NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Thursday, April 9, 2026

Episode Date: April 10, 2026

First lady denies ties to Jeffrey Epstein; Strikes continue in Middle East amid fragile ceasefire; Husband arrested after wife goes missing in the Bahamas, 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, First Lady Melania Trump speaking out with a rare and surprisingly public announcement at the White House, denying any knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes and calling for a public hearing with Epstein survivors. The First Lady reading an extraordinary statement denying any relationship with Epstein, but adding that Epstein, quote, was not alone. The First Lady also saying she was not a victim and responding to what she says are smears. The big question tonight, why is she now saying this? The Iran sees fire in trouble as Israel launches more attacks on Lebanon, why President Trump told NBC News he's optimistic about the deal. Arrested in the Bahamas, the husband of a mother who went overboard,

now in custody as the U.S. Coast Guard opens a criminal investigation into her disappearance, what our correspondent is learning on the ground there. NBC News exclusive are Kristen Welker, inside of Cuba with the first American TV interview with Cuba's leader in years. An incredible rescue caught on camera, a miner found alive hundreds of feet underground after he was trapped in water for nearly two weeks. Look at this wild video of two women fighting off a gang of jewelry thieves during a robbery in New Jersey. The NFL now under investigation by the Justice Department is the league forcing fans to pay too much across multiple.

streaming services to watch games. And there's good news tonight. It's never too late. The 60-year-old college freshman about to set a record as the oldest player on the field. This grandpa is not afraid to hit. Nightly News starts right now. This is NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas. And good evening. It was a stunning moment at the White House today when First Lady Melania Trump issued a rare and unexpected public statement. saying she never had a relationship with Jeffrey Epstein or his accomplice, Galane Maxwell. The First Lady speaking behind a podium at the White House earlier this afternoon, marking the first time she spoke on camera about the Epstein controversy.

In that statement, she denied having any knowledge of Epstein's crimes, said she was not a victim of his, and blasted what she said were smears about her, referring to images and statements about her on social media. The First Lady notably taking a sensitive and complicated story head on after the White House has tried to avoid the Epstein controversy for months. But tonight, it's unclear what prompted the First Lady's statement in the first place or why she's speaking out now. Our Garrett Hake starts us off from the White House. Tonight, Melania Trump with a surprise announcement breaking her silence on Jeffrey Epstein. The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein.

need to end today. The first lady speaking publicly for the first time about the convicted sex offender, categorically denying any knowledge of or involvement in Epstein's crimes and saying they had only a distant social connection. Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time, since overlapping in social circles is common. Mrs. Trump and her team worked aggressively behind the scenes over the last year to knock down what they saw as false or defamatory news stories and rumors connecting her to Epstein, earning retractions from some media outlets. I am not Epstein's victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I was not a participant, was never on Epstein's plane, and never visited his private island.

Melania Trump's name is mentioned more than a hundred times in the Epstein files released by the DOJ, which also include this email she sent to Epstein accomplice Galane Maxwell in 2002, complimenting Epstein and Maxwell on a flattering magazine story and inviting Maxwell to call her in New York. My email replied to Maxwell cannot be catarized as anything more than casual correspondence. Mrs. Trump concluding with a call for Epstein's survivors to be given a full and open congressional hearing to tell their stories. Then and only then we will have the truth. Thank you. All right, Garrett Hake joins us now live from the White House. And Garrett, what has the response been from Epstein survivors? Well, Tom, just a short time ago, we got a statement from a group of more than a dozen survivors who are saying that being asked to testify now is a, quote, deflection of responsibility.

say the focus should be on forcing now former Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify to Congress instead. Tom? Okay, Garrett, we thank you for that. We want to head overseas now because there are new strikes rocking the Middle East, threatening that fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. Stephanie, Gossk is in Tel Aviv tonight for us live. And Stephanie, you just heard bomb sirens for the first time since the ceasefire began? Yeah, we did, Tom. And the Israeli media is saying it's rocket fire from Hezbollah. That's the Iran-backed militia. in Lebanon. Israel's military continues to attack Hezbollah tonight, but not on the scale that we saw it yesterday where more than 300 people were killed, according to Lebanese health officials.

Israel's defense minister says many of those people were actually members of Hezbollah. Leaders in Iran insist that Lebanon is an inseparable part of this ceasefire deal, even though the United States and Israel dispute that. All of this, while the Strait of Hormuz remains basically, Please shut down. All sides getting ready for those talks in Pakistan, Tom. All right, Stephanie, Goss for us. Stephanie, we thank you for that. The husband of a woman missing in the Bahamas has been arrested and is now being questioned by authorities. Five days after he said she fell off their boat, George Relies, is in the Bahamas for us. The husband of an American woman missing in the Bahamas in custody tonight.

Brian Hooker arrested in connection with the disappearance of his wife Lynette, missing now for five days. Police say Mr. Hooker told him his wife Lynette fell overboard Saturday. when they were traveling in an eight-foot dingy from Hope Town to Elbow Key, strong currents sweeping her away. They had been chronicling their life on the water on social media. But Lynette's daughter tells us their relationship was volatile and expressed suspicions before the arrest. Do you believe this was an accident?

