NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Episode Date: November 7, 2024

Trump wins historic second term as president; Harris delivers concession speech after losing to Trump; Trump's path to victory evolved over his runs for president; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, our special one-hour edition of Nightly News on the stunning comeback as Donald Trump is elected to become the 47th president of the United States. Mr. Trump riding a red wave back to the White House after surviving his loss in 2020. Two impeachments, felony convictions, and two assassination attempts. The president-elect dominating Vice President Kamala Harris in the battleground states after tapping into voter concerns over the economy and immigration. Mr. Trump now vowing to unite the country. This will truly be the golden age of America. That's what we have to do.

Vice President Harris calling to concede the race to Mr. Trump and late today addressing supporters and the nation. While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign. What went wrong for her and the Democrats as Republicans also flipped control of the Senate. The focus tonight now shifting to what President-elect Trump will do in his second term, his plans for mass deportations, the economy, abortion rights, and what his victory means for the criminal cases pending against him. We will break it all down with full political team coverage. Our special edition of Nightly News begins now. This is NBC Nightly News Decision 2024 live from election headquarters in New York.

Here is Lester Holt. Good evening, everyone. The 2024 race for president of the United States is over. Vice President Harris formally conceding the race to now president-elect Trump, first in a phone call and then in an emotional speech at her alma mater in Washington this afternoon. With wins in key battleground states, Trump easily out-distancing Harris to grab the 270 electoral votes needed for victory. Overnight, Mr. Trump celebrating with family and supporters in Florida. Harris's improbable 15-week-long sprint to election day tripped up by the very blue wall that was supposed to provide her path to victory. Speaking to

supporters today, the vice president pledging to accept the results of the election, promising a peaceful transition of power. Unmentioned, her now former opponent's refusal to accept the results of the last election. Tonight, political experts pointing to a changing electorate and Trump's success at expanding his winning coalition, including attracting more Latino voters. Meantime, acknowledging disappointment, Harris vowing she has not conceded the fight that fueled her campaign. We have expanded coverage tonight, beginning with Garrett Haik. Tonight, Vice President Harris conceding defeat, revealing she placed a call to now President-elect Donald Trump.

I spoke with President-elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory. I also told him that we will help him and his team with their transition and that we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power. After Trump pulled off what's likely the biggest political comeback in modern American history. This was, I believe, the greatest political movement of all time. There's never been anything like this in this country and maybe be. Tonight, votes are still being counted, but Trump is in a position to potentially sweep all seven battleground states. With NBC News projecting he tore down all three states in the so-called Democratic blue wall. And Trump's red wave is poised to

make him the first Republican in 20 years to win the national popular vote. I will govern by a simple motto, promises made, promises kept. We're going to keep our promises. Trump campaign sources telling us they knew Trump had won shortly after 11 p.m. when reports surfaced of a Harris campaign memo urging staff to go home and get some sleep. We knew that constituted the white flag, a senior Trump campaign official tells NBC News. Trump speaking hours later, surrounded by his family, after the race in all-important Pennsylvania was called. I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve.

This will truly be the golden age of America. That's what we have to have. Trump's massive victory coming despite significant obstacles, like the fierce backlash and impeachment over his actions on January 6th. His legal battles, including felony convictions, which Trump said were political prosecutions that raised his poll numbers, plus surviving two assassination attempts. Many people have told me that God spared my life for a reason. And that reason was to save our country and to restore America to greatness. And now we are going to fulfill that mission together.

We're going to fulfill that mission. Trump expanding his coalition from 2016, winning men and first-time voters, and diversifying his strong appeal among working-class Americans in swing states attracting more Black and Latino support. Latino men in particular flocking to Trump, favoring him by a 12-point margin after backing President Biden by 23 points four years ago. Trump also doing much better with young voters. I wanted more secure borders. I want the general policies that Trump aligned with. Well, tonight, Trump pledging in victory to focus on uniting a divided America.

