NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Episode Date: March 5, 2025

Trump to make high-stakes address marking six weeks in office; Market turmoil and business warnings as new tariffs begin; Trump voters weigh in on the president’s first six weeks; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the president poised to address a divided nation as he goes to battle on trade and stuns the world, freezing aid to Ukraine. The high-stakes speech at a pivotal moment of the Trump presidency, the deep cuts slashing budgets and federal workers six weeks in. Elon Musk expected to be on hand. A sudden shutoff of aid to Ukraine as they fight off the Russian invasion. Moscow praising the move. President Zelensky calling that Oval Office meeting regrettable.

And where do things stand with the mineral deal? The market rollercoaster as the president deepens the trade war, but could a compromise be in the works? The major tariffs against Canada, Mexico and China. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau swiftly retaliating. Beijing set to levy tariffs on beef, soybeans and more. And Target's CEO warning the price of fruits and vegetables from Mexico could go up in just days. Over 100 million under wind alerts from a monster cross-country storm. serious damage in Oklahoma, the intense dust storm in Texas, Mardi Gras cut short.

Al Roker is here as the severe storm threat lingers through tomorrow. Stunning video, lawmakers deploying smoke grenades in Parliament in Europe. What started it? And speaking from space, what Butch Wilmore and Sonny Williams told us as they finally get set to return

home. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. Good evening and welcome tonight from Washington, D.C., where President Trump will deliver a primetime address to a joint session of Congress after a blistering pace in his first six weeks in office, focused on illegal immigration and shrinking the size of government, the president is expected to update his efforts to muscle through a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Mr. Trump temporarily pausing armed shipments to Ukraine, whose leader Volodymyr Zelensky tried to move past that painful Oval Office dust-up last week, posting on social media, Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table. In addition to President Trump positioning himself as a

peacemaker, his gambit on trade and tariffs also being put to the test as stocks take another beating. Peter Alexander begins our reporting tonight. Tonight, President Trump, the sequel, set to address both Congress and the country for the first time in his second term. Tonight's theme, the White House says, the renewal of the American dream, with the president already making a sales pitch for his first six weeks. So we're setting a lot of records. I think every way we're setting records. President Trump, aides say, will tout his pledge to be a peacemaker. It comes as Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky now says he's ready to sign that minerals agreement

designed to help the U.S. recoup billions of dollars in American aid, which is seen as a first step in an eventual peace deal with Russia. Zelensky posting, I would like to reiterate Ukraine's commitment to peace. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump's strong leadership to get a peace that lasts. Those comments coming just hours after President Trump suspended military aid to Ukraine, a major policy reversal, while the war is still raging, and criticized Zelensky for saying a peace deal is, quote, still very, very far away. A White House official telling NBC News the pause allows a review to ensure the aid is contributing to a solution to the conflict. You got to be more thankful because let me tell you, you don't have the cards.

It follows that disastrous Oval Office meeting. Zelensky today posting it did not go the way it was supposed to, adding it is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. But the president's decision to pause aid is sparking bipartisan criticism. This is preposterous. It is laughable. It is childish. And it is embarrassing for Donald Trump. We'll see how the president deals with it in his speech tonight. But a prolonged cessation of support for Ukraine, I think, is a disaster. President Trump tonight is also expected to tout progress on key campaign promises, including securing the border. Under President Biden, in each of the last three Februaries, migrant crossings soared past 150,000 each month. But this February, under President Trump, those migrant crossings plummeted to just 8,300,

the lowest number in at least 25 years. We've gone from the worst border ever in history to the strongest border. Then there's the president's Department of Government Efficiency, with Elon Musk set to attend tonight. Doge is a threat to the bureaucracy. It's the first threat to the bureaucracy. But Democrats have slammed the rapid cost cutting and plan to bring fired federal workers as their guests. What is the state of the union, we ask? Chaos is up, corruption is up, and costs are up for regular people.

