The 11th Hour with Brian Williams

A New York Judge ruled that Donald Trump committed fraud and lied about his net worth for years, saying the former president's financial statements were “based in a fantasy world.” Meanwhile even more Democrats, including New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, are calling on Sen. Bob Menendez to resign. Plus, a one on one with Walter Isaacson, author of the new Elon Musk biography. Joyce Vance, Tim O'Brien, Sam Stein, Reed Galen, Robert Gibbs, and Brandy Zadrozny join.

Key developments continue in Trump's multiple legal cases: a GA judge has granted DA Fani Willis's request to keep jurors identities secret in the upcoming election interference trials. Meanwhile, New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez refuses to resign amid corruption allegations. Plus: Bianca Fortis breaks down new reporting about former Columbia University OB-GYN Robert Hadden, who's been sentenced to 20 years for sexually abusing patients. Susan Glasser, Luke Broadwater, Renato Mariotti, Matthew Dowd, Jason Johnson, Ben White, and Seth Harris join.

We're back for another Friday Nightcap -- we'll discuss political headlines, the fight for democracy and find out everyone's MVPs for the week. Alex Witt, José Díaz-Balart, Peter Spiegel, and Pete Dominick join. 

Rupert Murdoch announced he will step down in November as chair of Fox and News Corp and tapped his son Lachlan to replace him. Plus, President Zelenskyy met with some members of House leadership after Speaker McCarthy denied his request to address a joint session of Congress. Peter Baker, Dylan Byers, Tim Miller, Jonathan, Capehart, William Taylor, Julia Ainsley, Melissa Russo, and Lucas Shaw join. 

General Merrick Garland testifies for more than 5 hours to the House Judiciary Committee. Plus, Ryan Busse, who's running to be Democratic nominee in the Montana governor's race, talks about being a gun safety advocate in a heavily armed state. Joyce Vance, Carol Leonning, Jen Psaki, Doug Jones, Charlie Dent, and Keir Simmons join.

President Biden urged world leaders and U.S. lawmakers to stand firm in support of Ukraine as he addressed the United Nations General Assembly. Meantime, House Republicans scrapped a key vote on a stopgap spending bill. Plus, a judge grants Kenneth Chesebro's request to speak with the grand jurors who indicted him in Georgia. And as the migrant crisis continues to grow in cities like New York, it's putting new pressure on Pres. Biden's re-election bid – especially when it comes to fundraising. Peter Baker, Amb. William Taylor, former Sen. Claire McCaskill, Juanita Tolliver, Reed Galen, Julia Ainsley, Zachary Iscol and Glenn Kirschner join. 

Jeffrey Clark's lawyers argued he was following Trump's direction to draft a letter to Georgia state officials falsely stating the DOJ had concerns of 2020 election. It comes as new reporting found Trump wrote to-do lists on White House documents. Meantime, Texas AG Ken Paxton is acquitted in his impeachment trial. Plus, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy prepares to address U.N. General Assembly. And an inside look at the largest criminal hospice fraud case ever prosecuted. Amna Nawaz, Luke Broadwater, Charles Coleman, Victoria DeFrancesco Soto, Stuart Stevens and Ben Rhodes join.

 Our Friday Nightcap returns to discuss the week's political headlines, summer of strikes, and MVPs. Ben White, Kyle Spencer, George Hahn and Trymaine Lee join. 

A federal grand jury indicts President Biden's son Hunter on three gun-related charges. Meantime, the judge in the Georgia election interference case ruled Trump won't be tried next month. Rep. Kevin McCarthy dares his Republican detractors to remove his as Speaker. Plus, the United Auto Workers Union says it will go on strike at three factories if no deal is reached. And a new book shares the road map to happiness. Peter Baker, Barbara McQuade, Frank Figliuzzi, Matt Dowd, Amy McGrath, Seth Harris, and Neal Boudette join.

In Thursday's televised hearing, we could learn more about where the Georgia election interference case is headed next. Meantime, Sen. Mitt Romney announces his retirement and calls for a “new generation” of leaders. Plus, newly-released Census data shows the child poverty rate more than doubled after the pandemic-era child tax credit expired. And the biggest names in tech descend on Capitol Hill to talk about regulating A.I. Garrett Haake, Luke Broadwater, Joyce Vance, Juanita Tolliver, Charlie Sykes, Sen. Michael Bennet and Jake Ward join.