It's time to put the divisions of the past four years behind us. It's time to unite. And we're going to try. We're going to try. We have to try. And it's going to happen. Success will going to try. We have to try and it's going to happen. Success will bring us together. I've seen that. Garrett, the Trump transition team is at work tonight. That's right, Lester. They are interviewing potential cabinet secretaries, vetting people

for jobs across a second Trump administration. Meanwhile, a Trump aide tells us to expect at least one thank you Trump rally for his supporters in the coming weeks. Lester. All right, Garrett Haig, thank you. And late today, Vice President Harris at Howard University, her message to her supporters as she conceded defeat, plus a powerful senator who backed Harris, is speaking out about what he thinks the Harris campaign and the party got wrong. Here's Gabe Gutierrez. She had hoped for a victory speech at her alma mater, but tonight Vice President Harris is conceding after a crushing

defeat. While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign. Speaking to emotional supporters at Howard University in Washington, Harris reflecting on her brief but historic campaign, taking over the Democratic ticket barely three months ago. Look, I am so proud of the race we ran and the way we ran it. Overnight, her planned rally here growing somber as the returns came in. Her remarks postponed. Her supporters stunned. It wasn't shock. It was more just disappointment that this is who we are as a country. She rode a wave of Democratic enthusiasm after President Biden dropped out of the race this summer, touting endorsements from some of the world's biggest celebrities. But tonight,

there are mounting questions about some of Harris's campaign strategies as she faced brutal headwinds. Senator Bernie Sanders writing, it should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party, which has abandoned working class people, would find that the working class has abandoned them. And with exit polls showing three quarters of voters feel dissatisfied or angry about the way things are going in the country today, another debate among Democrats,

did Harris distance herself enough from President Biden or instead spend too much time attacking former President Trump? Donald Trump is even more unstable and more unhinged. And now he wants unchecked power. And did her campaign bank too much on abortion rights, driving up turnout. It is a fight for freedom, like the fundamental freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body. According to NBC News exit polls, just 14 percent of voters ranked abortion as their top issue, all the more devastating for Harris supporters eight years after Hillary Clinton's loss. I'm disappointed. I would have liked to seen a woman get the presidency. I have no answers, no words. I'm just disappointed in us as a nation.

Tonight, Harris's concession speech urging supporters to unify behind the Constitution, if not the president-elect. Now I know folks are feeling and experiencing a range of emotions right now. I get it. But we must accept the results of this election. And Gabe, we've just learned that President Biden has also called President-elect Trump. Yes, Lester, President Biden invited the president-elect to meet at the White House in the near future, something Trump did not do for Biden when he won. Meanwhile, President Biden is expected to address the nation tomorrow about the upcoming transition. Lester.

All right, Gabe Gutierrez, thanks. Let me bring in Tom Yamas. And Tom, Trump's path to victory has evolved over his runs for president. That's right, Lester. And last night, President-elect Trump reshaped the American electorate. And the proof is in the results. Let me show you. With key voting blocs like Latinos, Trump increased his results by 27 percent.

With Asian-American voters, 12 percent. Even younger voters, 13 percent. And we saw this all over the country in places like Miami-Dade County. Let me show you what happened there. This is a county that is majority Hispanic. And just eight years ago, Hillary Clinton won this by 30 points. Last night, Trump flipped the county, winning it by 12. And it just wasn't in Florida. It was all over the map, including in battleground states like Pennsylvania. Let me show you this county right here, Northampton County. This is a bellwether county in Pennsylvania. A quarter

of the voters in Easton, which is the city there, are Hispanic. Biden won it in 2020. Trump was able to flip it. And right now he's on track to win the popular vote, which has not happened since 2004 for a Republican. All right, Tom, thanks very much. Looking forward, just what will a second Trump administration look like, both the people in it and the agenda for it? Let me ask Hallie Jackson here, our chief Washington correspondent. Lester, even with 53 percent of voters saying they have an unfavorable opinion of Donald Trump, he won that second term decisively and has plenty of plans for it. A second Trump term poised to look like his first, controversial from the start,

beginning, he says, with the mass deportations long promised. On day one, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history. But few details on who would deport the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. and whether families would be separated. Multiple members of Mr. Trump's first cabinet in his first term have made the case against another term, casting him as unfit to serve. But as the president elect has remade the GOP in his image, loyal allies likely to stock the inner circle. Marco Rubio, Doug Burgum, Elise Stefanik, according to multiple sources familiar with the transition. Others in the orbit may include immigration hardliner Stephen Miller and MAGA firebrand Steve Bannon. Familiar faces alongside famous ones, including Elon Musk.