A lot has changed in five years. President Trump's last address came before COVID, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi over his shoulder ripping up his speech. But tonight, there's a Republican speaker and a different vice president. He's going to talk about a lot of the successes that we've had. He's also going to be himself, which means he's going to poke a little fun and we're going to have a good time. And Peter, tonight, we've also learned who the president's special guests will be. Lester, among those attending tonight, Mark Fogle, who's released from Russia. President

Trump recently negotiated the family of Corey Comperatore, the Pennsylvania firefighter who was killed in last summer's assassination attempt on the president. And Peyton McNabb, a former high school athlete who suffered serious injuries after a transgender woman spiked a volleyball hitting her face during a girls' match. Lester. All right, Peter Alexander, thank you. And markets tumbled for the second day in a row over President Trump's new tariffs, the Dow losing more than 1,300 points in two days.

Now the Trump administration is signaling a tariffs pullback could come as soon as tomorrow. With more, here's Christine Rummans. Only hours after President Trump's tariffs on America's three biggest trading partners kicked in, rattling the markets and escalating fears of a global trade war, the administration appeared to ease off. And the president's listening because, you know, he's very, very fair and very reasonable. So I think he's going to work something out with them. It's not going to be a pause, none of that pause stuff.

But I think he's going to figure out, you do more and I'll meet you in the middle some way. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick earlier in the day defended new tariffs, saying they are not inflationary. This is not a trade war. Right. This is a drug war. Insisting that Trump's 20 percent tariffs on China and 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada are about fentanyl coming into the U.S. Let's look at the facts. Our border is already safe and secure. Far less than 1% of fentanyl flows and less than 1% of illegal crossings into the United States comes from Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tearing into President Trump.

It's not in my habit to agree with the Wall Street Journal. But Donald, they point out that even though you're a very smart guy, this is a very dumb thing to do. Mexico's president today vowing retaliation. China and Canada now targeting tens of billions in American farm goods with tariffs of their own. Wall Street on edge as companies brace for a trade war. Shipping giant Maersk warned it will cost more to move goods. Insurance leader Progressive sees higher insurance rates as cars get more expensive. Best Buy said vendors would pass on higher prices for electronics. And Target's CEO had this warning on the prices of fruits and vegetables coming from Mexico.

The consumer will likely see price increases over the next couple of days. If there's a 25% tariff, those prices will go up. Christine, these comments from the Commerce Secretary late in the day seem like a potential shift in policy. Yeah, Lester, it's hard to say if this was a reaction to all of the backlash, both foreign and domestic today, backlash even from some within the president's own party. And not lost on this White House is that consumer spending just dropped for the first time in nearly two years.

New tariffs could have a big impact on people's willingness to spend money. Lester? All right, Christine, thank you. And joining me now, Kristen Welker, moderator of Meet the Press, and Hallie Jackson, who anchors Nightly News Sunday.

Kristen, we're only six weeks into the new term here. This is still a very critical speech tonight. It is, Lester. President Trump heads into tonight with an approval rating that is higher than where he was at this point in his first term,

lower than where a number of his predecessors were at this point. Of course, he had a flurry of activity. He passed a record number of executive actions, but he's also facing some headwinds. Most Americans say that he should be more focused on lowering prices. Of course, there's that uncertainty on the world stage. So his challenge tonight is going to be to convince Americans that his bold moves will help their bottom lines. And this is the biggest stage he will have likely this year. And, Hallie, we shouldn't forget the Democrats, while out of power here, the balance of power, still this is an important night for them as well. That's right.

As one Democratic member put it to me today, the party has gotten off to a lackluster start when it comes to a cohesive strategy to try to oppose the new Trump administration. But there is some hope now among Democrats that they are finding their footing when it comes to being laser focused on issues like the economy, like those tariffs we've been talking about, like Medicaid, for example. You're still seeing some of those divisions, like for Democrats, attend, don't attend, hold up a sign, don't hold up a sign. The response tonight will come from Michigan Democrat Alyssa Slotkin, the senator who won a state that President Trump flipped in the 2024 election. She is expected to lay out the party's vision for the economy and for national security. Lester. OK, Hallie and Kristen, thanks to both of you. President Trump

front and center tonight after his sweeping election victory. But how are those Trump voters reacting to his first six weeks in office? Shaq Brewster went to Battleground, Wisconsin. Tonight in Waukesha, Wisconsin, many Trump voters are still getting used to that whirlwind start to the president's second term. How are you feeling six weeks in? I'm feeling that the world is, uh, it's a lot more stable than it would have been under Biden. When we met 28-year-old Zach Lindsay last year,

he told us he was embarrassed by his 2020 vote for President Biden. Because I'm not really too happy with what's going on. So he reluctantly backed Trump. Lindsay tells us he stands by his choice so far. He's keeping most of the promise. He's trying to get the promises that he said. Trump is already doing what he said he's going to do. Realtor Jeff Screamer was once mayor here and said this is what he voted for.

