NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Thursday, August 14, 2025

Episode Date: August 15, 2025

President Trump and Russian Leader Putin to meet in high-stakes summit Friday; Ukrainians skeptical fair deal will be reached during Trump-Putin meeting; More federal agents and National Guard troops patrolling DC; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, we're live in Alaska on the eve of the historic summit. Can President Trump and Vladimir Putin find a path to peace in Ukraine? In just 24 hours, the president said to meet with Putin right here in Anchorage. The president tempering expectations about what can be accomplished, saying he wants to set the table for the next meeting. Both leaders arriving tomorrow, President Putin's first visit to American soil in a decade. Can they find common ground? As Ukraine's leader pleads for President Trump, not to be fooled. Drones of war, Richard Engel, inside a command center, hidden in a garage as the toll of battle hits home in Ukraine, while Ukrainians say they're still willing to pay the ultimate price for their homeland.

In Washington, the National Guard's 24-7 crackdown, soldiers posted across iconic parts of the Capitol, and the checkpoint infuriating neighbors stopping every car that came through. Plus the man throwing a sandwich at a CBP officer. Now he's been fired by the DOJ. The latest on Tropical Storm Aaron on track to become a hurricane and possibly a major hurricane by the weekend. Wildfire season, the dramatic blaze that kicked up overnight spurring evacuations. Chaos on a breeze flight.

The passenger accused of hurling slurs and brandishing a skateboard now in court on federal charges, how one big football player jumped in to stop him. Nightly News starts right now. This is NBC Nightly News. Reporting tonight from Alaska, here is Tom Yamas. And good evening. We are coming to you live tonight from Alaska's largest city, Anchorage, one with incredible

scenery, and tonight, incredible importance. It is right here where President Trump begins a bold move towards peace. In less than 24 hours, the president will host Russian leader Vladimir Putin, far from where we are tonight. And we have new reporting about the high-stakes summit to end this war in Ukraine. Here's what we know at this hour. The summit will be held at Joint Base Elmendorf. The White House says the two leaders will come together in the afternoon than a lunch with the wider delegations. For the Americans, President Trump will be joined by special envoy Steve Whitkoff and Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio. For the Russians, Putin will be

joined by several top advisors, including his foreign and defense ministers. Following that meeting, we are expecting a joint news conference with both President Trump and Putin attendee. It is not yet clear if both leaders will take questions. And tonight, as violent strikes are ongoing in both Russia and Ukraine, that cost of war continuing to climb. Look at this. Russia is seeing roughly 250,000 deaths and close to 1 million casualties. And Ukraine seen between 60 to 100. thousand deaths. Russia's advanced significant over the past three years, but this summer, not as far as Putin has wanted. We have full team coverage from Harkiv Ukraine to Anchorage, which is where we

start tonight with Garrett Hake. Tonight, President Trump in the final countdown to Friday's high-stakes summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. We have a big meeting. It's going to be, I think, very important for Russia. It's going to be very important for us. The president lowering expectations for Ukraine's ceasefire breakthrough during the talks tomorrow. But suggesting broader negotiations for peace could begin soon after. All I want to do is set the table for the next meeting, which should happen shortly. I'd like to see it actually happen maybe in Alaska where we just stay because it's so much easier. The Friday summit will be held on a U.S. military base just outside of Anchorage, marking Putin's first steps on U.S. soil since attending the U.N. General Assembly in

2015. The White House says the afternoon will include a private meeting between the two presidents, then a lunch with their larger teams, followed by a press conference. It's not yet clear if both presidents will take questions. Ukraine's President Zelensky will not attend, but President Trump affirming today he hopes to involve him quickly afterwards. We're going to have a meeting with President Putin, President Zelensky, myself, and maybe we'll bring some of the European leaders along, maybe not. I think President Putin will make. peace. I think President Zelensky will make peace. Zelensky, returning to Ukraine today from London after a series of meetings with European

leaders, including the British Prime Minister. Putin meeting with his advisors in Moscow today, praising what he called the, quote, quite energetic and sincere American efforts to end the war. President Trump and Putin have spoken several times by phone this year, but haven't met in person since 2019. At a 2018 summit in Helsinki, Finland, the two met for more than two hours behind closed doors. President Trump pressed about U.S. intelligence agency's assessment of Russian meddling in the 2016 election criticized later for seeming to accept Putin's denials. They said they think it's Russia. I have President Putin. He just said it's not Russia. I will say

this. I don't see any reason why it would be. Alaskans we met say they're paying close attention to this summit. After all, for them, Russia is no far off threat. At its closest point, just 55 miles across the Bering Strait, far closer than the rest of the United States. Honestly, it seems like he has a pretty decent expectation of the relationship that they have leader to leader. I'm not a Trump voter, but that doesn't mean that I'm not rooting to see the death stop. You've got to root for him. And Garrett joins us now live here in Anchorage, Garrett, Ukraine, and its European allies

