NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Saturday, October 18, 2025

Episode Date: October 19, 2025

Massive crowds take to streets to protest Trump administration; Trump posts new video of U.S. strike on ‘drug-carrying submarine’; Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado speaks out against Maduro regime; and more on tonight’s broadcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tonight the massive protests against the Trump administration, hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets, from small towns to big cities to voice their frustration with the White House. Crowds joining the No King's movement. We're live on the ground with our team fanning out coast to coast, what people are saying motivated them to come out. President Trump posting new video of a U.S. strike in the Caribbean as we go one-on-one with Maria Corina Machia.

Venezuela's opposition leader who just won the Nobel Peace Prize, what she says is happening inside Venezuela as the regime faces growing pressure from the U.S. The escalating dispute over the opening of a critical entry point for aid into Gaza as Israel pushes Hamas to hand over the bodies of hostages. An NBC News exclusive, Ukrainian President Zelensky with our Kristen Welker, what he did not get from his high stakes meeting with President Trump and why. why he's still holding out hope. George Santos, now a free man, after President Trump commuted his sentence, the behind-the-scenes

effort to get his release and reaction from his alleged victims. Panic in the sky, a fire breaking out mid-flight, the overhead compartment bursting into flames, but how did it start? And there's good news tonight about a massive show of support for this young man and an extra dose of kindness when he needed it the most. This is NBC Nightly News with Jose Diaz Ballard. Good evening, massive groups of protesters gathered in cities and towns across the country today, part of a day of so-called No King's demonstrations protesting the Trump administration.

Organizers behind the No King's movement say it's about democracy versus dictatorship. Today, protests happened against the background of the ongoing government shutdown. The Trump administration and some Republicans warned the demonstrations could be unsafe, even placing the National Guard on standby in some states. But the gatherings, which in some cities included several thousand people, remained largely peaceful. Adrian Broadens leads us off tonight from Chicago, a city that's pushed back hard against some of the administration's latest efforts. across the country in major cities

and small towns hundreds of thousands gathering at no king's demonstrations rallying against the Trump administration the rule of law is this being destroyed thousands of people taking over the streets of downtown Chicago many of them motivated by various factors but the common thread their defiance against the Trump administration policies Do you feel you've been profiled?

Absolutely, absolutely. Because how I look, you know, I'm Mexican America for a generation, but I served 30 in the military. ICE is in our neighborhood, literally, snatching people off the streets. No King's organizer said more than 2,500 rallies were planned, with millions expected to participate. Huge crowds turning out in Boston, Miami, Buffalo, and more. I'm 90 years old, and I've never seen my country. in this condition. What values are at the top of your mind as you protest today?

Access to abortion, pro-choice movement, LGBTQ plus rights. Ryan Chandler is on the ground in Austin. Here in Austin, Governor Abbott mobilizing the National Guard to watch for any unrest as more than 10,000 peaceful protesters marched from the Texas Capitol. One of the biggest protests happening in President Trump's backyard, Melanie Zanona is in D.C. And organizers tell me over 200,000 people showed up for the rally. near the National Mall. And one thing top of mind for many here,

the decimation of the federal workforce. Scientists Bill Nye says that decimation leaves us all vulnerable. Cutting the budget, especially to NASA, is thoughtless. The demonstrations, even spreading beyond the states with rallies overseas.

Not only us in the United States across the world. We're all in trouble. President Trump and his administration addressed the No King's movement this week. They're referring to me as a kid. king. I'm not a king. Obviously, everyone's letting the protests. It's what America's all about is proving that there isn't a king, right? Earlier this year, the White House posted an artistic image of Trump

and a crown, writing, quote, long-lived the king. But today, thousands of protesters sending a message to the president. Adrian joins me now. Adrian, there had been warnings from some Republicans that these protests could turn violent. What did you see today? Jose, across the country, we saw large crowds, few incidents here in Chicago. Protesters marched to Trump Tower, which is behind me. Police are still compiling data to determine how many people participated. But so far, no reported arrests.

And in New York City, the NYPD says more than 100,000 people showed up. And the police, their say, they made zero protest-related arrest. Jose? Adrian brought us in Chicago tonight. Thank you. President Trump posted new video of a U.S. attack this week on a vessel in the Caribbean that he says was on a mission to smuggle illegal narcotics into the U.S. Amish Alcindor joins me from the White House and Amish were learning more about the two survivors of that strike. Certainly today, President Trump said that the United States is repatriating two alleged drug traffickers to Colombia and Ecuador after U.S. military forces attacked their vessel in the Caribbean on Thursday.

