are preparing for a heartbreaking milestone, 100 days since their loved ones were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists. Here's Richard Engel. It's been nearly 100 days since Hamas massacred more than 1,200 people and kidnapped hundreds inside Israel. And today, Israelis began to commemorate the milestone in the most mournful way. Families of hostages went right to the border with Gaza to shout to their loved ones. Don't give up. Stay resilient. We're coming to get you soon. The spot is painful and emotional. This is where an open-air concert was held on October 7th,

when Hamas gunmen suddenly appeared in the sky and went on to murder more than 360 young men and women, kidnap dozens, and according to Israeli officials, rape women. We are standing so close to you. We love you so much. Romy Gonin was kidnapped from the festival. Shortly afterwards, we met her mother, Mirav, who was on the phone with her daughter as Hamas gunmen surrounded her car and took her. I spoke to Mirav again today, next to Romy's photograph. She was trying to escape from here.

So, you know, I have it in my mind. It's not just the sounds that I hear. Now I have the images, the pictures of what she was going through. And when you were shouting out her name. Yeah. Do you believe she could hear you? Yes. Yes. She can either hear me or feel that I'm talking to her. I know she does. The Israeli government believes at least 100 hostages are still alive in Gaza. The White House says at least six of them are Americans. Negotiations to free them, led by Qatar and Egypt, have been stalled for weeks. A diplomat briefed on the talks tells NBC News that negotiations are underway to get badly needed medicine into Gaza for both the

hostages and Palestinian civilians. Lester. Richard Engel, thanks. Up next, the number of students experiencing homelessness is rising. How one big school district is stepping in to help. No one will argue that educating our children is a top priority, but it's becoming more challenging as more school children experience homelessness. Stephanie Gosk reports from Los Angeles on how that district is helping. Alberto Carvalho runs the second largest school district in the country. Not an easy job, but right now it's harder than ever. We have an excess of 13,000 students who are experiencing homelessness. That number increased by close to 19%.

An increase in evictions, higher cost of living, and a migrant crisis, all leading to more students who don't have a permanent home. I actually do believe that the numbers that we are currently tracking are but the tip of the iceberg. Like 14-year-old Vanessa, when we met her in the fall, she was living in interim housing, sharing a converted hotel room with her mother and 10-year-old brother. Vanessa just started at the neighborhood high school across the street. Toughest part of my day is probably leaving my mom, especially since she's still stuck here. But why is that the toughest? Do you worry about

your mom? I worry a lot about my mom most of the time. Her mom suffered a health scare when the school year began and was in the hospital. Vanessa had to stay home from school to take care of her brother. She worries they will end up in foster care. Vanessa says taking care of her family led her to fail her first semester in eighth grade. Is it hard sometimes to focus on school when so much is going on outside of school? Yes, there were some moments where I didn't pay attention to much in school. The stress and the trauma felt by students is manifested in the classroom. Therefore, it is impacting teachers on a daily basis. What effect does that have on a school's ability to teach the entire school? Well, when you have a disproportionate number of students experiencing homelessness, you have to devote resources, special attention, counseling

support, mental health support. To help families like Vanessa's, the district has beefed up their parent support systems and before and after school programs. Carvalho and other school officials, even visiting students with low attendance rates, an initiative called I Attend. How important is education to break a cycle of homelessness? It's probably the only ticket. And I take myself as the example of that. After moving here from Portugal as a teenager, Carvalho was homeless himself in Miami, where he would later serve his first stint as a superintendent.

I remember sleeping under the bridges of Miami blocks away from the office that ultimately I occupied as superintendent. This is personal for you? It's very personal. Vanessa struggles with the uncertainty. When you look at yourself five years from now, ten years from now, where do you want to be? Hopefully out of here very fast and have to help my mom out. The family has now moved to more permanent housing, but it is just a first step. If you do not create the appropriate environments, if you do not invest sufficiently, we're asking for problems that will be much costlier to address later on. Keeping Vanessa in high school is key, Carvalho says. He hopes the system doesn't let her down.

Stephanie Gosk, NBC News, L.A. And coming up, the fireworks in football. The end of an era for three legendary coaches in a league of their own. After 24 seasons, Bill Belichick is out as the New England Patriots coach. Jesse Kirsch reports on the seismic coaching shifts. He led the New England Patriots, including superstar quarterback Tom Brady, to six Super Bowl wins. Through it all, head coach Bill Belichick never got too excited, and today was no different. For me, this is a day of, you know, gratitude and celebration.

Following a dismal season, Belichick and the Patriots are parting ways after a 24-year span that included deflategate. He may show up on another sideline. It'll be difficult to see him in a cutoff hoodie on the sideline, but I will always continue to wish him continued success, except when he's playing our beloved Patriots. Brady calling Belichick the best coach in NFL history, adding, I could never have been the player I was without you, Coach Belichick. I am forever grateful. Belichick's departure,

just the week's latest major audible. Alabama head coach Nick Saban stunned college football fans Wednesday, retiring after more than three decades on the sidelines. Saban winning seven national titles, the icon writing, the goal was always to help players create more value for their future, be the best player they could be, and be more successful in life. Today, fans celebrating the legend. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks moving on from head coach Pete Carroll. One day, Belichick and Carroll could wind up enshrined here at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Some of Saban's players could wind up enshrined here, too. Tonight, new playbooks for a trio of coaches that's bigger than the X's and O's.

Jesse Kirsch, NBC News, Canton, Ohio. And that's nightly news for this Thursday. Thank you for watching, everyone. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night.