are on the outside looking in. And tonight, there are real worries. Yeah, that's right, Tom. They've long been concerned that the president would make concessions to Russia that they couldn't stomach, but five sources say the president has told European leaders he at least won't discuss possible divisions of territory in this meeting tomorrow. All right, Garrett, hey, great to have you here in Anchorage. The stakes of the Trump-Puton meeting couldn't be any higher for the people of Ukraine who have lived through more than three

years of war. Richard Engel tonight is there for us. Sometimes what you find accidentally is the most revealing. Today on the outskirts of Harkiv, we came across a funeral for a Ukrainian soldier killed in a recent Russian attack. They allowed us to film this painful, intimate moment, usually out of sight. Ukraine doesn't like to show its military losses. The soldier's mother grieved, barely able to stand. Her son, Andri Rischetilov, only recently drafted and sent to the front lines, leaves behind two children. I wondered what these people think about a potential ceasefire.

The soldier's older brother, Artem, also serving, agreed to speak for everyone. How are you feeling about the war and peace talks and where all of this is going? We don't have to compromise with the enemy and give up our beloved land because this enemy won't stop and will return even stronger, he said. So even now, as your family is making the ultimate sacrifice, you think there should be no compromise, shouldn't give up any land in exchange for a cease? fire or some sort of beast deal. Yes, he said, because we know Russia and they never keep agreements. The ceremony was over quickly, perhaps because there was a line. And even as one funeral is wrapping up, another one is about to begin right next to where

the last soldier was buried, another body is going in. All the graves marked with flags are for soldiers. Today we visited a Ukrainian drone base hidden in a garage. The unit's commander, Leonid Masloff, also has little confidence in President Trump's meeting with Putin. I'm not optimistic. Putin is playing a very bad game. He will deceive Trump for sure. 100 percent. Trump will be deceived. And Tom, Russian forces tonight remain on the offensive, trying to take as much land as possible before the summit.

Richard, our thanks to you. We want to head to Washington, D.C., where the Trump administration is expanding the presence of federal. officers and National Guard troops around the city. Now some protesters are pushing back. Here's Gabe Gutierrez. At D.C. landmarks tonight, a growing number of National Guard troops and across neighborhoods federal officers not just patrolling, but executing warrants. Crime is rampant in D.C. It's rampant in our generally blue-run cities, and they've got to do something about it. The White House now says the National Guard operations have been expanded to 24-7, not just evening hours.

For the guard, at least, it appears aimed at a visual deterrent effect. The administration looking to make examples out of suspects. After video of a man throwing a sandwich at a federal officer, then running away, went viral. He's now charged with felony assault. The Attorney General says he worked at the Justice Department and he was fired. Today, D.C.'s police chief issued an executive order, allowing local officers. officers to notify federal ICE agents about undocumented immigrants they encounter, including during traffic stops, a major change in a blue city.

That's a great step if they're doing that. Yeah, I think this is going to happen all over the country. The Trump administration now very publicly taking on cities led by Democrats. Today in Los Angeles, federal agents conducted an immigration enforcement operation outside an event held by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Well, don't mess with the great golden state. While back in Washington overnight, more than 100 protesters heckled local and federal officers that had set up a checkpoint. President Trump says he plans to federalize the district's police department beyond 30 days. Are you concerned at all that some federal officers that are helping D.C. police might be being pulled away from other high-priority assignments. Like what? Terrorism, for example.

Really? Terrorism? They'll stop terrorism as part of what they're doing right now. Among D.C. residents, reaction is mixed. They are the goons of an openly fascist, openly violent regime. Others, like longtime community activist Leroy Thorpe, welcome the help. So when you heard the Trump administration was going to take over the police department, you thought what? I loved it. It's not about politics, man.

It's about law and order. The city's not a law and order. The feds don't play around. The criminals know that. And Gabe joins us now live from Washington's Union Station. Gabe, we can see that military presence you're talking about just behind you. I understand you have some new reporting about those checkpoints. Yes, Tom.

In addition to these National Guard Humvees, a senior law enforcement official tells NBC News to expect more checkpoints across D.C. tonight set up by local police and federal officers. The official also tells us that more federal agents are coming in from across the country to beef up these shifts. Tom. Gabe Gutierrez out there on the streets of Washington tonight. Gabe, our thanks to you. Now to the latest on Tropical Storm Aaron projected to become a major hurricane. Bill Cairns joins us now live. And Bill, the big question for everyone is how close will this hurricane get to the East Coast? Yeah, that's the million dollar question. As of now, it still looks to be 400 to 500 miles off the

