NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Episode Date: June 26, 2025

American Airlines plane returns to Vegas after engine sparks during flight; Mamdani upsets Cuomo in New York’s Democratic mayoral primary; Gift card scammer admits to cheating couple; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, President Trump on the world stage saying tonight the U.S. and Iran will meet. President Trump firing back about an early Intel assessment of the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, arguing they had been obliterated and why he says he does not need a nuclear agreement with Iran. R. Kelly O'Donnell questioning him in the heat of the NATO meetings. Plus, the lighter moment during a serious summit. Why the head of NATO called President Trump daddy. Fire in the sky, the frightening scene aboard an American Airlines jet

as one of the engines sparks just after takeoff. The smoke and burst in the air, flames visible on the ground. What we're learning about the emergency landing tonight. 125 million people in the middle of this brutal heat wave fire crews hosing down a bridge too hot for traffic when there will be any sense of relief political shocker will this 33 year old Democratic socialists be the next mayor of New York City he just beat Andrew Cuomo and is poised to go head to head with the of New York City, he just beat Andrew Cuomo and is poised to go head to head with the incumbent Eric Adams. Risky rescue will take you underground as firefighters search for

a little girl who fell into a storm drain during flash flooding and the small town making a big difference in the lives of its graduates, helping pay their way to college. Nightly News starts right now. This is NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamaas. And good evening. The president on the world stage and pushing back over those assessments over the nuclear site strikes on Iran. The president disputing the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency's initial report suggesting the strikes

set back Iran's nuclear program by three to six months. The CIA now saying there's credible intelligence indicating Iran's nuclear program has been severely damaged. President Trump also announcing the U.S. and Iran will talk next week, but adding he doesn't care about a nuclear agreement because of the success of those historic B-2 strikes that shocked the world. We begin tonight with Kelly O'Donnell, who pressed the president about all of this at the NATO summit in the Netherlands. Meeting with the leaders of the NATO alliance today and confronting global media.

President Trump came armed with his own battle damage assessments of U.S. airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites. It was very, very successful. It was called obliteration. The president pushing back after news reports that the Defense Intelligence Agency, in an initial assessment, said the Iranian nuclear program was set back three to six months, according to three sources. That preliminary analysis, based on Intel gathered

24 hours after the strikes, one of the sources told us. Pressed today, the president acknowledged the report's findings, but described it as premature. They presented a report that wasn't finished. They didn't see it. All they can do is take a guess. Do you have a message for the intelligence community, though, in terms of unvarnished information getting to you?

I would say issue the report when you know what happened. I wouldn't say that it could be severe or maybe not. You're not disputing the report said what it said, even though it was initial. The report said what it said, and it was fine. It was severe, they think, but they had no idea. They shouldn't have issued a report until they did. He called on Defense Secretary Hegsef to make the case as well,

who noted the Defense Intelligence Agency had low confidence in its initial assessment. Why is there low confidence? Because all of the evidence of what was just bombed by 12, 30,000-pound bombs is buried under a mountain, devastated and obliterated. So if you want to make an assessment of what happened at Fordow,

you better get a big shovel and go really deep because Iran's nuclear program is obliterated. The president cited foreign intelligence, including Israel's Atomic Energy Commission, today saying the strikes set back Iran's ability to develop nuclear weapons by many years. And this from Iran's foreign ministry. Our nuclear installations have been badly damaged. That's for sure.

Late tonight, the CIA director saying credible intelligence indicates Iran's nuclear program has been severely damaged and would have to be rebuilt over the course of years. The ceasefire between Iran and Israel is holding for a second day. NATO Secretary General praising President Trump for that agreement and made a notable comment when the president compared Israel and Iran to squabbling kids. They fight like hell. You can't stop them.

