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Conditions apply, offering a 1% loyalty rate reduction for qualifying customers. Visit HyundaiCanda.com or your local deal for details. This Sunday conviction campaign former President Trump returns to Capitol Hill for the first time since the January 6th attack. We agree just about on everything, and if there isn't, we work it out.
He returned to the scene of the crime like a lot of convicted felons do. Mr. Trump pushing to unite Republicans and urging them to overturn his Manhattan conviction. I'm the only one in history.
People got indicted and my numbers went up. Plus setting the stage. With the first general election debate less than two weeks away, President Biden holds a scarcetted fundraiser in Los Angeles with former President Obama. The Supreme Court has never been as out of kilter as it is today after his son Hunter Biden is convicted on gun charges.
I will do that. I will not pardon him. My guest this morning, Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, a potential Trump running mate, and Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, a top Biden surrogate. And peace at any price.
Russian President Vladimir Putin responds to the new U.S. ukraine security agreements with a ceasefire offer that includes sweeping demands for Ukrainian terrorism. You cannot wait us out. You cannot divide us.
And we'll be with Ukraine until they prevail in this war. Is the cost too high? Joining me for inside analysis are NBC News Washington correspondent Yamich Alcindor, Jonathan Martin of Politico, former Democratic Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, and Mark Short, former chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence. Welcome to Sunday.
It's Meet the Press from NBC News in Washington, the longest running show in television history. This is Meet the Press with Kristen Welker. Good morning and happy Father's Day. I'm Peter Alexander in for Kristen Welker.
With the presidential debate just 11 days away, the two men who will face off on stage are aggressively gearing up for the general election. Former President Trump on Capitol Hill for the first time since the Capitol attack, used part of his day in Washington for informal debate prep with Senator Marco Rubio, among others. President Biden, who returns to Washington late tonight, will begin extensive debate prep this week as well, overseen by his first White House chief of STAFF Ron Klain. Last night the president held a star studded fundraiser in Los Angeles with President Obama, George Clooney and Julia Roberts, among others.
We have the spectacle of the nominee of one of the two major parties sitting in court and being convicted by a jury of his peers on 34 counts. What I would say and what I do say to a bunch of the people out there who are conservatively predisposed, who may not agree with everything that Joe or I or other Democrats stand for, is that there was a time when we had certain core values that we agreed with. President Biden delivered some of his toughest criticism yet of the Supreme Court, warning that the next president could nominate two Supreme Court justices. The Supreme Court has never been as out of kilder as it is today.
I mean, never. The fact of the matter is that this has never been a court that's been this far out of step. And just days after his son Hunter Biden's conviction on felony gun charges, President Biden flew to Italy for the G7 meeting of American allies, reinforcing the US commitments to Ukraine. And new this morning, multiple sources familiar with the White House's plans tell NBC News that President Biden is set to take executive action as early as Tuesday to protect hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of US citizens from deportation.
For his part, Mr. Trump is trying to present a united fronts, and that means bearing a lot of baggage with some leading Republicans. The former president, you'll remember, repeatedly attacked Senator Mitch McConnell as a lousy leader and worse, and even insulted his wife, the former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, using racial slurs. In the days after the January 6, Ryan McConnell blamed Mr.
Trump, saying that he was practically and morally responsible, calling the attack disgraceful. They had not spoken in four years. But now, at least to them, it all appears to be water under the bridge. This is an outstanding group of people.
I'm with them 1,000%. There was me, a thousand percent. We agree just about on everything and if there isn't, we work it out. But the message discipline may be short lived.
In a closed door session, Mr. Trump reportedly called Milwaukee, where Republicans are holding their convention next month, a quote, horrible city. The former president has also been preoccupied with using Congress to defund the Justice Department. And after a Manhattan jury found him guilty on 34 felony counts, many Mr.
Trump asked how Speaker Mike Johnson to find a way to, quote, overturn his conviction. I do believe the Supreme Court is stepping, obviously this is totally unprecedented. This will be overturned. There's no question about it.
It's just gonna take some time to do it. In Michigan on Saturday, where he campaigned in an effort to court black voters, Mr. Trump slammed his conviction. I got indicted more than the legendary Alphonse Capone.
Has anyone heard of Alphonse Capone? Scarface? I got indicted more than he did, and I didn't do anything wrong. And the former president seemed to enjoy the speculation about who he'll pick as a running mate, mentioning Republican Congressman Byron Donalds.
He is on the list, by the way, and I don't know if he's gonna make it, but he's on a list of a few people, right? Not too many people. Would you like to be vp? I think he would.
And joining me now on behalf of the Trump campaign is Republican Congressman Byron Donalds of Florida. Congressman Donalds, welcome back to Meet the Press. Happy Father's Day. Oh, thank you so much.
