NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Thursday, June 27, 2024

Episode Date: June 28, 2024

Biden and Trump in crucial first presidential debate; High stakes for both candidates in first presidential debate; High court allows emergency abortions in Idaho for now; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the historic showdown Joe Biden and Donald Trump set to face off in their first 2024 presidential debate. The stage now set, the candidates arriving in Atlanta for the biggest night of this campaign so far. For President Biden, his best chance yet to ease questions over his age. While former President Trump is taking the stage less than a month after his criminal conviction. The attacks expected over abortion, the economy, immigration, and the mystery over Mr. Trump's VP pick, the top three contenders all expected to be there. Our full coverage tonight. Also this evening, the Supreme Court allowing emergency abortions in Idaho for now, a day

after the ruling was mistakenly posted online. Why the fight is far from over. Just in, more than two years after the Uvalde massacre, the indictment the now former school district police chief is facing. New storms in the Midwest on the heels of catastrophic flooding and deadly weather slamming the Northeast.

In Gaza, 20 critically ill children in desperate need of care. Vermont's NBC News exclusively tracking the secret mission to rescue them. Our camera's there today as they are evacuated out of the war zone. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. Good evening and welcome. The stage is set for the most significant night of the 2024 campaign so far. President Biden and former President Trump have arrived in Atlanta to face off in their first debate, hoping to win over undecided voters while reassuring their supporters. They'll appear for 90 minutes with no studio

audience and with microphones muted while the other candidate is speaking. Inflation, immigration, and abortion rights expected to be key topics tonight. President Biden comes into this showdown facing low approval ratings while Mr. Trump enters the night under the cloud of his felony conviction. And four years after their last debate, both men face voter concerns over their age. Also there, the top three contenders to be Mr. Trump's running mate. Hallie Jackson starts us off from Atlanta. The stage now set the candidates arriving for what may be the most watched moment of this election and one America has never seen in modern political history. The current president versus the former president with Mr. Trump doing a final brush up on the plane

to Atlanta, according to a person close to him. President Biden arriving from Camp David, where sources tell NBC News he's held multiple full length mock debates. The two tonight face to face, but not eye to eye with sharp distinctions on how to handle issues like abortion access. The president also looking to show strength to counter voter concerns about his age and on Mr. Trump's legal issues, taking out a full page ad describing him as a convicted criminal. Should we expect to hear President Biden call Mr. Trump directly a convicted felon? Well, it depends on the question. I don't think he's going gratuitously throw it out there, but he's called Donald Trump a felon

before. So I don't think that he wouldn't do it. And if the shoe fits, you wear it. And former President Trump is a convicted felon. And the Biden campaign deploying Mr. Trump's estranged niece to help make the case against him. Donald Trump should never be allowed near the levers of power ever again. Former President Trump, for his part, previewing a push on immigration, with voters consistently saying the border and the economy are the two most important factors they're considering. No matter what Joe Biden promised in the debate, ask yourself, are you financially better off since he became president? Mr. Trump has said his running mate

will be in Atlanta tonight, but he hasn't said which of the top contenders he'll choose. J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio, Doug Burgum, as allies suggest Mr. Trump may rein himself in on stage. Will we see a more disciplined Donald Trump tonight on that debate stage here? You will. He's been president of the United States. He knows what this job is. He knows the issues and the ways to fix this country. And then he's looking at a man who's done a terrible job. It's not clear if the two opponents will shake hands, as is tradition, in a studio with no live audience and with microphones muted when it's not their turn to speak. Some new national polling shows Mr. Trump narrowly leading President Biden,

although within the margin of error. And tonight may make a difference. 16 percent of voters say they're open to changing their pick based on tonight's performances. The most critical in this campaign yet. Howie joins us now from the spin room tonight where the debate is just the beginning of a new push for both campaigns. That's right, Lester. After their surrogates hit the spin room here in Atlanta, both candidates are hoping to take whatever momentum they get from the debate on the road to rallies. President Biden set to head to North Carolina, former President Trump to Virginia.

Lester. Hallie Jackson starting us off. Thanks. And joining me now, Kristen Welker, moderator of Meet the Press. And Kristen, this is a critical moment. There's a scorecard here. But what does each side need to do to feel like they succeeded this evening? Great question, Lester will aids to former President Trump tell me they are advising him to deliver a measured performance tonight after that previous debate in 2020, where he was harshly criticized for

interrupting repeatedly. Meanwhile, for President Biden, who's trailing in key states and needs to shake up this race critical for him tonight to counter polls that show voters have concerns he's not up to the job and to come across as tough against Mr. Trump. And Kristen, we have both moderated presidential debates. The rules in this one are a bit different than what people are likely normally see. Yeah, you're right about that. In fact, the new rules are going to be center stage as much as the candidates will be, particularly this change where they will mute the mic of the person not speaking. Hallie just talked about that.