Let them fight for about two, three minutes, then it's easier to stop them. Daddy has to sometimes use strong language to get them to stop them. Yeah, he has strong language. Every once in a while you have to use a certain word. All right, with that Kelly joins us live now from the Netherlands. And Kelly, President Trump is also saying the U.S. will meet with Iran next week. Tom, this would be a new and direct U.S.-Iranian contact. And the president said he's considering asking Iran to sign a nuclear agreement, but then

said it's probably not necessary because he believes Iran will not work to rebuild its nuclear program. Tom? Kelly O'Donnell for us tonight. Kelly, thank you. Now to the severe weather developing tonight. Six tornadoes reported across Minnesota with reports of sirens blaring south of Minneapolis. It's the latest severe weather in what has been a

volatile spring and start of summer. Bill Karens is here tonight. And Bill, we look at your radar right over your shoulder there. It's pretty active tonight. Yeah, southern Minnesota now spreading into Wisconsin, Thomas, the area of concern. Tornado watch is up till 10 o'clock this evening. We've had those six reported tornadoes, most of those near Heartland here. Now our concerns are drifting more to the east with some of our stronger storms. I have my eye on this one storm, shows a well-defined hook on here with that tornado warning.

This storm will be heading towards La Crosse eventually. So far we've heard about one barn that's been down, lot of trees down, no reports of any injuries at this point, but this is still a breaking situation. All right, good news so far. People will have to take cover there. It does come on top of this heat wave and these incredible images we've been seeing, really, across the country.

Things you probably even can't believe in some cases. Here you have firefighters spraying down a bridge after it was shut down from overheating and built 125 million people impacted by this heat. Yes, and we're past the worst of it, but it doesn't mean it's over by any means. So tomorrow, if you're about Philadelphia and northward, you get a little bit of a break. It'll feel like typical summer. It's still going to feel like you're walking in the oven from the Ohio Valley through Roanoke, Raleigh, Norfolk, all of these areas, really hot.

The final piece of relief will make a little bit in the mid-Atlantic. Baltimore gets a little bit of a break on Friday, but for our friends in the mid-Atlantic, Tom, all the way to the Ohio Valley, summer's here to stay. Yeah, those 90s are too. All right, Bill. We thank you for that We now want to go to that scare in the air on board an American Airlines flight this morning Departing from Las Vegas video captured sparks and smoke coming from one of the plane's engines Moments before it was forced to turn around and land our Steve Patterson takes us through what happened Tonight a terrifying moment after takeoff.

American 1665, same sense of effect. You have some planes coming out of the engines. You're over and out of the return. Video showing flames flickering from the plane's right side, accompanied by what appears to be a constant knocking from the engine. The American Airlines flight spewing a smoke trail

across the skies over Sin City, spotted from the ground after a witness says they heard an audible boom. The Charlotte bound flight from Las Vegas took off shortly before 8 this morning with 153 passengers and six crew members. Within minutes, the plane was forced to turn around, landing back safely on the ground in Vegas. Authorities say no one was injured. American Airlines calling the incident a mechanical issue, adding the aircraft taxing to the gate

under its own power and customers deplaning normally, adding there was no evidence of fire in the engine. It appears to be what is known as a compressor stall. When this happens, it scares everybody on the airplane, but the pilots will pull the power levers back and reduce the thrust being put out by the engine and that Typically will settle the engine down the FAA tonight says they will investigate and the plane has been taken out of service a Short scare for those on board now thankful to be back on solid ground Steve Patterson NBC news. All right we turn out it was stunning upset in the Democratic mayoral primary here in

New York a 33 year old Democratic socialist beating out the former governor and the race watched closely by Democrats nationwide weighing the future of their party. Here's Emily Aiketta. In the nation's most populated city, a political earthquake. After 33-year-old Zoram Mamdani declared victory in the Democratic primary in New York City's mayoral race. In our New York, the power belongs to the people. The little-known state lawmaker, a Democratic socialist, upending former governor Andrew Cuomo,

a political heavyweight with name recognition, financial backing and major endorsements. Cuomo conceding his votes are still being counted. Tonight was not our night. Tonight was Assemblyman Mondani's night. Cuomo hoped the primary would mark the start of a political comeback. Four years after he resigned over sexual harassment allegations, Assemblyman Mondani's night. Cuomo hoped the primary would mark the start of a political comeback.

Four years after he resigned over sexual harassment allegations, which he denied. We have just begun our walk through the entirety of Manhattan, but Mom Donnie electrifying many voters through his talk to anyone style and viral videos. Just how big of an upset is this?