Happy Father's Day, everybody out there. Thanks, Congressman. This weekend, Donald Trump again railed, as you saw, against his guilty verdict handed down by that Manhattan jury last month. He has said he's going to appeal the verdict.
He has also asked House Speaker Mike Johnson to overturn his conviction. Why should Congress intervene on Donald Trump's behalf rather than letting the judicial process play out? Well, first of all, it's going to be with you. One very important thing.
It's not about Speaker Johnson. He doesn't have that power to overturn anything. But what it's about is that Congress does fund a lot of jurisdictions around the country. And if there is a jurisdiction that takes federal money and it does not also protect the constitutional rights of all Americans, whether that's President Trump or any other American, they shouldn't receive federal funds.
I think that's something that every American would agree with. And you do have to understand President Trump frustration. What happened in Lower Manhattan was a violation of his constitutional rights. They didn't even identify the crime, quote, unquote, until the very end of the process, which is a violation of constitutional norms.
Judge Mershawn did not do that. And so, yes, he's frustrated. Any American will be frustrated in, Congressman, be clear. This was obviously a state case.
He was indicted by a grand jury of New Yorkers. It was a jury of his peers in New York that found him guilty. The president, former president, has called himself a political prisoner, but of course he had legal representation. He has the right to appeal.
He's neither been detained nor imprisoned. So why not just let the judicial process play out? Well, let's go back before you go down that line. In the original Indictment, they never identified an underlying crime.
Under our, under our Bill of Rights, under our rule of law, a defendant is entitled to know what he's being charged with. Donald Trump was never afforded that ability. So how can his legal team prepare a defense if you don't even know what the actual crime is? That is why happened in lower Manhattan was so terrible.
And the only time the prosecution could even assert a crime was at the end of the trace in the case and closing arguments. You're not allowed to do that. Every judge knows this. This is why everybody believes this is going to be overturned on appeal.
But somebody asked about their feel it is a problem if it is overturned. I apologize for the satellite delay. If it's overturned on appeal, will you accept that verdict? Understand what I'm trying to explain to you.
This is being done for political purposes. Everybody knows how the court system works in New York. But when you have the verdict of it, only the belief overturned is going to is going to be happening two or three years from now. We all know this.
That's what happened in lower Manhattan was to interfere with an election. Which is why Speaker Johnson, myself included, and many Americans believe the Supreme Court should step into this matter. And to be clear, Joe Biden, there's no evidence that he had anything to do with this case. The Manhattan DA, as you know, began this investigation in 2018 before Joe Biden was even his party's.
No. I want to ask you about specifically what we've been hearing from Republicans and from Donald Trump claiming the Democrats are legally weaponizing the justice department against Mr. Trump. Why is it appropriate for Donald Trump then to call for prosecuting his political opponents, including President Biden?
Well, let me also explain this one. Now what he did say was, is that we have always had this kind of a gentleman's agreement that you do not go after the political leaders of the opposition party. When Donald Trump was president, he didn't have his Attorney general go after Hillary Clinton. When she did violate the Espionage act.
He did not give that order. They did not go and procure Hillary Clinton. But now you have a situation where main justice has weaponized the Justice Department to go after Donald Trump. You have Jack Smith who's chasing down Donald Trump on violating the Espionage Act.
But at the same time, Robert her knows that President Biden has violated the Espionage Act. Robert Herr is not prosecutor Biden. Jack Smith is trying to procure Donald Trump. Let me get out the Biden Justice Department obviously is also prosecuting Democrats.
Robert Menendez of New Jersey, Henry Cuellar of Texas right now, they just prosecuted Hunter Biden as well. So it's only weaponization when it is Republicans that are being prosecuted. That's not true. That's not even the same thing we're talking about here.
What you got with his name engraved on him from a foreign country. So that's what Bob Menendez situation is. Henry Crowd situations got into investigation. But it is without a doubt that these legal cases were all brought in the middle of a presidential election for one purpose, and that is to criminalize Donald Trump, that is to polarize Donald Trump, that is to persecute Donald Trump.
That's the only reason why you even bring these cases in the time frame that they're being brought. Again, there's been serious cases against Democrats as well. Let me ask you about another headline we've been watching. A Trump supporter in Texas.
Just this week, Congressman was arrested for making threats against an FBI agent who was involved in the Hunter Biden Investig investigation. Authorities say the agent received text messages and an explicit voicemail that said, in part, you can run, but you can't hide and we'll hunt you down and slaughter you like the traitorous dogs you are. Will you condemn those kinds of threats? Well, I don't.