The judge in the Georgia election interference case is expected to decide if Trump and his 18 co-defendants will be tried together next month. Meanwhile, Speaker Kevin McCarthy orders an impeachment inquiry into President Biden. Plus, a one-on-one with the Salesforce CEO as their Dreamforce Conference kicks off in San Francisco. Carol Leonning, Harry Litman, Sam Stein, former Rep. Charlie Dent, former Sen. Doug Jones, Marc Benioff and Kara Swisher join. 

The nation marked 22 years since the 9/11 attacks with tributes, tears and remembrances. It comes as President Biden commemorated the day with a message of unity. Meantime, Trump seeks the recusal of Judge Chutkan in his federal election interference case. Plus, Kim Jong Un travels to Russia for rare summit with Putin. And it's a race against time to find survivors of the devastating earthquake in Morocco. Katie Benner, Michael Steele, Glenn Kirschner, Symone Sanders-Townsend, Tim Miller and Dmitri Alperovitch join.

A special grand jury recommended indicting Sen. Lindsey Graham, David Perdue, Kelly Loeffler and Michael Flynn in the Georgia election interference case – although none of them were charged. It comes as Mark Meadows files a notice to appeal after a judge denied his request to move the Georgia case to federal court. Meantime, Republicans try to find a new term for “pro-life” to stave off more electoral losses. And South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem endorses Trump as her name gets tossed around for a possible running mate. Amna Nawaz, Greg Bluestein, Charles Coleman, Dr. Kavita Patel, Reecie Colbert, Shermichael Singleton and Jon Meacham join.

Former President Trump signals he may try to move his Georgia election interference case to federal court. Meantime, former Trump adviser Peter Navarro is found guilty of criminal contempt of Congress for defying a Jan. 6th subpoena. Plus, China's economy is going through a major slowdown. And parenting Youtuber Ruby Franke is facing six felony child abuse charges. Peter Baker, Jon Allen, Joyce Vance, Basil Smikle, Stuart Stevens, Anna Ashton and Kalhan Rosenblatt join.

In the first major hearing, prosecutors told a Georgia judge they expect the trial of Trump and 18 others to last four months and that they intend to call 150 witnesses. Meantime, Vice President Harris breaks from the White House's silence on Trump's legal issues. Plus, a child care crisis looms as covid-era federal funding is set to expire at the end of the month. And Secretary of State Antony Blinken makes a surprise visit to Ukraine. Carol Leonning, Stephen Fowler, Neal Katyal, Conor Lamb, Mike Murphy, Abha Bhattarai, and Ben Rhodes join. 

Former Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison after getting convicted of seditious conspiracy. Meantime, all 19 defendants in the Georgia election case have now pleaded not guilty and waived their Wednesday arraignment. Plus, the historic impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton begins. And, thousands leave Burning Man after heavy rain left them stranded over the weekend. Katie Benner, Geoff Bennett, Clint Watts, Melissa Redmon, State Rep. Tanya Miller, Tony Plohetski and Neal Katyal join.

Former President Trump entered a not guilty plea in his Georgia election interference case as he tries to sever his case from the co-defendants who want a speedy trial. It comes as we learn all court proceedings in Georgia will be televised and live streamed. Plus, Supreme Court Justices Thomas and Alito release their 2022 financial disclosures. And former Proud Boys leaders Joseph Biggs and Zachary Rehl were handed two of the lengthiest sentences yet linked to January 6th. Peter Baker, Glenn Thrush, Renato Mariotti, Chris Geidner, Juanita Tolliver, Tim Miller and Clint Watts join.

The judge in Trump's federal election interference case sets the trial date for March 4th, 2024 – right in the heart of primary season. Meantime, Trump and his 18 co-defendants are scheduled to be arraigned next week in the Georgia election case. It comes as Mark Meadows takes the stand for nearly five hours in an effort to move his case to federal court. Plus, the community of Jacksonville, Florida is grieving after three people were killed in a racially motivated shooting. Peter Baker, Catherine Christian, Glenn Kirschner, Carol Leonnig, Philip Rucker, Don Calloway, Maria Teresa Kumar and Mark McKinnon join.