Oh, let me tell you, we have a new star. A star is born, Elon. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO becoming a confidant of Mr. Trump's. He doesn't want to be in the guy. He just wants to be in charge of cost-cutting. We'll have a new position, secretary of cost-cutting. Then there's Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist who could end up overseeing health agencies. I'm going to let him go wild on health.

I'm going to let him go wild on the food. I'm going to let him go wild on medicines. Our Vaughn Hilliard with Kennedy today. You say clearing out the corruption in your terms. Would that mean clearing out the top-level federal service workers that are currently at the FDA and the CDC? In some categories, I would say. What does that look like? In some categories of workers, there are entire departments, like the nutrition at FDA that are that have to go that are are not doing their job.

They're not protecting our kids. And Mr. Trump, who's proposed eliminating the Department of Education, has made overhauling the federal government another second term priority. Backed by Vice President elect J.D. Vance, who once said this. Fire every single mid-level bureaucrat, every civil servant in the administrative state. Replace them with our people. And more recently? I did not say fire everyone in the government. I said replace the mid-level bureaucrats with people who are responsive to the administration. The president-elect looking to slap tariffs on imports,

calling into question U.S. support of Ukraine, and promising to once again pull out, calling into question U.S. support of Ukraine and promising to once again pull out of the Paris climate agreement. Political opponents fearing retribution after campaign comments like these. It'll be nasty a little bit at times and maybe at the beginning in particular. But for President-elect Trump. America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate. Soon enough, power once again. Hallie Jackson, NBC News. One of the big factors in Donald Trump's victory, the role of Latino voters,

especially men who helped put him over the top in counties across several states. Stephanie Gosk now with that part of the story. Make America great again. Donald Trump didn't just rely on the vote that got of the story. Make America great again. Donald Trump didn't just rely on the vote that got him into the White House the first time. He expanded it. And a big push came from Latino men. NBC News exit polls show 55 percent of Latino men backed Trump nationwide.

In 2020, it was just 36 percent. First of all, Hispanics love Trump. There are some striking examples, like Starr County, Texas, the most Hispanic county in the country. Trump won there by nearly 16 points. It had gone Democratic every election since 1892. In Pennsylvania, Latinos helped deliver the critical battleground state in multiple counties. What the economy was versus the last four years, they say it's a night and day difference for them. We met Berks County Commissioner Michael Rivera in Redding, a Republican who is half Pennsylvania Dutch, half Puerto Rican.

The values of the Hispanic population, they're more similar to what the values are of the Republican Party. Rivera says Latinos in Redding were more politically engaged than ever this year. population they're more similar to what the values are of the republican party rivera says latinos in reading were more politically engaged than ever this year the city has a latino population of about 68 and votes democratic so it may have been surprising in early june when the trump campaign came here and set up an office surprising that is for people who don't live in reading migrant invasion trump stopped here for a rally in October, and then again the night before Election Day. Commissioner Rivera even taking the stage.

Re-elect President Trump. A final push to drive up the margins over Kamala Harris. Mandate from Latino voters is clear. Focus on the economy. Focus on bringing down prices. Focus on inflation. And with a growing population, there is growing influence on the economy, focus on bringing down prices, focus on inflation. And with a growing population, there is growing influence on the country's politics. We have seen that Latinos are playing this role as a last great wild card in the electorate, and they will only continue to do so. In a tight race, a wild card can make all the difference. Stephanie Gosk, NBC News, Redding, Pennsylvania.