I feel like this was probably pre-planned, if anything. Like, it doesn't seem like just some accident. Today, Lynette Hooker's mother told the Associated Press she was glad to hear about the arrest. What is he said in response to the allegations made by his stepdaughter? He has denied the allegations and he is anxious to defend himself. Hooker's attorney also telling NBC News, Mr. Hooker categorically and unequivocally denies any wrongdoing, and he has been cooperating with authorities.

The couple has been married for more than two decades. In 2015, police responded to an incident involving the couple where they accused each other of assault. According to the police report, Brian had visible injuries. Lynette was arrested, but a warrant was later denied over insufficient evidence as to who started the assault. Today, our drone capturing the couple's boat's soulmate now docked in this harbor. The U.S. Coast Guard confirming they're also conducting a criminal investigation into the disappearance of Ms. Hooker. So, George, what else did Brian Hooker's attorney tell you about what happened before his arrest? Yeah, Tom, she tells me that Brian Hooker actually retained her services prior to his arrest and that he was actually planning

on going on another rescue mission to try and find his wife. She tells me the next line of questioning that he faces could determine whether any charges are brought forth or whether he set free. Tom? George Solis for us. And for the first time tonight, we are hearing an incredible story. It was a terrifying terror attack at an American university, a gunman opening fire at a group of military cadets at Old Dominion. It could have been a far deadlier incident, except that those brave cadets took down the shooter themselves, and they are speaking out now. Here's Ryan Nobles. He's shooting shots.

Tonight, for the first time, the ROTC cadets inside the classroom at Old Dominion University, when a man burst into the room and opened fire are speaking out. Nervously says, you know, is this ROTC or is a seminar? Eight of the cadets recounting their story as part of a video released by the Army, describing in chilling detail the moment the shooter, Mohamed Baylor Jala burst into the room. He pulled out his gun and shouted Allahua Akbar and began shooting initially at the direction of Lieutenant Colonel Shaw.

The shooter, Jala, was killed in the incident. Cadet Louis Ancetta was grazed by a bullet, but still went after the shooter. It felt like a graze. After that, I'm like, I can keep on going. so Colonel Shaw finally turns him around. So then after that, I'm like, I'm ready. So I just go in there, just start stabbing him. As I'm stabbing him, other cadets jump in.

The leader of the class, Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shaw was killed as he attempted to subdue Jala. If he didn't lunge at him, you know, I wouldn't be here right now. You know, there's a possibility he could have turned his gun and I could have been next. And with that, Ryan joins us now here in studio. And Ryan, one of the cadets is now being honored. Yeah, that's right. Colonel, I'm sorry, cadet, Louis Ancetta, who was hit by a bullet but survived, was honored with a Purple Heart and a Meritorious Service Medal for his actions on that day.

Probably save some lives, Tom. Of course he did. Ryan Nobles, we thank and good to see you here in New York. Now, to our NBC News exclusive, meet the press moderator, Kristen Welker, sat down today with Cuba's leader Miguel Diaz-Cannel in Havana. it is rare for the leader of the communist country to grant any type of interview. Kristen asked him about the historic standoff between the U.S. and Cuba after the U.S. imposed an oil blockade in January and Cuba's continued imprisonment of political prisoners.

Here's a portion of that interview. Would you be willing to step down if it meant saving Cuba? Is it disposed to demitier with tal de salvar a Cuba? You are a very important. If you're not a question, have you ever asked that question to any other president in the world? Because one of the conditions the United States is asking for, would you ever consider that? Let me explain. Have you asked that question to any other president in the world?

I asked a very tough question to any other president in the world. Could you ask that question to Trump? I have a very hard question to President Trump. Is that a question from you or is that coming from the State Department of the U.S. government? question is because it's one of the things that we've heard the U.S. government talk about, that they want political change here in Cuba. So my question for you, if they asked you, if they said this is one condition, would you step down? Because of your honesty, I'm going to assume that you're asking that question because of those reasons.

In Cuba, the people who are in leadership position is not elected by the U.S. government, and they don't have a mandate from the U.S. government. I also press President Diaz Canal on the changes the United States says are necessary in order to normalize relations with Cuba, including releasing political prisoners, holding multi-party elections and creating a free press. He was not willing to commit to any of those demands. Tom. Kristen, welcome for us, and you can see much more of Christian's interview with Miguel Diaz-Canel Sunday on Meet the Press.

All right, tonight, the Artemis Astronauts, are speeding towards Earth for their risky re-entry and splash landing tomorrow. Already U.S. naval ships are standing by off San Diego to pick them up. Tom Costello tonight with the final preparations. Picking up speed as Orion races towards Earth. The four astronauts are tonight packing and preparing for tomorrow's fiery re-entry. As NASA releases more high-res jaw-dropping photos of the moon, the mission, and a new time lapse of the solar eclipse. It's really hard out here.