First of all, I don't think that's appropriate for any citizen to say. I want to make sure I heard you clearly. We talk about a citizen. Who are you actually talking about?
I want to hear clearly before I flee. I have criminal complaint here. I can get into more details. Suffice to say this is an individual in Texas who was saying these things, allegedly in the form of text messages and voicemails to an FBI agent, a supporter of Donald Trump, who's making these, who's saying these things?
Well, listen, I don't support those comments. I think those comments aren't about, I don't think we should be doing that in our country. We have to make sure that we respect everybody in our, in our country, you have to be tolerant of all people, even when you disagree. Now, I will say that there is also a frustration amongst the American people.
It does not justify those comments. I want to be clear on this. But there is a frustration of the American people when it looks like the institutions and the pillars of our country are being eroded simply for political purposes. And it is without question that that is coming from the Biden administration.
They have spied on the American people. They have weaponized the Department of Justice against conservatives and now, of course, against President Trump. And people are getting very frustrated with that. And as we said, we're also prosecuting Democrats.
Let me ask you about some policy issues as they relate to Mr. Trump. This week, Mr. Trump floated the idea of getting rid of the federal income tax and replacing it with an all tariff policy.
Many economists say that that would help the rich and that it would hurt middle and lower income Americans in 2021. Congressman, you praise America as a beacon for free and fair trade throughout the entire world. So wouldn't the President's idea hurt tens of millions of Americans? Well, let me be direct about trade policy.
For a lot of our country's history, trade policy has not been written to the best interest of the American people. A lot of these trade policies have favored foreign countries. I'm definitely, I believe in free trade, but it has to be fair trade. The deals have to be equitable.
The deals that were written in the past, previous administrations were not equitable to the American people, to the American companies. Hold on a second, let me finish. Yeah, let me finish. I'll come to the policy now.
What I will say is that President Trump is thinking through all types of various policies to jumpstart our economy to make sure that we have a flourishing and thriving America. It's an idea, it's not concrete yet. A lot of things have to be fleshed out. I was in the room when this was brought up.
I talked to several of my colleagues who understand tariff policy, trade policy and tax policy in a lot more detail than I do. They said there's some merit to it, but there's some other things that have to be worked out. You also have to figure out how to deal with the taxation piece for people on the low end of the socioeconomic spectrum. This is a real proposal that he's looking to implement right now.
We know that under Donald Trump is four years in office. There are many ideas that the President is thinking through, all designed to make sure that America thrives and that the American people thrive. The Debt rose by $8.4 trillion when Donald Trump was in office. And also the Fed chair, who Donald Trump himself elected to, said this week that the economy is growing at a solid pace and we have a strong labor market.
I want to ask you, if I can, about that a little bit. Wouldn't this policy, though, hurt the very Americans, black Americans, that you were speaking to last night? Actually, I disagree with you because again, when you begin to go through public policy, you think about it from a 50,000 foot level, then you start to seal yourself down into the idea. You figure out all the details.
Let me Tell you what is hurting black Americans, the fact that under Joe Biden's economy, their purchasing power is being destroyed by Joe Bate. Joe Biden's radical inflation prices are up 20% across the board. So while unemployment might be low, wages, adjusted for inflation, are significantly down. How can a black person get ahead when you don't have, when you have less disposable income today than you had in 2017 and 2018?
In 2019? This is what a lot of the black business owners we talked to yesterday in Detroit were explaining to the president a couple of topics. The lowest unemployment rate for black Americans under Donald Trump was 5.3%. The lowest under Joe Biden was 4.7%.
Republicans are set to formally nominate Donald Trump at the party's convention in Milwaukee next month. Donald Trump, during his meeting with Republicans this week, called Milwaukee a horrible city. The campaign later clarified that he was talking about alleged voter fraud and the crime right there. So let me take those one at a time.
Murders in Milwaukee are down 39% since last year. And the Trump campaign's own election investigator in 2020 said that Wisconsin's results were legit. So if Mr. Trump feels so strongly that Milwaukee is a horrible city, why is he having his convention there?
Well, two things. First of all, when you bring these comments up, please bring them in context. I'm glad that you mentioned what the campaign said afterwards, but I noticed that your network and a lot of the press are not doing that with respect to Milwaukee. He was talking about allegations of voter fraud and also the crime rate.
And I think it's important for people to understand your murder rate must may be down, but that doesn't mean a violent crime, et cetera, are also lower. Those are two different pieces of crime. Obviously murders, the most heinous of them all. Now, when it comes to the city of Milwaukee, the reason.
Let me finish. Now we talk about the, about Milwaukee. The reason why the RNC and President Trump wants to go to Milwaukee is because we know there are voters in the state of Wisconsin, like voters all across America, who are frustrated with what has happened to our country under Joe Biden. Immigration massively up and out of control.
