Meet the Press NOW — September 26
Digest
The podcast begins with a report on Hurricane Helene, a category three storm lashing the Florida coast. Meteorologist Al Roker provides an update on the storm's track and potential impact, highlighting the threat of tornadoes, heavy rain, and a significant storm surge. Tallahassee Mayor John Daley addresses the city's preparations for the hurricane, emphasizing their readiness and encouraging residents to stay safe. The news then shifts to New York City, where Mayor Eric Adams is facing criminal charges of wire fraud, bribery, and solicitation of illegal foreign contributions. NBC News law enforcement correspondent Tom Winter discusses the indictment, highlighting the key takeaways and the allegations of a scheme involving foreign donations in exchange for favors. Former US attorney Carol Lam analyzes the strength of the case against Adams, emphasizing the severity of the allegations. The podcast then moves to President Zelensky's visit to Washington, where he met with Vice President Harris. Harris reiterated her unwavering support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, former President Trump canceled a meeting with Zelensky, reportedly due to Zelensky's recent criticisms. Richard Haas, President Emeritus at the Council on Foreign Relations, discusses Zelensky's trip and the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, highlighting the partisan divide surrounding Ukraine and the Biden administration's efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The podcast also covers the House Committee's investigation into the assassination attempt against former President Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. The committee held its first hearing, where witnesses discussed the Secret Service's preparedness and the potential for communication failures. Congressman Jason Crowe, ranking member of the House task force investigating the incident, discusses the Secret Service's failures, highlighting the agency's stretched resources, communication breakdowns, and the need for improved training and protocols. The podcast concludes with a focus group exploring the views of young male voters in battleground states. The focus group reveals that Donald Trump is a dominant theme in their decision-making process, with some voters leaning towards Kamala Harris as a rejection of Trump. Vice President Kamala Harris gives her first one-on-one interview, discussing her economic agenda and emphasizing building the middle class. The podcast also addresses a controversy surrounding Republican Congressman Clay Higgins, who tweeted racist remarks about Haitians.
Outlines
Hurricane Helene and Florida's Preparations
The podcast begins with breaking news about Hurricane Helene, a category three storm with sustained winds of 120 miles per hour, intensifying and lashing the Florida coast. Forecasters expect Florida's big bend region to take a direct hit, with a potential storm surge of up to 20 feet. Al Roker provides an update on Hurricane Helene's track and potential impact, describing the storm as a "monster" with a wide diameter and rapidly deepening. He highlights the potential for tornadoes, heavy rain, and a significant storm surge, particularly in the Apalachicola to Cedar Key area. Tallahassee Mayor John Daley discusses the city's preparations for Hurricane Helene, emphasizing the city's readiness, with assets and personnel stationed throughout the community. He encourages residents to stay safe, check on their neighbors, and allow professionals to handle post-storm response.
Mayor Eric Adams Faces Criminal Charges
The transcript shifts to breaking news from New York City, where Mayor Eric Adams is facing criminal charges of wire fraud, bribery, and solicitation of illegal foreign contributions. Federal prosecutors allege that Adams accepted lavish international travel benefits and sought foreign money for his mayoral campaign. NBC News law enforcement correspondent Tom Winter discusses the indictment against Mayor Adams. He highlights the key takeaways, including the US attorney's vow of more arrests and the allegations of a scheme involving foreign donations in exchange for favors. Former US attorney and NBC News legal analyst Carol Lam analyzes the strength of the case against Mayor Adams. She emphasizes the severity of the allegations, including violations of federal election laws, exceeding donor limits, and fraud against the city.
Zelensky's Visit to Washington and Middle East Tensions
The transcript moves to President Zelensky's visit to Washington, where he met with Vice President Harris. Harris reiterated her unwavering support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, former President Trump canceled a meeting with Zelensky, reportedly due to Zelensky's recent criticisms. Richard Haas, President Emeritus at the Council on Foreign Relations, discusses President Zelensky's trip and the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. He highlights the partisan divide surrounding Ukraine and the Biden administration's efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Hurricane Helene Update and Evacuation Orders
NBC News' Jesse Kirsch reports from Perry, Florida, a county under a mandatory evacuation order due to Hurricane Helene. He describes the situation on the ground, highlighting the potential for a significant storm surge and the sheriff's warnings to residents who choose to stay.