And tonight, the President of Columbia said one of the alleged traffickers is now in Colombian custody and that he would be processed in accordance with the laws. President Trump also shared video of the strike on the submarine that he says was carrying a large amount of fentanyl. He said the attack killed two people on board the vessel while two others survived. This was at least the fifth strike that Trump administration has carried out in international waters against alleged drunk traffickers. Critics have argued the strikes are illegal and circumvent due process laws, but President Trump has vowed to. continue them. Jose? Yemich Alcindor at the White House, thank you. Those strikes are part of a growing pressure campaign against the Maduro regime by the White House. I spoke with Venezuela's main

opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, who just received a Nobel Peace Prize about those military operations and Venezuela's future. What is your reaction to the Trump administration's policy of striking vessels reportedly leaving Venezuela instead of intercepting them? Well, I am not going to get involved into an operation and a decision of the President of United States to defend their own national security. What we have said and we have demanded for years is that the international community helped the Venezuelan people by cutting the flows of criminal money that is used by Maduro for corruption, for repression, persecution, and also to amplify its criminal activities.

This, as President Trump confirmed, he has authorized the CIA to operate inside Venezuela. What do you make of that? Well, once again, I cannot speculate. President Trump has made decisions regarding the dismantling of a narcotauri structure. And I want to insist on this. It was Maduro who declared the war

on us. It is on Maduro to stop this war by moving out and facilitating a transition to democracy. We do need the help of other countries and the leadership of President Trump to stop this war because it is about saving millions of lives. How can Venezuela emerge from this? Venezuela is the most cohesive society, even though our country has been destroyed, our institutions, are, you know, private sector, family separated, 86% of Venezuela living poverty. Imagine that, you know, the country that has the largest old reserves in the world. But we are ready to put our country back on our feet

and to turn Venezuela from the criminal hub of the Americas into the energy hub of the Americas. And you will see millions of our migrants finally coming back home And as soon as Maduro goes, and this regime goes, we will fight for democracy in Cuba and in Nicaragua. And for the first time in history, we will have the Americans free of communism and dictatorship and narco-terrorism. And yet, as you and I speak, you are in hiding in your country. Your family has been forced to leave. Many of your supporters are in political prison.

others have been forcibly disappeared. How do you survive this? It has been very, very difficult. I have spent 14 months in isolation without seeing anyone, hugging, touching anyone. These are hours of terror in Venezuela, but also hours of courage and light. But I am so hopeful and so convinced because, you know, this new hope, this new energy, this new enthusiasm, has been growing in our country, and we are prepared. And you will see when the day comes, millions of Venezuelans come into the streets to celebrate and to work really hard to rebuild a proud and prosperous nation. Maria Corina Machado, I thank you so much for being with us on NBC News.

Now to the Middle East on the Rafa border crossing, which sits between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. largely been closed since May of 2024, and now there is a dispute over when the critical lifeline for the people of Gaza will reopen. Danielle Hamamjian joins me now to explain. Danielle. Jose, as part of the ceasefire deal,

Israel was supposed to reopen the Rafa border earlier this week, but that didn't happen. The reason, it said Hamas had failed to return the bodies of all the dead hostages. Now, today, conflicting reports. The Palestinian embassy in Egypt announced the border would reopen on Monday, but shortly after, Benjamin Netanyahu's office said it would remain

closed until further notice. There are still 18 dead hostages left in Gaza, with more handed over tonight and awaiting identification. Hamas calls the decision to prevent the opening a flagrant violation of the terms of the ceasefire. The reopening of the Gaza border is critical for more aid to come in and for the sick and wounded to come out. Jose. Danielle, Hamajin, thank you. So much. And now to the war in Ukraine in our exclusive interview with Ukrainian President Zelensky. He spoke with Meet the Press moderator, Kristen Welker, striking a hopeful tone after his meeting with President Trump at the White House on Friday. He did not seal an agreement to obtain long-range tomahawk missiles, which could be a game changer in the war, but he suggested that could happen down the line.

I think that Putin in the fridge that the United States will deliver us to Mahogues. and I think that he really afraid that we will use and he knows what military goals we know where they are where there are military goals of Russia and he afraid that we can use it and you can see Kristen's full exclusive interview with President Zelensky tomorrow on Meet the Press former congressman George Santos is free tonight

after his federal prison sentence for wire fraud and identity theft was commuted by President Trump The reaction tonight is swift and divided. Stephen Romo reports. It was around 11 o'clock Friday night, according to his attorney, that former U.S. Congressman George Santos walked out of this New Jersey federal prison, a free man. I'm going to fight my battle. His more than seven-year sentence commuted by President Trump,

Santos was convicted of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Following those convictions, Santos saying this, I know that my actions have caused disappointment, frustration, and a loss of faith in me, and for that I'm truly sorry. But back in July, one day before he started serving his sentence, he posted to social media, I may be leaving the stage for now, but trust me, legends never truly exit. Thanks to President Trump, Santos hasn't just been freed from prison. According to an image of the document posted online, the commutation also orders no further fines, restitution, probation,

supervised release, or other conditions. As part of his punishment, Santos had been ordered to pay more than $370,000 in restitution to his victims. Navy veteran Richard Osthoff says Santos refused to hand money over to him

raised online for his dog surgery. Allegations Santos has denied and they were not part of his federal convictions. What went through your mind when you heard that Santos was freed? I feel like I got stabbed in the gut by the President of the United States. Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green,

who served with Santos in the House celebrating the release which she lobbied President Trump for. Green posting, I believe in second chances, because we are all sinners. There are no exceptions. Tonight, his attorney saying Santos is with his family, decompressing, and getting reacquainted. Stephen Romo, NBC News, New York.