What are the things that excite you the most? Yeah, I'm really happy that he's securing the border. I also love what Doge is doing. And then I'm also really happy to see that we're no longer going to be funding Ukraine. Completely needless war. Love him or hate him, you need to give him a chance. Still, Trump voter Lori Gilkey questions the president's pace. I don't want to have to regret voting for him later on because he jumped into something too

fast. While financial advisor Chip Schneider is worried about tariffs potentially causing prices to rise. What do you want to hear from the president tonight on tariffs? I want to hear his plan for the tariffs. I'm willing to suffer a little bit of pain, but there's definitely a time limit. And in the swing state that President Trump flipped, we found broader support for his tougher immigration policies, even among some who didn't vote for him. Lester. All right, Shaq Brewster tonight. Thanks. And join Savannah Guthrie, Hallie Jackson, Kristen Welker and myself tonight for complete coverage of President Trump's joint address. Coverage gets underway at nine Eastern here on NBC.

Tonight, much of the country is bracing for severe weather that is shaking up some of the nation's biggest Mardi Gras celebrations. Our Jesse Kirsch is in the storm zone in New Orleans. Jesse, what's the scene like there? Lester, we're expecting heavy rain here shortly, plus the possibility of damaging winds and potentially even tornadoes, despite this thousands of people filling Bourbon Street as New Orleans and cities across the country brace for a rough night ahead. Tonight, the potentially dangerous storms are bearing down on tens of millions of Americans. Possible funnel cloud right in front of me.

From the upper Midwest to the deep South. This is moving fast. If you were under that tornado warning, you need to be in your shelter now. Everything from blizzard whiteouts to tornadoes are possible. I mean, it just went right through here. At least two twisters already confirmed in Oklahoma.

With dust storms blowing over parts of Texas. Hundreds of thousands of power outages reported. And Dallas-Fort Worth Airport temporarily grounded all flights. Outside Dallas, these small airplanes tossed around. Meanwhile, several homes and buildings were damaged. I was scared. I mean, I just said the prayer. I just said, God, don't let any of us get killed. A dangerous storm sweeping across the South on Fact Tuesday.

Jeopardizing massive Mardi Gras celebrations. New Orleans still held its major parades this morning, but cut the event short. Despite the ominous forecast, tens of thousands still lined the streets. We're going to always come outside. We're not about to stop. We're not stopping nothing. We're going to still party. In all, roughly 15 million people are at risk of severe weather. Roughly 16 million people are under winter alerts that include some blizzard warnings. And roughly 70 million people face red flag fire warnings. Meanwhile, tomorrow brings little relief as this stretch of severe

weather keeps marching across the country. Jesse Kirsch, NBC News, New Orleans. We're joined now by Al Roker. Al, the storm threat still impacting millions into tomorrow. Absolutely, Lester. And Jesse and his crew are going to have to take cover in just a bit. But as you see, 16 million people, winter storm watches, winter storm warnings and even blizzard warnings and down to the south until 1 a.m. Central Time. We've got a tornado watch, another one. And in fact, this line of heavy thunderstorms moving into New Orleans in about 30 minutes. And there are tornado warnings just to the south there. Now, we're also looking tomorrow at 38 million people from Pittsburgh to Jacksonville, possibility of tornadoes, damaging wind and hail. In fact, that wind with 60-mile-per-hour gusts from Pittsburgh all the way

down to Savannah. And then we're looking at heavy rain, Lester, throughout much of the eastern half of the country. Airport delays, big problems. And we're looking up to a foot of snow in the U.P. of Michigan. We'll have the latest tomorrow morning on Today. Lester. And lots to report there, Al. Thank you. Up now to a chaotic scene from Serbia's parliament today. Opposition lawmakers throwing smoke grenades and using pepper spray inside the chamber, turning it into a plume of smoke. One lawmaker suffering a stroke in the middle of that scene. The lawmakers protesting were backing student demonstrations over a rail station roof collapse that killed 15 people. In 60 seconds, the major lawsuit just dropped against three big banks. Why a government agency is abandoning the suit over the popular payment AppZell.