East Coast. And that's close enough for indirect impacts, but not a direct impact. So the storm is getting stronger. It's going to make its closest approach to areas like Puerto Rico in the U.S. Virgin Islands as we go throughout the next 24 to 48 hours. By the tail end of the weekend, it should be a major hurricane. But then it takes that turn away from the Bahamas, away from Florida. It's going to be a close call for Bermuda still. But you notice, all of our major models are well off the coast time. So far, so good. All right, good news for now. Bill, thank you. Now to our series, the cost of denial. And why one couple says sometimes it's the delay in getting an approval that can make all the difference. Here's Ann Thompson. At 58, John Caradale's

struggles with even the most basic tasks. I'll put this on hot. With numbness on his left side and hand. Nothing. Put it hot. Oh, it's hot. What does it take to do the stairs? One step time, and I can feel the pain and numbness in my legs and knees. Now a year after a devastating stroke at his home in Howell, Michigan. He was taken to University Hospital in Ann Arbor on June 6, 2024, treated, and then laid in bed for five weeks, waiting to be transferred to an acute rehab facility. And you had insurance? Oh, yes, yes, we had. And now? Was your insurance company there for you? No. John's wife, Emily Steiner, says doctors told them John needed specialized care. almost immediately they told us he would need this this acute rehab this is June 28th yes so he's

he was admitted June 6th yes this is 22 days later later we're still at the same place the back and forth between the hospital and Etna left John in limbo and to this day they disagree on the facts and communications that caused the delay they do agree that on June 30th 18 days after the hospital said it made its first request, Aetna approved the intensive care. But the hospital says it didn't find out about it until Friday, July 5th, a holiday weekend. When the staff called the following Monday to confirm the approval, it had expired. How frustrating was it to lie in that bed? It's a terrible feeling. And, you know, five weeks seems like five years. And you're watching him deteriorate? Yes. In the meantime, fed up, John asked

be sent to a less intensive, less expensive, and he says ultimately less effective rehab facility, which Aetna approved. You do what they said was an hour of rehab a day. It turned out to be more like a half an hour every other day. Etna says the intensive rehab request was canceled only after John asked for less intensive care. In a statement, the company also says this case is complex and its ability to process claims and appeals depends upon the information received from the provider. Emily says John is 70% of who he was before the stroke. What is the cost of denial? I don't think that you can put a price on it. Denial is, is, there's an infinite price tag attached to that. Pain, pain, agony, depression, disappointment. John and Emily left to wonder, what if he had gotten the

care, the doctors say he needed. Ann Thompson, NBC News, Howell, Michigan. In 60 seconds, chaos on a breeze airways flight when a passenger allegedly shouted racist slurs and waved a skateboard during an altercation with other passengers and the flight attendants. That's next. Tonight, we're learning more about that breeze airways flight from Virginia to California that was forced to divert because of an unruly passenger. Others on board now speaking out about the chaotic scene.

Here's Liz Croix with the video. Tonight, the man seen in this video on board a breeze airway's flight, appearing in court and facing federal charges. They said they had him restrained. He broke out and there's passengers holding him down there. Authorities arresting 46-year-old David Carver after the airline says he started a physical altercation with flight attendants and other passengers on board. The men behind me are like, yo, he's drunk.

And then the next thing you know, he's belligerent, he's doing too much. Flight attains, he's using racial slurs, he's in people's faces. P.K. Mackie says a football player on the flight jumped into help after Carter broke free twice from his restraints. Thank God for linebacker 17C because he really saved the day. I've been flying for over 10 years and I never witnessed no mess like this. The flight was heading from Norfolk, Virginia to Los Angeles Wednesday when the pilot made the decision to divert to Grand Junction Colorado. There's information that he struck a flight attendant.

The airline saying one flight attendant and one passenger were evaluated for minor injuries. It was really surreal to like see the plane pulling in and seeing all the cop vehicles and ever, I guess, the feds like right outside. It was really insane. The FAA says this is among more than a thousand reports of unruly passengers already this year. And tonight, Transportation Secretary Duffy with a warning saying that it is a felony to assault a flight attendant and that assailants will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Wild moments in that plane. Liz, thank you. We're back in a moment with the wildfire threat in California tonight with these flames already torching hundreds of acres. And look at this, a massive crane destroying that house after it fell on top of it. What happened here? That's next. We're back now with a huge wildfire in the L.A. area, the Kingfire already prompting evacuations near Gorman, California. Look at those flames. They already burned nearly 600 acres. and now the fire is 20% contained. Also, tonight rescue operations are underway in a remote area of

India-controlled Kashmir, where relentless torrential downpours cause widespread flash floods and landslides. Authorities say at least 44 people are dead and dozens more are missing after a cloudburst trigger the devastation in the mountainous district, which is a popular Hindu pilgrimage destination. And while images of Merritt Island, Florida, when a massive crane crashed down on a house, that accident, cutting power, breaking a water main, and destroying nearly all of the house. You can see from this aerial shot, just how long that crane is. And get this, the owner of the house? Well, his name, Jim Crane. We are not joking. All right, that's nightly news for this Thursday. I'm Tom Yamas reporting tonight from Alaska. Thanks so much for watching tonight.

And always, we're here for you. Good night. Thank you.