So we had tonight chaos in the middle of the flight as a fire breaks out on board. Take a look at that. Plus Taylor Swift's life-changing donation for a young fan with cancer. We're back with a terrifying incident on a flight that was forced to divert after an overhead compartment burst into flames.

This Croix has more. Tonight, chaos on an air China flight after a fire, sparked by a lithium battery, broke out mid-air, according to the airline. You can see the flames coming out of this carry-up on bag in an overhead compartment, smoke filling the cabin, and then flight attendants quickly responding. The flight from Hungzhou China to Seoul Saturday was diverted to Shanghai. Air China saying in a statement, the battery spontaneously combusted, adding that no one was injured.

This just the latest terrifying battery fire on airplanes. In January, a portable power bank was believed to have started the fire that engulfed this Air Busan plane and injured seven people. And look at this video from 2023. Flight crew poured water on a carry-on backpack after a battery caught fire while boarding. Experts say lithium-ion batteries can overheat and go into what's called thermal runaway. It's why the FAA doesn't allow them in checked luggage. And why Southwest recently became the first U.S. airline to require passengers keep power banks and portable charging devices in plain sight while in use during a flight. Do you think we're going to be seeing more restrictions on lithium ion batteries moving forward? I hope so. We're seeing some of the overseas carriers say you cannot use these charging banks

on the airplane. I think that that may very well find its way into the U.S. An expert say that cheaply made devices, like often ones that are handed out for free or devices that have been dropped or damaged are most at risk of igniting. Jose. Leroyitz, thank you. Back now with an alarming scene at the University of Cincinnati after a balcony collapse, heard at least 10 people in an off-campus housing complex. Officials say most were minor injuries, but one person is critically injured.

Most of the victims are believed to be students. Pretty incredible news from Taylor Swift tonight after she quietly donated $100,000 to the parents of a two-year-old girl named Lila who is battling stage for cancer. Lila's mom has been sharing their story on social media and posted this video of her daughter watching one of Swift's music videos

before the donation was made. Swift wrote that she's sending a hug to her friend Lila when she made that donation. And Lila is a pretty big fan too. When we come back, there's good news tonight about a ride to remember. And the act of kindness this young man got when he needed it most.

There's good news tonight. So often, the good news doesn't get as much attention as the bad. So every Saturday, we highlight. the many people who spread joy and love, and these are just some of those stories this week. In Southern California, a homecoming for a hero. That's U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Jason Pacheco and his family, getting a warm welcome to what will soon be their new home. This is a place I'm going to call for the rest of my life. This four-bedroom house in Fallbrook is from the Gary Seneese Foundation, designed for Jason's needs

when he's in his wheelchair. A lot of hugs and a few tears and written messages like these to thank him for his service and build a foundation of love. It's actually like super awesome to be part of something as beautiful as it is and be able to really appreciate all those names

and the time that they took to build a house and to take the time to write a message to me and my family. It's really special. Is that my chicken? Hi, baby. Oh, there it is. That's U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Tara Cummins,

reunited with her best friend, the Air Force K-9 Erica, at their San Antonio home. Yeah, I can't get you. I know. You're so excited. They were partners for years, but were separated when Tara got reassigned. But when Erica was retired,

Tara reached out to the American human. Maine Society to adopt her. And on Long Island, New York, a ride to remember. Oh, my God, look how many people! More than 100 teen riders showing up to support 15-year-old Tyler Roche Tilden after he was bullied and needed an extra boost of kindness. That's when Darnell Meyers, a long time. rider with an online following brought him all these new friends and get this he also worked

with a bike store to give Tyler a new one for his mom gina Moskato that moment meant the the world Gina tell me a little bit about what it was like to see all these people showing solidarity and love for this extraordinary young man. It just felt like I was in a dream and, or in like a movie, like this stuff doesn't happen in everyday life. I see him smiling and excited and so happy in the moment. It was amazing. A reminder that kindness can go a long way.

It might not be easy to do the right thing and be kind, but you can do it and it. It's worth it. It's a real superpower. That's NBC Nightly News for this Saturday. Hallie Jackson will be here tomorrow night. I'm Jose D. Asbal Art. Thank you for the privilege of your time. And good night.