The labor markets, okay, not great. Wages are down when you adjust them for inflation. People are struggling to get to try to make ends meet in Joe Biden's America. So the president's taking his message everywhere.
And I'm city of Milwaukee. I apologize for interruption. A lot to get to. We should note it's not just the murder rate.
Overall violent crime has fallen during Biden's presidency is now at a near 50 year low. Finally, some news about your future. Mr. Trump said yesterday that your name is very high on his list of people he's considering as a running mate.
Would you be ready on day one to serve as commander in chief if necessary? Well, I think if you're stepping step into that job, it's obviously the toughest job, the biggest job, not just in our politics or really frankly in the world. Look, I think that I have an ability to step in. I'm actually pretty intelligent.
I can sit through issues really, really well. It's about judgment, it's about logic, strengths, about how you make decisions at the end of the day and then you cannot discount the facts that you have a lot of people who are very qualified to be around to help you do that job and do what's in the best interest of the American people. Do I believe in myself 100%? I do.
And so you know, we'll see what President Trump decides. I'm going to support whatever he does. Congressman Byron, we appreciate you making time to speak to us today. Thank you very much.
When we come back, more than eight months after the Israel Hamas war began, President Biden has yet to secure a ceasefire and he says he's not confident of the deal happening soon. Democrat Congressman Ro Khanna, a surrogate for the Biden campaign, joins me next. Drive off in a new Hyundai Launcher today with $0 down during the Hyundai Advantage sales event. Take advantage of the $1,000 spring drive bonus and lease the 2026 lingerie essential for just $73 weekly at 4.99% for 60 months.
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Huntycanada.com or your local dealer for details. Welcome back to the G7 summit with World leaders present by to address the ongoing battle between Israel and Hamas that has inflamed divisions among many Americans. I've laid out an approach that has been endorsed by the UN Security Council, by the G7, by the Israelis. And the biggest hang up so far is Hamas refusing to sign on even though they have submitted something similar.
Democrat Congressman Rohana of California, a top surrogate for the Biden campaign who has been critical of the President's approach to the war, joins me now. Congressman Khanna, welcome to me the President. Happy Father's Day to day as well here. Happy Father's Day to you and to the viewers, I appreciate it.
Thank you. Hamas has balked at every ceasefire proposal. As you have witnessed. They're holding out for a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops and a permanent ceasefire.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the leader of Hamas called civilian losses in Gaza necess sacrifices. What more you propose President Biden should be doing if Hamas will not agree? Well, the President has set forth a clear vision and I support the ceasefire proposal and release of hostages that he set out. The UN has endorsed it.
The Arab League has endorsed it. We need Egypt and Qatar to put more pressure on Hamas. Hamas is saying, well, you can't have phases. You need everything done on phase one.
That's unrealistic. There needs to be more pressure, but there also needs to be more pressure on Netanyahu. Benny Gantz has been all over Israeli TV saying that Netanyahu has been undermining a hostage deal. And it's a philosophical difference here.
Net against is saying prioritize the hostage deal in the peace. Netanyahu saying they want to destroy military all of Hamas. And I don't think that's achievable. Let me ask you specifically about Benjamin Netanyahu.
By invitation of Congress. Netanyahu is going to be speaking before a joint session of Congress to take place next month in July. Some Democrats are suggesting forms of protest. What do you think that should look like?
And will you attend his address? I will not attend. I said that if he wants to come to speak to members of Congress about how to end the war and police hostages, I would be fine doing that. But I'm not going to sit in a one way lecture.
And I agree with Representative Clyburn. I mean how he treated President Obama. He should not expect Reps of Prosky. That said, I think it should be polite.
We're not going to make a big deal about it. He's obviously addressing the Congress and there has to be decorum. Let me ask you about the big picture as it relates to foreign policy. Right now former President Trump and his allies have made the argument that October 7, the attack on Israel and Russia's invasion of Ukraine both happened not when Donald Trump was in office, but when Joe Biden was in office.
Why should Americans consider that argument when they're deciding how to vote this fall? There used to be that we were bipartisan on foreign policy. And you can't blame President Biden or Trump for Putin's evil. I mean Putin invaded a sovereign country on Ukraine.
And now the question is philosophically, are we going to stand up for Ukraine's integrity. I mean, Putin's peace deal on the table. He wants one fifth of all of Ukraine. He wants more territory of Ukraine than he's currently occupied.
And so the question for both of the candidates should be, are you going to agree to Putin's term? Biden hasn't. We've supported Ukraine Day. Would Trump agree to Putin's terms?