In 60 seconds, now that he is the president-elect, what will happen to all of Donald Trump's legal cases? Laura Jarrett's new reporting right after this. Now that Donald Trump has won back the White House, one of the big questions surrounding his return is what will happen with the multiple criminal cases pending against him. Our senior legal correspondent, Laura Jarrett, explains. President-elect Donald J. Trump. A swift political victory now appearing to pave the way for a legal triumph. NBC News has learned Justice Department officials have been evaluating how to wind down the two federal cases they brought against former President Trump before he returns to the White House, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

We overcame obstacles. A remarkable twist of fate for Mr. Trump, who's been fighting criminal cases across four different jurisdictions since last year. In Washington, charges stemming from his efforts to overturn the last election, while in Florida, accusations he hoarded boxes of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. Both federal cases mired in appeals and delays for months, with no trials on the horizon, as Mr. Trump has vowed to fire the top prosecutor in charge, Special Counsel Jack Smith. I would fire him within two seconds. But Mr. Trump's legal team is now determined to bring a swift end to all criminal prosecutions for good,

buoyed by his new status as president-elect. There's no crime here. Everybody says there's no crime here. The immediate goal? To indefinitely postpone or do away with his sentencing, currently set for November 26 in New York, where a jury found him guilty of orchestrating a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. His election interference case in Georgia remains tied upon appeal over alleged ethical issues surrounding the district attorney. What isn't easily dispensed with? Mr. Trump's civil cases, including that massive fraud judgment against his namesake company,

brought by New York's attorney general. We will continue to stand tall in the face of injustice, revenge, or retribution. Mr. Trump's allies and supporters could also potentially benefit when he retakes the White House, potentially through a presidential pardon, something he has said he would consider for certain January 6th defendants, Lester. OK, Laura, thanks very much. Coming up, the new wildfire emergency in Southern California. We'll go there next. There is breaking news out of Southern California. Multiple wildfires raging, including an explosive inferno that has burned dozens of homes northwest of Los Angeles. Dana Griffin is in the fire zone tonight.

Dana, what are you seeing there? Lester, the National Weather Service had been warning today would be dangerous because of gusty winds up to 50 miles per hour. Their worst fears have come true. Take a look. There are dozens of homes just like this that have burned to the ground. The mountain fire started after 9.30 this morning in Southern California. At this hour, it is still going strong, exploding to more than 10,000 acres. Firefighters working to douse the fast-moving flames fueled by gusty, sporadic winds.

We've seen frantic residents fleeing their homes and first responders evacuating the elderly. Embers are being carried by the wind, starting new fires. Homes going up within minutes. Fire crews are trying to save homes. But this firefight could last into the night. Lester? All right, Dana Griffin, you and your team stay safe. Thank you.

Up next, a moment of reckoning for Democrats. We'll talk with Kristen Welker about a party at a crossroads after losing the White House, the Senate, possibly the House. Democrats tonight taking stock after their decisive defeat in the White House race and Senate races as well. Kristen Welker is here. Kristen, you've been talking to your Democratic sources. What other takeaways are they dealing with? Well, Lester, I have been speaking to multiple lawmakers,

one telling me this is a moment of reckoning, another saying the entire party needs to do some serious soul searching. Democrats are just reeling after Vice President Harris lost not only battleground states, but Trump made dramatic inroads

with suburban voters, Latinos and young men. Trump also made significant gains in solidly blue states like New Jersey. Biden, for example, won Passaic County by 16 points in 2020. Trump flipped it this year. Now, one of these sources also tells me Democrats need to find a better way to address voters concerns when it comes to issues like the economy, immigration. They say Harris didn't spend enough time talking about those critical issues. And there is concern, Lester, that this is not just about the presidential race. There are some critical gubernatorial and down ballot races in the next cycle. And these lawmakers