So the big question, will we get to see those clashes that often define a debate? In the debate I moderated, the mics were muted, but only temporarily after the first two minutes of each topic, which did help control the conversation, Lester, and could be a preview of what we get to see tonight. All right, Kristen, thanks very much. And join us tonight, starting at 9 p.m. Eastern, for the first presidential debate hosted by CNN. The issue of abortion in tonight's debate is likely to touch on today's Supreme Court decision, allowing the state of Idaho to perform emergency abortions, at least for the time being. Laura Jarrett has more on the court's ruling. Tonight, a major dispute over state-level abortion bans left unresolved. The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily clearing the way for women in Idaho to receive abortions

when their health is at risk, but sidestepping a broader ruling that would have put to rest a fierce fight over precisely what care doctors must provide going forward. The justice is punting that issue to the lower courts, leaving some doctors uneasy about the road ahead. Now we will need to be in this waiting pattern again. I would say our health system in Idaho is collapsing under the weight of this. The Biden DOJ had argued federal law requires hospitals that receive federal funding provide abortions to women in health emergencies, including grave situations that threaten their future fertility. But Idaho only allows abortions

to save a woman's life, a majority of the justices opting not to say which side is right, punting the issue to the lower courts. Well, we'll continue to litigate it vigorously at the Ninth Circuit. The court issuing a short, unsigned opinion identical to the one prematurely posted on its website Thursday, drawing a sharp rebuke from Justice Jackson, accusing her colleagues of dawdling on the heart of the question. When are abortions mandated? One still percolating not only in Idaho, but at least six other states with strict abortion bans. Justice Alito also critical of the decision, suggesting his colleagues had allowed the emotional and highly politicized nature of the issue cloud their reasoning. This case, one of two battles over abortion this term,

testing where the justices stand now, just two years after the conservative majority overturned Roe, this time in the midst of a hotly contested election year. The Trump campaign saying the former president continues supporting the rights of states to make decisions on abortion. The Biden campaign pouncing on the court's ruling, out with a new ad emphasizing the health consequences of abortion bans like Idaho's. When you're the only person in the emergency room at two in the morning and someone comes in hemorrhaging and they're pregnant, you're responsible. The penalties are so severe. Felony, imprisonment, loss of license. Those are terrifying things.

And Laura, we got another major ruling from the court today on an opioid settlement. Lester, it's a multi-billion dollar deal involving Purdue Pharma, maker of the powerful painkiller OxyContin, upended today after the justices found the proposed plan wrongfully shielded members of the Sackler family from liability. Now, this leaves tens of thousands of families that have been seeking compensation in limbo, hoping to reach another settlement soon. All right, Laura, thank you. Just in tonight, more than two years after 21 people were fatally shot at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, the now former school district police chief has been charged for the and is being booked, according to Uvalde jail officials. Arredondo faces charges of abandoning and endangering a child in connection with that 2022 massacre at Robb Elementary School, in which 19 fourth graders and two teachers were killed by an 18-year-old shooter. This marks the first criminal charge of any law enforcement officer related to the mass shooting response. Arredondo faced heavy criticism after it took nearly charge of any law enforcement officer related to the mass shooting response.

Arredondo faced heavy criticism after it took nearly 400 members of law enforcement 77 minutes to confront the shooter after the first shots were fired. In January, the district attorney there disclosed that she had convened a grand jury to consider criminal charges. Lester. All right, Sam Brock with the breaking news. Thank you. Yet more rain is in the forecast for parts of the Midwest still reeling from that flooding emergency we've been reporting on all week. Jesse Kirsch is following it all from South Dakota. Jesse, how does the region look tonight? Lester, this hard hit community is near one of the more than 100 river locations still at flood stage in a region expecting more rain over the next several hours.

The storms this week bringing soaking rain, powerful winds, and damaging floods to so many communities. The Northeast hit overnight with falling trees killing two people, one in New Jersey and one in Connecticut. Meanwhile, today, Macs are sharing new satellite images that reveal the scale of destruction around Minnesota's Rapidan Dam. Here it is in 2011. This was the dam yesterday. As floodwaters recede, cleanup continues in places like North Sioux City, South Dakota. Everything I have in there is gone. Michelle Lawan says after she saw the water rising on a walk Sunday night, she got her dogs and drove away.

Luan is just one of the residents who told us as scenes like this unfolded, they did not get any cell phone alerts telling them to evacuate. Tonight, a local official says first responders shared an evacuation recommendation by word of mouth as they were assisting residents with evacuation efforts throughout the afternoon. But a cell phone and landline alert did not go out until roughly 40 minutes after this video was taken. Luan says her home is now this pile of rubble. Is there a future for you here? I don't see a future for me here. And it's devastating. I love my neighbors.

I love this area. But, I mean, if I'm quite honest, I don't know that where I live will ever be buildable again. Jesse Kirsch, NBC News, North Sioux City, South Dakota. We turn out of the secret mission today in Gaza. For months, NBC News has been tracking a behind-the-scenes effort to rescue critically ill children from the war zone. And today, our cameras were there as they finally were evacuated. Here's Andrea Mitchell. Tonight, 20 desperately ill children rescued from Gaza. Most doctors say with treatable cancers, but unable to get chemotherapy and blood transfusions because of the war. Our crew was there as they boarded a bus and ambulances today.