All defendants in the Georgia election case have surrendered as D.A. Fani Willis alerts defense attorneys about next steps. Plus, new polling debunks claims that indictments boost former President Trump. And as we mark the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, it serves as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done. Kyle Cheney, Jon Allen, Melissa Murray, Stephen Fowler, Amy McGrath, Reed Galen, Michael Beschloss, LaTosha Brown and Kendra Cotton join.

Ali Velshi gives a special preview of his new podcast, “Velshi Banned Book Club,” an act of resistance against the epidemic of book banning. In each episode, a different author of a banned book joins Ali—including Margaret Atwood, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Laurie Halse Anderson and more—to talk about why their work is being targeted and about the literature itself. “Velshi Banned Book Club” is a series rooted in literary and cultural analysis and in the notion of reading as resistance. Listen to the first two episodes now and follow the series: https://link.chtbl.com/vbbc_fdlw

Special Counsel Jack Smith revealed a key witness in the classified documents case has retracted his previous false testimony about efforts to delete security footage. The witness additionally gave prosecutors new information implicating Trump and two co-defendants. Plus, activist and Little Rock Nine member Minnijean Brown-Trickey along with NAACP Director of Education, Innovation, and Research Dr. Ivory Toldson, talk about 6 Arkansas schools' decisions to offer AP African American Studies despite the state's education department warning them not to. Joyce Vance, Luke Broadwater, Tia Mitchell, Frank Figliuzzi, Shermichael Singleton, and Basil Smikle join. 

Donald Trump's bond is now set in the GA election interference case. The bond agreement bars Trump from intimidating or threatening co-defendants or witnesses -- including on social media. Plus, business owner and mother of nine Lauri Carleton was allegedly shot and killed by a man who confronted her about a Pride flag on display outside her store. President and CEO of GLAAD Sarah Kate Ellis discusses the killing and its impact on the LGBTQ+ community. Katie Benner, Greg Bluestein, Charles Coleman, Secretary Julian Castro, David Jolly, and Michael Mann, join. 

Law enforcement expects former President Trump to voluntarily surrender in Fulton County no earlier than Thursday. It comes as his co-defendant Kenneth Chesebro appears to have been on the Capitol grounds on January 6th. Plus, President Biden and the First Lady are expected to head to Maui on Monday to get a firsthand look at the aftermath of the wildfires. Amna Nawaz, Jon Allen, Renato Mariotti, Victoria DeFrancesco Soto, Carlos Curbelo, Evan Peterson and Jon Meacham join.

While special counsel Jack Smith aims to start the election interference trial in January 2024, Trump's lawyers are seeking to push it to April 2026 instead. Meantime, Ron DeSantis' debate strategy for next week's GOP debate posted online. Plus, a Kansas newspaper is raided by police but it didn't stop them from publishing their weekly paper. Peter Baker, Katie Benner, Glenn Kirschner, Juanita Tolliver, Reed Galen and Eric Meyer join.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis proposed a March 4th trial date in the Georgia election case – just one day before Super Tuesday. Meanwhile, Elon Musk's “X”, is accused of slowing down traffic to websites Elon Musk dislikes, as a judge suggests Musk withheld Trump's Twitter data to “cozy up” to the former president. Kyle Cheney, Joyce Vance, Jake Ward, Justin Wolfers, Amy McGrath and Tim Miller join.

Georgia prosecutor Fani Willis set an August 25th deadline for Trump and 18 others to voluntarily surrender in the state's 2020 election case. It comes as we learn they'll all be booked at the Fulton County Jail. Meantime, Mark Meadows becomes the first of the co-defendants to seek to move the case to federal court. Plus, former NFL star Michael Oher files a lawsuit against the “Blind Side” family. Greg Bluestein, Claire McCaskill, Kristy Greenberg, Neal Katyal, Conor Lamb, Stuart Stevens and Michael Fletcher join.

Judge Chutkan issued a protective order against former President Trump and cautioned him against intimidating witnesses. Plus, Attorney General Merrick Garland appoints a special counsel in the Hunter Biden probe. Jon Allen, Tia Mitchell, David Jolly and Renato Mariotti break down today's biggest stories. And later, Steve Liesman, Abby Livingston, Sami Sage and Bill Carter hit the roundtable for the Friday Nightcap to talk about the economy, Hollywood strikes and share this week's MVPs.