say if the party doesn't fix this, it could hurt them with those races that are coming up in the next cycle. And these lawmakers say if the party doesn't fix this, it could hurt them with those races that are coming up in the future. Lester, Christine, Kristen, thanks very much. For many of you, coverage is just starting. We'll have more on this historic 2024 presidential race in a moment after a short break. This is NBC Nightly News Decisionision 2024. Live from election headquarters in New York, here is Lester Holt. Welcome back to our special hour-long edition of Nightly News as we go deeper tonight on how Donald Trump won a historic second term as president. His victory, decisive. Late this afternoon, Vice President Harris telling supporters

we must accept the results of this election and engage in a peaceful transition of power. Mr. Trump claiming his victory as a mandate, a big part of that plan overhauling immigration policy. Tom Yamas is here. It was one of the defining issues. And Tom explains how his policy proposals could play out in the next administration. We're going to have to seal up those borders. He made immigration the centerpiece of his campaign. We're like a garbage can for the world. And when he's back in the White House, President-elect Trump has promised to immediately crack down with mass deportations of people in the country illegally. On day one, I will launch

the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out. To do that, Trump has said he'll mobilize the military and local police, but he's offered few specific details on how it will actually work. With 11 million undocumented people living in the U.S., the process would be expensive and complicated. One report puts the price tag at an estimated $88 billion a year to hire new ICE agents, build detention camps, and carry out legal processing. Ron Vitello was acting ICE director during the first Trump administration. I'm sure it's very expensive.

It is something that's worth doing to preserve the rule of law, to order what's going on, the chaos at the southwest border, and to preserve an immigration system that has integrity in the United States. You have to set rules and you have to enforce those rules. Trump says mass deportations are justified by a two centuries old law. But some legal experts on the left say Trump's interpretation is way off. It is not lawful to use this centuries-old statute to deport people. It was for a very specific purpose.

When a foreign government invades this country, that is not what's happening with immigrants here. Trump made immigration a major focus of his first administration with mixed success. He built part of a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico and separated families who crossed illegally. Now, in places like North Carolina, this family lives in fear they could be separated. Jenny's husband, Isabella and Mackenzie's dad, is undocumented. I was afraid that one day they would come home and he wouldn't be here. So he lives in the shadows. The family asks we don't show his face or share his name because they worry he could be deported.

I don't make any trouble. I just go work and coming home. My family is everything for me. Tonight, millions of families bracing for what's next. Tom Yamas, NBC News. And the markets today reacting in a big way to the election. All the major benchmarks hitting record highs after exit polls showed voters have been very unhappy with the state of the economy. Let's get more from Christine Rummans. Well, I want to thank you all

very much. With Donald Trump's return to power, Wall Street likes what it sees. This will truly be the golden age of America. Markets hitting record highs on the promise of a Trump 2.0 economic agenda, expected to include more deregulation and lower taxes. We're going to do the best job. We're going to turn it around. It's got to be turned around. It's got to be turned around fast. And we're going to turn it around. Exit polls show voters sour on the current economy, 68 percent calling it not so good or poor. And 46 percent of voters say their family's financial situation is worse today compared to four years ago. The highest that number has ever been on the NBC News exit poll. Monster gain today. That's despite a series of stock market highs

reached under the Biden administration, wage growth that has outpaced inflation for 20 months, and a historically low unemployment rate. But 22% of voters say inflation has caused a severe hardship for their families in the last year. Another 53% said a moderate hardship. Grocery prices are up 22% over the past four years, and rents are up an average 23%. You know, all that stuff is going through the roof. You know, people tend to pay attention when there's less money in their bank account. Many of Trump's economic proposals would require congressional action. He has vowed to deport millions of immigrants, a potential blow to farming and construction.