We're a long way from home. We've been learning the entire journey. Meanwhile, in the splashdown zone off the coast of San Diego, the USS John P. Murtha and naval teams already in position. A primary mission is to recover the astronauts from the capsule once it splashes down in San Diego. Orion will come screaming back to Earth at 25,000 miles per hour. The ship's heat shield climbing to 5,000 degrees, half the temperature of the sun. At 22,000 feet, the first parachutes will deploy, slowing a rhyme from 25,000 down to 20 miles per hour and a safe splashdown in the Pacific off San Diego, where those Navy divers will fast approach. Lieutenant Commander, Dr. Jesse Wang's team will evaluate the astronauts on the ship.

We do expect them to have some symptoms for being in space for 10 days, most commonly nausea, a little bit of vertigo or just equilibrium. But first, NASA needs to bring the crew home. All of it depends on the final minutes of flight, and tomorrow the crew is going to put their lives behind that confidence. And historic 10-day mission now nearing an end. Tom? And we'll have complete coverage of Artemis's return to Earth tomorrow on nightly news at 8 p.m. Eastern right here on NBC. When we return in just 60 seconds after 14 long days in the dark in a flooded tunnel, the incredible rescue of this minor will show you how it plays out and how Cruz brought him out. That's next. We're back now with a story of survival.

Deep inside a Mexican mine, rescue were saving a worker trapped underground for 14 days. Morgan Chesky takes us inside the moment of relief when teams found him alive in high water. Standing shirtless in waste deep water deep below ground. This video released by Mexican authorities captures a miner's stunning rescue. It shows army divers thanking Francisco Zapata Nehara. His face blurred in this just-released video. Rescuers following his flashlight down a flooded tunnel to find the 42-year-old alive. The massive effort coming two weeks after a nearby dam failed, flooding a mine in a rugged area of Sinaloa, Mexico.

The surge of water trapping four miners and launching a complex search. Crews locating the first worker overnight on day five, later finding another who did not survive. Finally, after more than 300 hours searching, Zapata Neheda's flashlight acting as a beacon, telling rescuers he never lost faith. Cheers went up Wednesday. Crews emerging with a determined survivor wrapped in a blanket before being airlifted to a hospital. Mexico's president calling the rescue astonishing, adding she's certain all Mexicans hold Zapatana Hedda in their hearts. And tonight, authorities in Mexico say that they're still searching for one more missing minor and are hopeful he's still alive. Tom. All right, Morgan, thank you. We're back in a moment with the dramatic

robbery caught on camera, two people fighting back even trying to stop the getaway car. Plus, why the NFL is now under investigation by the Justice Department. We'll explain that's next. We're back now with the NFL, now under investigation by the Justice Department. The DOJ is looking into whether the NFL is forcing football fans to pay too much money in subscription fees. According to two sources familiar with the investigation. Now, this comes as the NFL has been airing games on more streaming platforms. The NFL says in a statement, 87% of its games are free and that games are always free in the markets of the competing teams. We've also got new video of a car slamming into a school bus. Look how weird this is just after students got on board.

Here you can see those kids getting on. But then the car. hits the bus immediately after it pauses. It backs up and then drives away. Police in Hattiesburg, Mississippi here where it happened are asking for the public's help to identify that driver you see right there. And look at this wild video of a jewelry store robbery in New Jersey. You can see the gang of thieves smashing the windows and running in and taking all the jewelry from a store owned by a mother and daughter. Well, two people run out from the back and try to stop them. One of them even trying to take the hammer out of the thief's hands. You're going to see it right here. Then outside the suspects escaping from the front window as the two people chase after them and try to take that jewelry back and try to stop their getaway car.

To police say they are still searching for those suspects tonight. All right, when we come back tonight here on nightly news, meet the 60-year-old freshman suiting up for spring practice as he tries to become the oldest college football player ever at the school of Hard Knocks. That's next. Finally, there's good news tonight, a Maryland man working to become the oldest college football player. player in the country and this grandpa can hit walking onto the team at the age of 60. This is the McDaniel College football team running drills at an early morning spring practice. Like that good. In the middle of it all, number 72, freshman Pollyside Major Tom Green, who happens to be 60 years old.

The defensive tackle out there keeping up with players. one-third his age. My son is 34. I think he's the same age as a coach. Green always dreamed of playing college football. I wanted to go to school here back in 85. But life had other plans. For the youngest of 12 siblings, college wasn't in the cards. He went to work and spent decades building a business and a family.

Then came a stage four cancer diagnosis. A tumor throughout my body, you know, wonderful miracle that, you know, that I'm even here. It was a wake-up call, and he beat cancer. Now, he's out to beat a different record on a mission to become the oldest college football player in the country. I'm going to be 61 in June, so, you know, I'm going to be tying that record. He joined the team as a walk-on and is also a full-time student. He says he's bonded with his teammates and picked up a thing or two from them as well. What they're teaching me is a lot of new words.

All part of a new effort. tackling a dream decades in the making. All right, that's nightly news for this Thursday. I'm Tom Yamas. Thanks so much for watching tonight. And always, we're here for you. Good night.