Trump's behavior will be at the center of a hearing Friday in the Justice Department's election interference case. It comes as the special counsel's office proposes a January 2, 2024 trial date. Plus, a new report found Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas accepted even more luxurious gifts from billionaires than first thought. Peter Baker, Luke Broadwater, Kristy Greenberg, Brett Murphy, Max Rose, Stuart Stevens and Brandy Zadronzny join.

Special Counsel Jack Smith obtained a search warrant for Former President Trump's Twitter back in January.Twitter's initial resistance in complying with the warrant resulted in a $350,000 fine for the company.Plus, a special one-on-one with CEO of GM Mary Barra to talk all things auto industry.  Sam Stein, Joyce Vance, Glenn Thrush, Clint Watt, Symone Sanders-Townsend, and Tim Miller join. 

The judge overseeing the DOJ's election interference case set a protective order hearing for Friday, despite attempts from Trump's legal team to postpone to next week. Meantime, Ohio voters made a huge statement in support of abortion rights after rejecting a ballot measure that would make it harder to change the state's constitution. Plus, breaking down the biggest headlines in business and tech. Katie Benner, Frank Figliuzzi, Charles Coleman, Juanita Tolliver, Matthew Dowd, Justin Wolfers and Kara Swisher join.

Special counsel Jack Smith and Trump's legal team argue over evidence sharing in the election interference case as Judge Chutkan orders a hearing to settle the dispute by Friday. Plus, GOP candidate Ron DeSantis admits Trump lost the 2020 election. And a special election on Tuesday could determine the future of abortion in Ohio. Philip Rucker, Tali Farhadian Weinstein, Kyle Cheney, Greg Bluestein, Dr. Jason John, Mark McKinnon, and Ohio State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney join.

Special counsel Jack Smith filed a request for a protective order in the election interference case, citing a Trump post. It comes as calls grow for cameras in the courtroom of Trump's trials. Plus, some of Lizzo's former dancers filed a lawsuit accusing the singer of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Glenn Thrush, Katie Benner, Glenn Kirschner, Jon Allen, Reed Galen, Krystie Lee Yandoli and Jon Meacham join.

Former President Trump pleaded not guilty to federal charges that he conspired to overturn the 2020 presidential election. His next hearing is set for August 28th, where the judge will set a date for his trial. It comes as Trump defenders are using Hunter Biden to deflect from the former President's latest indictment. Ryan Reilly, Carol Leonnig, Kristy Greenberg, Charles Coleman, Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, Peter Baker, Philip Bump, Symone Sanders-Townsend, and Tim Miller join.

Former President Trump is expected to appear in a federal court in Washington, D.C. on Thursday after being indicted in the special counsel's 2020 election investigation. It comes as his lawyer hints Trump's defense will focus on free speech. Luke Broadwater, Kyle Cheney, Barbara McQuade, Former Capitol Police Chief Steven A. Sund, Former Rep. Tim Ryan and Former Rep. Charlie Dent join.

Donald Trump is now the first U.S. President charged with trying to overturn an election after a D.C. jury indicted him on four criminal charges in the special counsel's probe. Peter Baker, Katie Benner, Joyce Vance, Glenn Kirschner, Frank Figliuzzi, Rep. Eric Swalwell, Neal Katyal, Charlie Sykes and Jason Johnson join.

As we await next moves in the special counsel's election interference case, Georgia prosecutor Fani Willis reveals “we're ready to go” on charging decisions in her election probe of Trump. It comes as Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira makes his first court appearance in the classified documents case. Plus, new reporting found Trump's team is creating a new legal defense fund to help pay for his allies' legal bills. And GOP candidates are gearing up for their first debate, but the frontrunner may not be there. Carol Leonning, Tali Farhadian Weinstein, David Cay Johnston, Claire McCaskill, Robert Gibbs, Mike Murphy and Gen. Barry McCaffrey join.

As former President Trump faces mounting legal troubles, he vowed that even a conviction would not stop his presidential campaign. Meantime, nearly every GOP presidential candidate spoke at the same Iowa fundraiser Friday night but ignored Trump's superseding indictment. Plus, the new spotlight on our aging U.S. lawmakers. Philip Rucker, Glenn Thrush, Mary McCord, David Jolly, Symone Sanders-Townsend and Michael Beschloss join.