He'd cut corporate taxes further and eliminate taxes on tips and Social Security. And he's promised 10 percent tariffs on most U.S. imports, 60 percent on goods from China. To me, the most beautiful word in the dictionary is tariff. And it's my favorite word. It needs a public relations firm. Economists worry that Trump's tariff threats, along with tax cuts and other spending promises, would reignite inflation, which has been falling for two years, and swell the deficit. And, Christy, we've got more economic news coming down the pike. We're going to learn what the Fed's going to do about interest rates. Yeah, Lester, the Fed is expected to lower interest

rates once again when it meets tomorrow. You know, and Trump inherits an economy that is robust, and interest rates, they're falling. The big question now, Lester, is does he respect the independence of the Fed as it tries to finish the job on lowering inflation? All right, Christine, thanks very much. While the presidential race is over, control of Congress remains uncertain. Republicans easily flipped enough seats to take control of the Senate. But Democrats are still holding out hopes in the House. Ryan Nobles with more on what's at stake. Tonight, votes are still being counted, but Republicans could still have a path that leads to complete control of Congress. In the Senate, the GOP took advantage of a map where Democrats were forced to defend eight competitive seats to notch wins in West Virginia, Ohio, and Montana. You are the people that we have to make this economy work

for again. Knocking out long-term incumbents John Tester and Sherrod Brown. We believe if you love this country, you fight for the people who make it work, we always will. A bright spot for Democrats, Tammy Baldwin, who won re-election in Wisconsin, and Alyssa Slotkin, who took Michigan. Right now, the size of the majority for Republicans, though, is the only open question. In the House, Democrats are clinging to hope they can retake the lower chamber. Going into election night, Republicans held a small eight-seat majority and were able to hold seats in places like Pennsylvania while losing seats in New York. Still, Republicans feel confident. We believe in the ideas of faith and family and freedom, and we're trying to live that out every day.

More than half a dozen seats are too close to call, but Democrats would need to run the table in places like California and Arizona to take power. The final result will have a major impact on the agenda of the new incoming Trump administration. If Republicans control both the House and Senate, Trump will have a much easier time moving legislation through Congress. But the size of those majorities will play a big role as well, with Republicans already sending the message that the mandate Trump earned on election night will loom large. People were just not happy with this administration and the Democratic nominee obviously was a part of it. And Ryan, the House could make history of Democrats take control. Yeah, that's right, Lester. If the Democrats do win control of the House of Representatives,

Hakeem Jeffries would be poised to become the first African-American speaker in American history. But there's a long way to go. There's still many votes that need to be counted right now. And Republicans have the advantage as we look to see who ultimately controls the House of Representatives. All right, Ryan Nobles, thank you. One of the key issues in the ballot for millions of Americans, new laws protecting abortion access. NBC News senior legal correspondent Laura Jarrett is here. And Laura, it was on the ballot in 10 states. It was, Lester. So let's start with where it actually passed, starting most specifically in Arizona. Currently has a 15 week ban. But because of this ballot measure, that'll be extended to the point of fetal viability roughly around 24 weeks. The same story in a place like Missouri had a near total ban.

Now goes to fetal viability. Very different story in Florida. Lester currently has a six-week ban on abortion, and it's going to stay that way because they couldn't reach that 60 percent threshold. A supermajority was needed in Florida, unlike other places, so it didn't pass. Same story in South Dakota. Didn't pass there. Nebraska, interesting, Lester, a different story there because there was one ballot amendment that was pro-abortion rights, another one, a counterpoint. At the end of the day, codified roughly around 12 weeks. So we're going to continue to see this patchwork when it comes to abortion rights, Lester. All right, Laura Jarrett, thanks very much. Just two years into his political career, J.D. Vance now finds himself

next in line to be the most powerful position in the world and outlining his vision for the future. Dasha Burns with more on his lightning fast rise into the spotlight. Tonight, J.D. Vance is the vice president-elect and potentially the heir apparent to the MAGA movement. And I think that we just witnessed the greatest political comeback in the history of the United States of America. At 40, Vance will be one of the youngest VPs in history. He's turned out to be a good choice.