Let me ask if I can about this broadly. The president has seen a big erosion as it relates to young voters that you've been speaking to a lot in your campaigning here, specifically as it relates to war in Gaza. You said back in February that even if President Biden were to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza, there would still need to be a healing period before Democrats. These young voters may be able to come back and be comfortable with his leadership again.
That was four months ago. Is the president running out of time to win back some of these young voters? Well, obviously we're running out of time. Is more people dying and we have to remember the humanitarian stakes.
But yes, it's a challenge for our party. Young people want the war to end, but what young people want is a vision. And the president started that with a C spark. I hope he can go further.
And he should call for two states. He should say in a second term he's going to convene a peace conference in the Middle east recognizing a Palestinian state without Hamas. Work with Egypt, Saudi Arabia on it. I may interrupt you.
I'll ask you a couple other topics quickly on policy on immigration, Republicans tanked by partisan border security bill, as you know. So the president recently took executive action to restrict the number of migrants who concede asylum who are entering the United States. You're among many Democrats who've been critical of this policy. An ACLU lawsuit says the president's plan is legally indistinguishable from the Trump ban.
Do you agree? I don't think it's the right policy. I understand the president's frustration. He has tried for three years, not six months, three years to get Congress to fund immigration judges, border patrol.
We haven't done it. But this is not going to solve the issue. We give an artificial cab and people are basically going to go to gangs and come through non port of entries. And we don't want to have that situation on the border.
Let me ask you about Hunter Biden, who's convicted on gun charges this week. He'll be back in the court on tax charges in California, as you know, later this year. Even though Hunter Biden is not on the ballot the case this fall could raise some potentially damaging details about Hunter Biden's business dealings. How concerned should Democrats be about another high profile trial in the waning weeks of this campaign season?
It won't be an issue because Democrats actually believe in the rule. U.S. representative Donald would you accept the Trump case even if it went to appeal? He didn't say yes, I would accept it if it was overturned.
And I accept whatever the judicial process is with Hunter Biden. This is really about a father's love for a son of someone who has had addiction. And he understands that he will have legal consequences. The president is prepared to deal with that with the love of father on Father's Day.
I think that's what's going to come out. The president love and concern for someone who's had a difficult time just a few weeks from now, not even a few weeks from elimination. Now we're going to see Donald Trump and Joe Biden together on stage at the debate. Mr.
Trump just turned 78 this past week. Joe Biden, as you know, is 81 years old. But according to our polling, Americans are much more concerned about present Biden mental and physical fitness than they are about Donald Trump's. Why is that?
Some of it is aesthetic. I mean, Donald Trump has been blessed with good genes or whatever he does. But I think that the real issue, the president always delivers in big moments. He did in the State of the Union.
And people are gonna see the difference. Does Donald Trump want to give a part of Ukraine? Does he want to have tariffs? They're gonna increase prices for folks.
President Biden has brought back manufacturing factories. How many factories did Donald Trump bring back? Let's have a debate about the different visions of America. Let me ask you finally about your future.
When you're recently in New Hampshire, a local Democrat there introduced you, sir, as the fifth member of their delegation because you've been there so often. Is the presidential bid something that you would consider in the future? I'm so focused, as is everyone. I'm trying to get President Biden elected.
But I will say this, this country is hungry after that for a new generation. We've got tremendous talent in our party and there are young people on the other side as well. And I'm looking forward after President Biden is reelected to a new generation lead. Congressman o', Connor, we appreciate your time.
Thank you again to you. And when we come back, neither Donald Trump nor Joe Biden has debated in more than 1300 days. Their last debate performance against one another nearly four years ago. Both men facing unique challenges as they prepare for their first 2024 showdown.
The panel is next. Welcome back. The panel is here, NBC News Washington correspondent Nish Alcindor Jonathan Martin, politics bureau chief and senior politico columnist for Politico, both Ty Strong today. Jonathan, former congressman, Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Florida and Mark Short, the former chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence.
Let me start with you, some of your reporting. We know access to abortion pills remains legal after the Supreme Court this week sends the issue back to a lower court of the White House is making the point that this issue is not done. You have new reporting for us on the Biden campaign plans to lean into the the topic of topic of reproductive rights. What can you tell us?
That's right. I got exclusive details on what really a robust messaging campaign by the Biden campaign to really focus on abortion basis as a uniquely mobilizing issue. So they're holding something like 30 events, more than 30 events in Battleground cities across this country. And they're making a case that really Joe Biden is the one that's going to keep women safe and that former President Donald Trump put a number of women in danger because he was one who nominated the justice who overturned Roe v.
Wade. And they're also going to be rolling out a number of different things, including ads featuring women telling personal stories. I actually talked to one of the women who's gonna be part of this, Caitlyn Cash. She lives in Austin, Texas.