It's a major upset. It's a clarion call for the National Democrats. Pay attention to young voters. Have an appetite for big ideas. With the hopes of landing here at City Hall, Mamdani has campaigned on making New York City more affordable with free buses and rent freezes with the help of higher taxes on the wealthy. These are sort of policies that I think are very tangible and give people the ability to actually imagine a future in New York today president Trump call mom Donnie a communist

lunatic writing Democrats have crossed the line if elected he would become the first Muslim mayor in New York City throughout the primary he faced criticism over his stance on the Israeli government and limited experience. This is a man who has done nothing. Current mayor Eric Adams slamming mom, Donnie as a snake oil salesman. You had one candidate that was running away from his record. You had another candidate with no record.

Adams now running for reelection as an independent after president Trump's department of justice dropped corruption charges against him, teeing up a surprising showdown come November in the Big Apple. Emily joins us live. Emily, let's pick up right where you left off there. Usually the Democrat is a shoo-in here in New York City, but that might not be the case.

Yeah, this is turning out to be a race unlike any other because you've got Mondani, who has certainly generated a lot of enthusiasm from Democratic voters. But then there's the incumbent mayor, Eric Adams, though his approval ratings reaching a new low just in the spring. There's also the chance, remember Cuomo could run in the general election on an independent line.

So a lot of dynamics at play here. Yeah, we will be covering that race. Okay, Emily, thanks so much for that. And in nearby New Jersey tonight, at least one person was hurt after a building collapsed in Upper Deerfield, not far from Philly. These aerials showing just how severe the damage was, authorities say all of the workers in the building were accounted for and the cause of the collapse is still unclear. Overseas, a massive Russia strike on the city of Dnieper in Ukraine, killing at least 19 people and injuring about 300 others, according to Ukrainian officials. They also say an administrative building, shops and a children's hospital were damaged.

The attack happened ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's appearance at the NATO summit. Also overseas, there's remarkable new video of a little girl being rescued from a storm drain in China after she got lost for hours amid intense flash flooding. Liz Kreutz with that video. Tonight harrowing video showing the incredible moment a young girl in China was rescued from a storm drain where officials say she was trapped for seven hours during intense flooding across the region.

In this video, you can see the little girl clinging to a member of the rescue team who's using a flashlight and rope to wade through the waters to guide them to safety. According to the fire department, the child went missing after school and was suspected to have fallen into a drainage ditch in China's way Joe province water rescue crews were called in one by one checking manholes until they located the girl officials say when they found her she was trapped inside the 20 foot deep pipeline and struggling to survive across

China's southwest region thousands of people have been evacuated from heavy rains triggering severe flooding torrents of water seen sweeping through streets destroying bridges some cities and villages now completely underwater rescue crews seen here using drones to drop supplies to trap survivors. Amid so much devastation, this rescue a brief moment of relief. The little girl carried to safety and miraculously unharmed.

Liz Kreutz, NBC News. An incredible rescue there. Tonight in our Consumer Alert, we're getting rare insight into the world of phone scammers who steal millions of dollars from Americans every year, especially the elderly. One of them caught on a police body cam admitting she was part of a bigger scam operation. Here's Tom Costello Thomas, the admission caught on a Colorado police officer's body cam will make you angry. A woman calling herself Rebecca admits she just scammed a senior couple

out of $20,000 speaking to is this? I'm speaking to the person who scammed them. You scammed them? Why? For the money so they got the gift card and I got the money from it. Tom and Sue told our Denver affiliate KUSATV that they received an email that they owed money for a phone they didn't buy with a number to call.