A choice pushed by Trump's sons, part of the campaign's strategy to appeal to young, right-leaning men. He's someone who understands that cycle of poverty and addiction. He broke through it. He's living the ultimate American dream. But Vance has come under fire for some of his views, including refusing to back down on baseless comments about migrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. I'm not repeating them because I invented them out of thin air. I'm repeating them because my constituents are saying these things are happening. And these resurfaced comments from 2021. We're effectively run in this country via the Democrats, via our corporate

oligarchs, by a bunch of childless cat ladies. The Ohio native rose to national prominence after writing the bestseller Hillbilly Elegy and underwent a transformation from never Trumper. I'm a never Trump guy. I never liked him. To Trump running mate. I've been to the southern border more than our borders are. Kamala Harris has been. An effective communicator on the trail, Vance, the consummate attack dog, constantly doing interviews. Let's send somebody we can trust. Let's send Donald J. Trump back to the White House. The Senate seat he won two years ago will now need to be filled. While as VP, Vance has said he wants to be, quote, involved in everything. Dasha Burns, NBC News.

Well, the world was certainly watching this historic election. NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Angle is here. You've been talking to sources. We were talking. You call this the biggest story in the world. Oh, it absolutely is. I spoke to multiple sources across Europe, across the Middle East. This is the only thing they are talking about. And people are very divided. They either love President Trump or they hate him. And I think today people are trying to figure out, can they work with him? How can they work with him? But it's not that everybody hates him. As I was saying, there are certain countries in the world, particularly Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Russia, all very pleased that we saw positive comments welcoming him.

And they believe that President Trump can help their agendas. In Western Europe, there are people who are very concerned about Trump, very concerned that he's not a supporter of NATO, worried that he's undermining global democracy. Israel, very happy. War in Gaza. War in Gaza. Prime Minister Netanyahu, effusive in his comments. He's very excited that President Trump has arrived. So I think you're seeing this duality where you have certain part of the world think that he's a disaster,

that he's going to bring this country down and bring the world with him, and other countries that believe that he's transactional, that they've worked with him in the past, and that they can make money together. I know there was concern about Ukraine, what the U.S. commitment would be there and in general in Europe, NATO. I think the war in Ukraine, as we've known it, is probably over at this stage. President Trump has made it very clear that he's not going to continue the same policy of Ukraine. He is not going to continue sending tens of billions of dollars every several months to to keep funding the war. And Ukrainians are starting to come to

terms with that. So I think the war in Ukraine is probably going to be forced into some sort of peace. All right, Richard, thanks very much. Good to have you stateside. All right. Coming up, the red wave across the country, campuses and why some of the nation's youngest voters went for Donald Trump. With both campaigns in this election courting black voters, it was Donald Trump who ended up gaining ground, getting more votes than he did in 2020 in some key battleground states. Shaquille Brewster reports. It's a group of voters that was the focus of both presidential campaigns. I love the black population of this country. I've done so much for the black population of this country.

From visits to black churches to specific policy proposals, President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris repeatedly made direct appeals to African Americans. Something that is critically important is to see Black folks, and in particular Black men, as a whole human being. Across the country on Election Day, Harris received almost the same amount of support from Black voters as President Biden did in 2020. But NBC News exit polls show that Trump made some inroads,

gaining ground among Black voters in North Carolina and more than doubling his support from black voters in Wisconsin. Is it easier to wear that hat here now than it was before? It is. It absolutely is. In Milwaukee, we met 26-year-old small business owner Giovanni Jefferson, who says Trump's message on the economy and immigration stood out to him. The extra money in my pocket aside, I think what is most important is getting that southern border closed down. There's been way too many people. But for many of the voters we talked to after braving early voting lines, it was Harris's message that won them over.

She out there for those that needed her. We ain't need of her. It's different because it's a black woman that's running to be president. The Democratic Party now trying to understand shifts in its core coalition. Both parties invested heavily here in Milwaukee. And while the overall turnout in this Democratic city did increase, it was Donald Trump who earned a few more votes than he did four years ago. Lester. Shaquille, thanks very much. There has been a massive shift in how young people voted this time around, a red wave with many telling our gaudy shorts.