She had to flee the state of Texas to get an abortion after she learned 13 weeks that the video she was carrying had a fatal birth defect. She tells me that she's a white empowerment because part of this is also going to be training people, training women to tell their own stories. So Van Camping is really leaning in on this, especially because it's coming just a few days before that first debate between of course, Trump and Biden. Yeah.
And in conjunction with the second anniversary of the Dobbs decision, as you, Jonathan Tu, Mr. Trump has said that Republicans shouldn't be talking about abortion this week behind closed doors with Republicans. He said they should be talking about it more. What is the way forward for Republicans on this topic to avoid it?
No, look, I think if Donald Trump in the party leaders have their druthers, they would talk about immigration, inflation and Joe Biden's age every day and twice on Sundays. I think that's going to be their preference. Look, there's no unified strategy on the apportionation in the gop, which is why they want to avoid it, it's been a political loser for them since the Dobbs came down and tried to avoid. The challenge for Democrats, of course, is that Jo Biden isn't comfortable talking about the issue.
It never has, which is why the university surrogates largely press that issue for the bid. Of course, the big moment, Mark, as you know, is the debate coming up now 11 days away. The first time, as we did the math, that they'll have seen of either of them apart, participated in a debate in 1300 plus days. Gear who has more at stake?
I think Joe Biden does. I think the greater question is about his stamina, his fragility. And I think the reality is, regardless of Trump's performance, his support's gonna be the same. But I think that for Joe Biden as well, he presented himself four years ago as a candidate who would bring back normalcy and the drama, I think for a lot of voters, you look out there and you see war in Eastern Europe, war in the Middle east, chaos at our border, chaos on college campuses, inflation driving our economy.
And if they want assurance that he's capable for this, he needs to have his strong form. Stephanie, has Joe Biden up to the task in that debate? I think he has an opportunity in this debate to address the two key concerns voters have about him. One is age, and the second is handling of the economy on age.
He needs to show up like he did for the State of the Union and give a fiery presentation and really take Donald Trump on. And then on the economy, he has to actually connect with people about their concerns over cost and, and kind of pivot from where he has been, which is to try to convince them that his policies have been good and that things are okay. That isn't working. So he has an opportunity to turn the page here and make big dies on the issue of abortion.
I mean, this is uniquely mobilizing, the Biden campaign says. And they think that because poll and polls, after polls and interviews that I've done with voters, they say abortion units are the top issue. It's an issue that's going to motivate how they actually vote. Yeah.
The Supreme Court decision on the pressure on that, saying for now on standing the pill to continue to be acceptable. You're going to hear from President Biden, Vice President Harrison, remember people saying, okay, it's safe for now. But they're arguing that Donald Trump is trying to implement a federal ban on abortion. Even though Trump is saying that the state are saying, you can't trust Republicans here.
They are largely performative these debates in many ways and this is the third to be performing with a different set of rules. There is no studio audience. There is now a mute button. Will you shut up man.
Sometimes it's those interruptions can be the most dramatic telling about these candidates. What do you make which some of us had at color at that point of debate are still recovering from that high Y range of regressed watching and writing about it. Unforgettable for the American people too. That Trump Biden debate 20 Look I think it's going to create a better debate to have no studio audience.
Cut those mics. I think we'll have a better exchange. I don't think Biden ultimately had a choice here. I think he the principal Joe Biden himself wanted to actually debate which was counts.
Obviously he has a vote and I think also his staff realized that trial was not breaking through the head to try to get Trump back in the cable frame make Trump the issue has debate. Here's the risk. Biden wants to use a 90 minute debate to show the American voter. Don't believe those clips.
Don't believe that splice video. I'm not somebody who's losing it. I can be up here for 90 minutes and I can do if he had that moment to your point's FBI is going to be helpful. The risk is he does have a bad moment and there's a 10 second viral video that is all folks recall from that debate.
That's the risk. Martha, asked about the top of the vice presidential picks we talked one of the potential pixels earlier today. You served for the former vice president Mike Pence. How important is this election for Donald Trump's to get?
I think it's less important than it was eight years ago, Peter. I think at that time we had a very divided Republican party drew call Ted Cruz wanted to convention refused to endorse Trump and so having Mike Pence take a unified conservatism party he has a party unified right now. I don't think there's something that he needs. I think somebody who can be there and represent a broad spectrum of policy positions.
But I think who is that amongst the names that we're here is Mike Pence. I think that probably the names Melissa, probably Rubio is somebody who presents that broader set of issues for the former president. But you know I think that if he's looking for a mini Trump then he'll probably end up with J.D. vance and I think that if he's looking for financial help with Bergman do you really think he wants somebody who has policy for success of this.