Children like 11-year-old Siraj, no longer able to lift a bottle of water, diagnosed two months ago with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. His mother says he's losing weight, needs a blood transfusion, is scared and in pain. Unable to walk, he's carried to an ambulance. And six-year-old Jory, treated for brain cancer at a children's hospital in Gaza until it was bombed. Her mom says losing strength for the lack of medicine and food. Any interruption of care, even for a few days or a matter of weeks or even hours, could result in death in many of these children.

Since November, NBC News has been tracking this mission exclusively, as the White House, working secretly with Egypt, Israel, Palestinian doctors and doctors from St. Jude in Memphis, helped save 140 children from Gaza. But that came to a halt when Israel launched its offensive in Rafah on May 6th, closing the only crossing to Egypt. Since then, getting cleared by the warring parties, a huge challenge for the children and parents. These kids have been without the chemo they need. Supplies are not getting in. They couldn't get out. That's right.

And they're obviously at critical stages of their treatment. And they weren't able to get that life-saving, that critical medical attention that they needed for their care. And so now they will. Five-year-old Fayez is traveling with his grandmother, his mom unable to leave. Tonight, they are safe in Egypt, a small ray of light in the darkness of war. As a result of today's successful mission, tonight doctors say they have a new agreement to keep the rescue operation going. Lester. Andrea, thank you.

In 60 seconds, new trouble for Boeing, why the NTSB has just punished the company. What Boeing did and how it says it's trying to win back the trust of airlines and the public. Our behind-the-scenes look. Boeing has new trouble with the NTSB tonight over something an executive said about that mid-air door plug blowout, and it comes as the company is giving an inside look at the safety changes it's making in its factories. Here's Tom Costello. Already under FAA and FBI investigation, the NTSB has hit Boeing hard, sanctioning Boeing for detailing to reporters how a MAX 9 fuselage moved through the assembly line with its door plug not properly

bolted in. We believe that plug was opened without the correct paperwork. The NTSB says those comments blatantly violated NTSB investigative regulations that prohibit anyone from releasing information until an investigation is complete. Boeing today said we deeply regret that some of our comments intended to make clear our responsibility in the accident and explain the actions we are taking overstepped the NTSB's role. Now Boeing's role in investigating what went wrong on the 737 MAX assembly line will be curtailed. This is the line where that MAX 9 came off and then a few weeks later had the door plug blow out over Portland. It is under intense FAA and NTSB scrutiny right now because on this assembly line, Boeing's reputation is on the line. Boeing insists it's now moving fast to change its culture and manufacturing procedures to regain the trust

of the FAA, the airlines, and flying public. I feel like people are a lot more comfortable to speak up. Why has it taken you so long to develop a top-to-bottom approach to quality and safety management that one would think this company should have already had in place decades ago. We have a strong foundation of caring deeply about safety. I believe this plan will make us stronger. Meanwhile, a new whistleblower tells the FAA he was fired by subcontractor Spirit Aerosystems after reporting substandard work on the 787. Boeing says the issues were addressed and fixed. Spirit says we encourage all employees with concerns to come forward. Boeing's turnaround

plan tonight under the microscope and overshadowed. Tom Costello, NBC News, Seattle. Coming up as we continue here tonight, the battle of the online retail giants, how Amazon plans to take on those surging Chinese link discount retailers next. There's a new front in the online shopping wars. Amazon planning to take on two of its surging Chinese link rivals by launching its own discount store. Christine Romans has more. Guys, I literally have the biggest Timu haul ever. Shoppers sharing their passion. Timu has everything. For online discount retailers, Temu and Shein, both with roots in China. All these pieces are from the Shein mod collection. Big Shein pull bars? Yeah. I like it. The online retailers surging in popularity ship goods from China directly to U.S. customers,

bypassing import fees, which helps keep prices down. So there's an $800 threshold on tariffs for goods coming in from China. These companies keep the amount under that threshold, and they don't have to pay the same amount of tariffs. Amazon now looking to fend off the growing competition. CNBC reporting the number one online retailer in the U.S. is planning to launch a new low-priced fashion and lifestyle section with a similar model. Sheen and Temu have really targeted younger shoppers,

younger Gen Z consumer that wants maybe a higher volume of clothes for a cheaper price. Amazon has mimicked that. They've tried to keep their costs down themselves. And they're going after sort of that social media shopper. Amazon plans more unbranded items, many selling for less than $20, according to a presentation reviewed by CNBC that Amazon executives showed sellers in China. Amazon soared to success in part by undercutting prices at traditional brick and mortar stores. Now it's feeling the heat from international startups once again rewriting the

rules for shopping. Now for Amazon customers used to those next day deliveries, these low prices would come with a longer wait time, probably more than a week. So we'll see if for shoppers, the price is worth the patience, Lester. All right, Christine more than a week. So we'll see if for shoppers, the price is worth the patience, Lester. All right, Christine, thanks very much. And 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.