Their decision all came down to an interview Donald Trump gave on the world's most popular podcast. From college campuses to urban voting lines, a sizable shift read from one of the most reliably blue voting blocks. President-elect Trump cutting deeply into first-time voters and the youth vote. There's always a lesser of two evils and the things that he stands for are better than the things that Kamala stands for. According to NBC News exit polls, among first-time voters, Trump carried 56%. That's a 24% bump from the last election. For first-time voting men, Trump's share jumped to 63%. And while Harris underperformed with voters under 30, Trump gained compared to 2020.

The biggest driver for Gen Z? The economy. I believe his plan was really good. And I trust what he did for four years. He did a great job. And I believe he's going to do an even better job for these next four. And in the lines of student voters at universities like Arizona State, one topic came up again and again. Donald Trump's three hour appearance on the popular podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience. Can you imagine Kamala doing this show? I could imagine her doing this show.

I'd be laying on the floor. She was supposed to do it, and she might still do it, and I hope she does. I wouldn't try to interview her. I'd just try to have a conversation with her and hopefully get to know her as a human being. The Harris campaign never sitting down for that interview while Trump and his allies capitalized. But for some students, it made all the difference.

It was mainly the Joe Rogan podcast because, you know, you have the interviewer asking like unbiased questions, real questions that are coming from viewers, and they answer it genuinely heart to heart. Trump also tapping into often politically overlooked but closely knit male networks, UFC fans, sports betting communities, and Elon Musk's 200 million followers. And unlike elections in the past, this time the great technological disruptor wasn't just podcasts or TikToks. It was the legalization of betting market apps that allowed people to put money on Trump and then today cash in on the election. Lester. OK, Gotti Schwartz, thank you. We're back in a moment with the bomb threats

that pause voting in several key states. Was Russia behind it all? While Americans were casting their ballots on Tuesday, a wave of bomb threats disrupted voting in several key battleground states. Tom Winter joins us now. Tom, U.S. intelligence officials are investigating whether there's a Russia connection here. That's right, Lester. The threat started in Georgia and then continued on to key battleground states, impacting seven in total. The FBI investigating the threat, saying many of which appear to originate from Russian email domains. Now, none of the messages were deemed credible, no bombs found. And while some polling places stayed open later, having been temporarily evacuated, there's no indication this impacted the vote.

Tonight, the question for the U.S. intelligence community is whether or not these threats were sent from or on behalf of the Russian government. If so, intelligence experts say it would mark a significant escalation for Russia, moving from an effort not just to sow discord and propaganda, but trying to impact the ability of Americans to vote. All right, Tom, thank you for that. Up next, the Biden factor. We'll look at the president's impact on this election and what it means for his long legacy in politics. The 2024 presidential race began as a rematch that all changed over the summer when President Joe Biden made the unprecedented decision to drop out. But as Kelly O'Donnell tells us, it's this election that could ultimately define his legacy. His name was not on the ballot, but Joe Biden's presidency was on the

line with voters. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. With about 10 weeks left in office, President Biden's record is nearly complete. He entered the White House facing crises caused by COVID. The battle to control the virus, the battle to build prosperity. The White House points to a strong recovery with record job growth. More than 16 million jobs added. But inflation squeezed family budgets, reaching a peak not seen in 40 years, even as inflation steadily declined. Economic distress led to political peril. We have to bring pressures down further. Exit polls showing 45 percent of voters strongly disapproved of his handling of the job as president. The Biden era is also about bipartisan wins. Laws passed that rebuild infrastructure, roads and bridges and more

increase U.S. based semiconductor production, invest in climate protections and lower the price of prescription drugs. A record he shared with Kamala Harris as vice president. But a potent mix of bad poll numbers and a poor debate performance led to his late exit from the race. I've made a lot of mistakes in my career, but I gave my best to you. Tomorrow, President Biden is expected to make his first public comments about the handover of power. Kelly O'Donnell, NBC News. And that is nightly news for this Wednesday. Thank you for watching. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night.