But you know what he said about your former. The former vice president was a huge Tijuana. I think he's gonna look for somebody who will do his bidding and not put up the same sort of resistance based on values and characters that Vice President Pence did. We're talking about vice president.
Who's Vice President Conlan Harris debating. I was just talking in her office this morning at someone from her office and they told me that really whoever he picks is going to turn into someone who's gonna give any Trump. They're gonna categorize that person as choosing Trump over the country. So really, I think the vice president isn't really saying that she has something that she's looking forward to debating here because she thinks whoever she's gonna be debating is gonna be someone is really just echoing what Donald Trump is saying.
I think they attacked Republicans. I also hear that disrespecting someone, whoever that person is, to morph into Donald Trump and to morph into all of his speeches. Jonathan, we've seen criminal history. First the first former president ever be convicted of the crime.
Now the first son of a sitting president to be convicted of a crime hunter Biden convicted on those gun charges. He has another trial on tax charges. This fallout takes place in September there. How big of a deal is this situation for the Biden campaign?
Well, I think it matters to the extent that let Trump and his lieutenants try to muddy the waters about Trump's criminal exposure. It should be clear it's not the same thing. The former President facing nearly 100 felony charges and the other is the son of the president. Very, very different.
Obviously, from a political standpoint, yeah, it's not helpful for the Biden campaign to have this out there and create an opportunity for the Trump folks. This is what the Trump campaign does pretty effectively, which is try to make this false equivalence happen. And we're gonna see them try to do that for months here. I think though it does highlight a contrast between Biden and Trump.
And Biden, as painful and personal as this is, has accepted the outcome of the justice system and is moving on, whereas Trump continues and the Republicans continue to try to undermine our justice system. That's a real. After overturning the election results, he's now asking public speaker to help him overturn the results of his own conviction. Mark.
Well, look, I looked at yesterday. I seen him go to Detroit and appeal to African American voters is a terrific contrast to vibe me in Hollywood trying to get Hollywood actors who I think was wrong was when he begged his mission gets off message and starts talking about January 6th again. It's counterproductive when he has. It's like every time he's actually making this positive contrast, he brings it back.
He can't help himself. Yeah, we're already walking July. We'll see there. I trust as well when we come back.
As a times meeting with Pope Francis on Friday, mark the 32nd time the US president has met with the leader of the Catholic Church. Our Meet the Press minutes is next. Welcome back. On Friday, Pope Francis hosted more than 100 comedians and actors at the Vatican, including Jimmy Fallon, Whoopi Goldberg and Chris Rock.
The pope told them in the midst of so much gloomy news, you have the power to spread peace and smiles. President Biden also met with Pope Francis for the second time on the sidelines of the G7 summit. An audience with the pope is a privilege that was also extended to this broadcast. Longtime moderator Tim Rossert.
Tim passed away 16 years ago this week, just days after a trip he made to the Vatican after the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005. Tim reflected on the impact meeting him in the 80s had on his life this morning. Permit me a personal memory as a Catholic layman and a father. Easter Week, 1985.
NBC News and the Today show spent a historic week at the Vatican. The next year, my family returned. The pope blessed the mom, then the dad, then his undivided attention, attention on our baby Luke. He hugged him, then kissed his forehead, saying all the while, very nice, very nice, very nice.
Then that smile. Luke was truly mesmerized by this most holy man. That moment, that blessing will be with us forever. Very nice indeed.
Amanda, we missed him. When we come back for the Tony Awards tonight, Christmas meet the moment conversation with actor Michael Pierogli is next. Welcome back. It is showtime for Broadway's biggest fans.
The 77th annual Tony Awards are at Lincoln center tonight. One of the newest stars on the stage has been fixed under TV for decades after. Michael Imperioli is best known for playing liars and church. From the star making role as a troubled monster in the Sopranos to a womanizing Hollywood producer in the White Lotus.
You ever feel like nothing good was ever gonna happen to you? Yeah. And nothing did. So what?
You never showed me how to put others first. You always put yourself first. Always. So I did the same thing.
Now Imperiali's latest project examines how far someone will go to expose the truth. He stars alongside Succession's Jeremy Strong in a new revival of the 1882 Ibsen classic an Enemy of the People. The play explores the tension between science and politics and has now been nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Revival. Kristin recently sat down with Imperioli for a Meet the Moment conversation and asked him about making his Broadway debut.
I think doing a Broadway show is the last thing on my bucket list as an actor, to be honest. I mean, working with Marlon Brando was always there, but that's never gonna happen. But I always wanted to do a Broadway show. I knew this play and I loved it.