Special counsel Jack Smith tacks on additional charges against Trump and his aide Walt Nauta in the classified documents case. It comes as Smith adds a third defendant, Carlos De Oliveira, to the case. Plus, House Republicans boast about a “productive” session just before leaving for a five-week recess. And prosecutors drop another charge against former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried. Peter Baker, Katie Benner, Charles Coleman, Joyce Vance, Frank Figliuzzi, Conor Lamb and David Gura join.

Hunter Biden pled not guilty to federal tax charges after his original plea deal collapses. Meantime, Rudy Giuliani admits to making false statements against two Georgia election workers in a new court filing. Plus, the new warning about a second Trump term. And stories of UFO sightings land on Capitol Hill. Tom Winter, Luke Broadwater, Joyce Vance, David Plouffe, Michael Steele, Miles Taylor and Ryan Graves join.

With a possible third indictment of Trump, all eyes are on Thursday for the grand jury to announce their decision in the DOJ election probe. Plus, Jake Ward breaks down Elon Musk's rebrand of Twitter as an “everything” app. Jon Allen, Katie Benner, Neal Katyal, Juanita Tolliver, Tim Miller, and Matt K. Lewis join.

As we await news of a possible third Trump indictment, we're getting a clearer picture of the case Jack Smith is putting together. Meantime, Ron DeSantis is under fire in his home state as his campaign launches a new catchphrase. Plus, the president of Stanford University announced he's stepping down after a student journalist raised questions about some of his past research. Sam Stein, Greg Bluestein, Glenn Kirschner, Amy McGrath, Reed Galen, Theo Baker, Paul Flahive, and J. David Goodman join. 

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson discusses her state's plan to protect elections going forward. Lisa Rubin, Peter Baker, Charles Coleman, Mark McKinnon, Maria Teresa Kumar, Bill Browder join. 

Three federal statutes were mentioned in the letter, relating to deprivation of rights, conspiracy and witness tampering. Luke Broadwater, Joyce Vance, Melissa Murray, Greg Bluestein, Shermichael Singleton, Juanita Tolliver join.

Hours before a key hearing in the classified documents case, former President Trump revealed he's officially a target in Jack Smith's election interference probe. Rep. Adam Schiff reacts to the news and Garrett Haake, Katie Benner, Glenn Kirschner, Joyce Vance, Jon Allen, Max Rose, and Michael Steele join.

Judge Cannon will consider when the trial will start and how classified material will be handled on Tuesday. Kyle Cheney, Carol Leonnig, Renato Mariotti, Matthew Dowd, Basil Smikle, Kara Swisher and Matthew Belloni join.

Jon Allen, Dr. Kavita Patel, Cynthia Alksne breakdown Iowa's abortion ban. And later, Jake Ward, Guy Adami, Nancy Giles and Evan McMorris-Santoro hit the round table to discuss the ramifications of the actors strike.

Smith's team reportedly asked witnesses – including the former president's son-in-law Jared Kushner -- whether or not Trump acknowledged his loss in the days following the election. Peter Baker, Geoff Bennett, Harry Litman, Andrew Weissman, Mallory McMorrow, Jason Johnson, Stuart Stevens and Alex Sherman join.

The Republican-led panel used their time to attack Wray and the Bureau – while Democrats focused on the search of Mar-A-Lago. Carol Leonnig, Frank Figliuzzi, Joyce Vance, Amb. William Taylor, Jonathan Capehart, Charlie Dent and Justin Wolfers join.

Trump's lawyers have requested to delay the classified documents trial until after the 2024 election. Meantime, two newly-seated grand juries will likely decide Trump's fate in Georgia's election interference probe. Plus, the House GOP's so-called “informant” against the Biden family has now been indicted. And NATO stops short of an Ukraine invitation, angering President Zelenskyy. Glenn Thrush, Leigh Ann Caldwell, Charles Coleman, James Carville, Tim Miller, Ivo H. Daalder and Jason Del Ray join.

Walt Nauta is accused of helping the former president hide top secret material from authorities after Trump left the White House. Katie Benner, Toluse Olonrunnipa, Joyce Vance, Amb. William Taylor, Tim Miller, Basil Smikle and Ben Collins join.

The document details the Justice Department's justification for the search, including video footage that showed “evidence” being moved. Glenn Kirschner, Sam Stein, Eugene Daniels, Angela Ferrell-Zabala, Charlie Dens, Aisha Mills and Chris Geidner join.