House Committee Investigates Trump Assassination Attempt
The transcript shifts to the House Committee investigating the assassination attempt against former President Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. The committee held its first hearing, where witnesses discussed the Secret Service's preparedness and the potential for communication failures. Congressman Jason Crowe, ranking member of the House task force investigating the Trump assassination attempt, discusses the Secret Service's failures in Butler, Pennsylvania. He highlights the agency's stretched resources, communication breakdowns, and the need for improved training and protocols.
2024 Election and Political Landscape
The transcript focuses on a Deciders focus group, which explores the views of young male voters in battleground states. The focus group reveals that the former president, Donald Trump, is a dominant theme in their decision-making process, with some voters leaning towards Kamala Harris as a rejection of Trump. Vice President Kamala Harris gives her first one-on-one interview, discussing her economic agenda. She emphasizes building the middle class and ensuring that corporations and billionaires pay their fair share. Some Democrats call for a sharper message, while others praise her focus on economic issues. The transcript addresses a controversy surrounding Republican Congressman Clay Higgins, who tweeted racist remarks about Haitians. Speaker Johnson attempts to address the situation, while other lawmakers criticize Higgins' comments and the Republican Party's overall approach to politics.
Keywords
Hurricane Helene
A powerful category three hurricane that is expected to make landfall on the Florida coast, bringing with it strong winds, heavy rain, and a significant storm surge.
Storm Surge
A rise in sea level caused by a hurricane's winds pushing water towards the shore. It can be extremely dangerous, causing flooding and damage to coastal areas.
Eric Adams
The mayor of New York City who is facing criminal charges of wire fraud, bribery, and solicitation of illegal foreign contributions. The charges stem from allegations that he accepted lavish travel benefits and sought foreign money for his campaign.
Zelensky
The president of Ukraine who is seeking support from US and Western allies in the war against Russia. He recently visited Washington, meeting with President Biden and Vice President Harris.
Donald Trump
The former president of the United States who is running for president again in 2024. He has been critical of President Zelensky and has signaled that he would halt US military aid to Ukraine.
Secret Service
The federal agency responsible for protecting the president and other high-ranking officials. The agency has been criticized for its failures in protecting former President Trump during an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.
Political Violence
The use of violence or threats of violence to achieve political goals. It is a serious threat to democracy and can undermine public trust in government.
Middle East Tensions
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has escalated in recent weeks. The Biden administration is working to secure a ceasefire, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed any notion of a pause in fighting.
Q&A
What is the latest on Hurricane Helene's track and potential impact?
Hurricane Helene is a powerful category three storm with sustained winds of 120 miles per hour. It is expected to make landfall on the Florida coast, bringing with it strong winds, heavy rain, and a significant storm surge. The storm is expected to intensify and could potentially become a category four hurricane.
What are the key allegations against New York City Mayor Eric Adams?
Federal prosecutors allege that Mayor Adams accepted lavish international travel benefits and sought foreign money for his mayoral campaign. The charges include wire fraud, bribery, and solicitation of illegal foreign contributions.
What are the main challenges facing the Secret Service in protecting elected officials?
The Secret Service is stretched thin and under-resourced, with agents working long hours and being deployed frequently. The agency has also been criticized for communication breakdowns and failures in protecting former President Trump during an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.
What are the key issues that young male voters in battleground states are considering in the 2024 election?
Young male voters in battleground states are primarily concerned with the economy, reproductive rights, and the overall character of the candidates. Some voters are leaning towards Kamala Harris as a rejection of Donald Trump, while others are drawn to Trump's economic policies.
What are the main points of contention in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah?
The conflict has escalated in recent weeks, with Israel launching airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. The Biden administration is working to secure a ceasefire, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed any notion of a pause in fighting. The conflict has also raised concerns about the safety of hostages held by Hezbollah.
Show Notes
As Hurricane Helene nears the Gulf Coast, Tallahassee, Fla. Mayor John Dailey joins Meet the Press NOW to give the latest updates on preparations. NBC News Correspondent Tom Winter and NBC News Legal Analyst Carol Lam explain the charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. In the latest edition of "The Deciders" focus group produced in collaboration with Syracuse University Engagious and Sago, Margaret Talev looks at a group of young male voters in the Great Lakes states. Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) discusses the bipartisan report on the first attempt to assassinate former president Donald Trump.
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