So this is the perfect storm to do a Broadway show. And, you know, for me, it's like being part of this history and legacy of great theater artists. As an actor, what is the impact on you to have the audience so close? Well, I find it really, really exciting to have the audience that close.
And, you know, you really feel it at the end when I don't want to give anything away. But he's saying, you know, we have to imagine that someday, you know, the truth will be valued and the water will be safe and clean. This is written a long time ago, you know, and those words make a lot of sense to everybody. The ending of the play is haunting in some ways, because it feels like Jeremy Strong is reaching into the depths of everyone's soul and saying what everyone has thought at one point or another.
And yet this play was written in 1882 by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. How do you think it's still. How is it that it could have been written yesterday? And how does that impact you?
You know, these arguments where science and politics clash meet. Climate change is obviously a really easy parallel to make, Right. Where a lot of scientists or most scientists are saying that, yes, you know, carbon emissions and fossil fuels are changing the weather to disastrous effects, and it's just going to get worse if we don't do something. That's pretty much the consensus.
But not everybody believes that not all politicians want to make decisions and policies that are based on that kind of science. Why? Well, because economic interests, large oil companies that go under, you know, are funding politicians and lobbying politicians and jobs that might be lost or although jobs can be created. And, you know, where you see politicians making decisions based on economics now, we face a similar thing during the pandemic.
So it's like, should we shut down the economy? Economy? Do people go out of business? Businesses closed during the pandemic certainly did.
Was that the best decision? Were there other choices to make? I mean, there are people who are saying we should try herd immunity and Some people are going to die and some people are going to live. You know, we live through all these things and are living through them.
After the show, sometimes people wait outside to say hi and you see people saying, you know, this play is impacting them because they're living this. You know, they, they don't necessarily trust their leaders or people because they have political motivations rather than the, you know, motivations for the well being of the citizens. Is that part of what drew you to this play? The fact that, yes, it was written in the 1800s, but there's so many parallels to today, to our world?
Oh yeah, it's extremely relevant of it. Extremely. Why did you want to do this role? I think it's a, I think it's a really important play for now.
You know, the fact that it's so old and it's 140 years old really means that, wow, we haven't learned our lesson. What do you think the significance of that moment is where Jeremy Strong is addressing the audience as the community members, all of us, and saying, at least we won't have to deal with this in America. When he says that line, America won't have to deal with this, which he really says after they've basically beat him up and vandalized his house. People applaud when they hear the, that line.
You know, we looked at during rehearsal videos from January 6th. I mean, that, that, you know, the violence that happens in our play, you know, we made a direct parallel to what happened because there's misinformation and there's manipulation of listen, people, you know, attack cattle based on absolute lies. That was confirmed by pretty much every, you know, judge and, you know, expert and everybody lies and lust for power and people were hurt and people died as a result of that. So you watched 1-6-video to prepare for what is frankly one of the toughest scenes in the entire play, which is when your brother in the play is getting physical assaulted.
Why was that important to go back to January 6th? You know, it's just something we were talking about, you know, how quickly these, you know, because it starts with words and ideas, that scene, and how quickly it turns into violence. And the real world literally collided with this production during one of the previews of the play when during the very brief pause of the play, climate activists stood up and started shouting, I object to the sentencing of scientists. They had either seen the play or got a copy of the script because they knew exactly where to interject as a place where the, the moderator of the town hall says, if there's no further objections, Dr.
Stockman may speak. And someone said, upset I have. There's no theater on a dead planet. At that point, still thinking that he may be a plant.
And part of the director put in to throw me a curveball. But I just went out and started pushing him out of the I was not trying to hurt him. I was doing it very safely. But then I realized, oh, he's a real activist.
And then there were some other activists who stood up in different parts of the theater. You know, I wasn't offended. I wasn't like, how dare they interrupt my play. I think they did it in a constructive, respectful way.
Although if it happened in the first three scenes, it would have been very kind of disrespectful. How do you see the role of art, of theater, of acting in our politics in our world today? People receive so much information these days constantly through social media, through television, through, you know, news all the time. And a story like this, you know, engaging in a story can really give, you know, a kind of wider perspective and maybe, you know, make the person think for themselves about the issue.
How do I really feel about this? And, you know, two hours sitting in that environment just in this story can you know, maybe affect the brain a little bit differently to have you settle down and think into it a little into these issues a little more. And by the way, tomorrow on today, Tom Yama sits down with cast of the Sopranos to celebrate the show's 25th anniversary. They reflect on the show's enduring legacy and share memories of their late co star James Gandolfini.
That's all for today. We appreciate you watching. Most importantly, happy Father's Day to all you dads, my dad among them. We are back next week because if it's Sunday, it's you, me.
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