When they did, Rebecca answered, saying she was a federal agent and then convinced them to buy dozens of gift cards and give her the pin codes. She was very, very convincing. Their local bank called police, who then called Rebecca back. But amazingly, the scammer,

likely overseas, seemed to feel sorry for her victims. Just jam them down and give them some water and explain them what happened to them. the scammer likely overseas seemed to feel sorry for her victims. Get them down and give them some water and explain them what happened to them. OK, K USA Denver reporter Steve Stager. This couple said their life is in the sewer. They have to start saving again from scratch at age 75. Scam

investigator Aaron West says international criminal networks run a multibillion dollar global scandemic. These groups are operating out of massive compounds using human trafficked workers and forcing them to execute these scams around the world all day every day and it's very difficult to get stolen money back to avoid being

taken be suspicious of anyone trying to befriend you electronically. The government, the police will never email, call or text demanding money. And treat every email, call and text as a scam until proven otherwise. Tom? Alright, Tom Costello with some good tips tonight. When we come back, millions of Americans use buy now, pay later. But there's a big change coming. What it could mean for you after this short break. We are back down with a major change that could impact millions of people who shop using

buy now, pay later. It's become so popular. Those purchases will soon be a factor in your credit score. Christine Romans is here. And Christine, what does this mean for the people at home? You know, Tom, 15% of Americans used Buy Now, Pay Later last year really started with big ticket items like exercise equipment and kids braces,

but now it's even small food deliveries. Instead of using a high interest rate credit card, it's a short-term loan usually paid in four installments, interest-free, and it's really popular, especially with young people. And now FICO, the big credit score company announced it'll start factoring these types of loans into scores this fall. And Tom it can cut both ways make those payments on time and it's a way to build up your credit but take on too many loans and missed payments that's going to hurt your score. As buy now pay later explodes in popularity, so have concerns that, you know, some people

are overspending. One survey shows 41% of people using it were late on payments. Tom, their credit scores soon will reflect that. 41%. Yeah, late on at least one loan. All right, Christine, we thank you for that. And we're back in a moment with the latest on the manhunt for a shooter near a popular spot in Santa Monica.

What's happening here? We're back now with a manhunt in Southern California. Authorities are urging people to stay away from the area near the Santa Monica Place Mall. The details of a shooting there are still unclear, but police say the shooter is still at large, releasing this picture of the suspect. A police officer was injured during the response. It's unclear if that officer was shot. Also tonight, check out this monster jellyfish washing up on Maine's shore. The bright red lines Maine is almost five feet wide and was spotted on a beach in South Portland and get this another one was seen a little bit further down the coast. Jellyfish

aren't usual in aren't unusual I should say in Maine but this one's a different story. Their tentacles can reach up to 100 feet. Officials are warning people not to touch it and to tell a lifeguard if they see one on the beach or in the waters. The small town with a big heart, how they gave their graduates thousands of reasons to be grateful as they head off to college. Finally there's good news tonight for a small town in Minnesota that has big dreams for their high school seniors.

A community with a decades-long tradition, gifting scholarships to every graduating student in town. Boyd Hooper from our station in Minnesota, Kara Levin, has this one. Lily Pearson, the University of Mary. Zach Kapinski, Minnesota State University of Mankato. Every high school senior you're meeting... Trevor Hanson, Central Lakes College, Staples. ...is about to receive a scholarship to help pay for these schools.

Hunter Moore, SMSU. A gift from Swanville, there, hometown. A lot of adventures together. Former principal Chris Dunshey and former gas station owner Royal Loven brainstormed the idea in 1987. We put a big billboard outside of town on the highway and said, come to Swanville School. We give every student that graduates a scholarship. The billboard didn't happen, but Swanville got to work on the scholarships slowly. Average scholarship that first year, 166 bucks. Chili cook-offs, calendars, cheese curds, poinsettias, waffles, bingo, and pull-taps.

Swanville has sold everything, but it's historic water tower to raise money for scholarships. This year's average, $5,142. To me, it's just this community saying, and like, go be great. Go see something cool and make a difference in the world. ["Pomp and Circumstance"]

Zach Kapinski, grand total of $5,000. Wherever you go, know that Swanville is always home. Swanville's Class of 2025 can chalk it up to growing up in the town that dreamed for them. Thank you! Boyd Hooper for NBC News, Swanville, Minnesota. And good luck to all those grads from Swanville. That's nightly news for this Wednesday. I'm Tom Yamas in New York.

Thanks so much for watching. Tonight and always, we're here for you. Good night.