The concern for consumers coming up. A major development as the Trump administration dropped a lawsuit going after some of the nation's largest banks over their peer-to-peer payments network, Zelle. Brian Chung is here. Brian, what's going on? Lester, the original lawsuit from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau alleged that JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Bank of America didn't take meaningful action against fraud that cost customers $870 million on Zelle, which the banks co-owned, an allegation the banks had denied. But today, the CFPB abruptly dropped that suit without explanation. In a statement, Zelle welcomed the decision to drop the lawsuit, which it said was legally and factually flawed. And just last month, President Donald Trump installed Russell Vogt as acting director of the CFPB. Vogt was a key architect of conservative

agenda Project 2025. Under Vogt, the CFPB has closed its offices and sought to fire hundreds of employees. And also in the last week, the agency moved to dismiss other lawsuits against other banks and loan servicers, too. Lester. Ryan Chung, thanks. Still ahead tonight, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sonny Williams are speaking out and finally on the verge of coming home after their 10-day mission turned into months. For nine months, two NASA astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sonny Williams, have been stuck in space. Today, our Emily Akeda spoke to them as they prepare to make the long return home. Station, this is Houston. Are you ready for the event?

Speaking out from space. We are ready. NASA astronauts Sonny Williams and Butch Wilmore now closing in on their long-awaited return to Earth. And we'll be coming home, riding the plasma, splashing down in the ocean. So that's what we're looking forward to. Alongside astronaut Nick Hague, who arrived on a different mission, the group is expected to swap out with a new crew and return home this month, nearly 300 days later than Williams and Wilmore initially planned. But what has been the most challenging aspect about the changing timeline in space?

Hey, thanks, Emily, for that question, because immediately it brings to mind family and all the people on the ground to support us. Their unexpectedly long stay, complicated by technical problems, has captured widespread attention and concern. President Trump suggesting they were virtually abandoned in space by the Biden administration. But the astronauts insist they're not stuck, steering clear of politicizing their time in orbit. From my standpoint, politics has not played into this at all. We came up prepared to stay long, even though we plan to stay short. That's what we do in human spaceflight. The veteran astronauts have kept busy at the International Space Station

with hundreds of experiments, 3D printing, and spacewalks. Williams even setting a record for the most spacewalk time by a woman, a staggering 62 hours and six minutes. And while the pair is excited to soon embrace their family, friends, and pups, their sense of wonder brighter than ever. Hey, we're going to the moon and Mars. That's what my plan is. I'll be right beside Butch if that's the case. Emily Ikeda, NBC News. When we come back for the birds, meet the group whose passion for connecting with nature is taking flight in the dead of winter. Next. Finally, there's good news tonight about one woman's love of bird watching and her

determination to make it accessible for everyone. Here's Maggie Vespa. On a snowy Saturday outside Detroit, the draw of the great outdoors is undeniable. There's a river in front of me. No matter how you experience it. Welcome to the Great Backyard Bird Count, a bird watching retreat for the blind. It's at least four or five, isn't it? I know it's several. On this day, hearing the trademark calls of Canada geese, blue jays, and more. This is about feeling nature,

experiencing nature. Yes, it's about sensing nature, I like to say. The outing organized by Donna Poissant, who founded Birding by Ear and Beyond through the University of Michigan-Dearborn, after a genetic condition stole her sight as a child, but left her love of exploring intact. Whether through listening, listening feeling even hiking with the right training and the right skills we can live life like other people we say we live the life we want even out in the woods oh yeah this is the life i want her spirit inspiring first time and veteran birders alike i can smell the flowers. We can hear the birds. There's a stereotype that we can't explore nature because we can't see.

And so going against that stereotype, I love it. Confidence and a connection with nature, universal in every sense. Maggie Vespa, NBC News, Proud Lake State Park, Michigan. And that is nightly news. A reminder to join us tonight for President Trump's joint address to Congress. We get underway with our coverage at 9 p.m. Eastern. Thank you for watching. I'm Lester Hull. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night.