Details about payments mr. Cohen arranged with woman who alleged sexual encounters with President Trump, including mr. Trumps knowledge of those deals. The journal report which cited people close to cohen and others familiar with prosecutors discussions posted late last night. It preceded a tweet from the president at 1 10 in the morning washington time, trump writing in all caps, no collusion, rigged witch hunt. And Republican Leaders remain silent but the rank and file did weigh in. Former president ial candidate mitt romney tweeted yesterday, the events of the last 24 hours confirm that conduct by highplaced individuals was both dishonorable and illegal. Also confirmed is my faith is our Justice System and my conviction that we are a nation committed to the rule of law. Senator ben sasse released a statement writing, quote, Paul Manafort is a Founding Member of the dc swamp and Michael Cohen is the goth am version of the
Updates of the days news. Manafort, well, thats an issue that they are concerned about. All right. Well delve into the pardon issue in just a second. But as far as the president when it comes to this level of calm or this uncertainty of what hell do, what can you tell us about that . Reporter well, again, since i mean i primarily cover capitol hill, so i get i have a better perspective of their response to what the president s thinking. But, again, sometimes one person mentioned to me this could be kind of the calm in the eye of the storm. And, again, once that eye moves forward, you know, the storm erupts and, you know, just seeing the tweet last night at 1 00 in the morning, i wasnt even awake at 1 00 in the morning and he usually gets up really early and tweets early in the morning. It was a late night for the president. Let me ask you really quickly, molly, about some of the reaction on capitol hill in terms of potentially pardoning Paul Manafort. Is there an appetite for republicans to defend a
president ial pardon of Paul Manafort . What are you hearing . Reporter no. No, no, no. In fact, republicans tell us theyre warning the president against doing Something Like that. Even jeff flake, who is a longtime critic of the president who has often, you know, criticized by himself by the president at rallies and what not, he said, listen, that would be a major mistake. Even if Paul Manafort was pardoned by the president , there still could be State Charges so it is hard to see how he would avoid prison time. Again, thats one thing the republicans are saying, listen, we dont want to delve into the other issues. You know, from the charges seen yesterday or on tuesday, we dont see russian collusion and thats what the Senate Intelligence committee and the Senate Republicans are focusing on. However, Pardoning Manafort or cohen would just be a step too far is what Lindsey Graham said. For Lindsey Graham to say that, thats a big deal. Yeah, Lindsey Graham, john
cornyn and collins among those who have expressed support in washington. Thank you. To the latest in the Mollie Tibbetts case, the suspect charged in the death of the iowa college student, made his first appearance in court. He was ordered held on 5 million bond as controversy erupts over his legal status. Reporter do you have anything to say for yourself . 24yearold immigrant Christhian Rivera appearing in court. You have been charged with murder in the first degree. Reporter Authorities Say he is from mexico and was in the country illegally. He worked for four years at a small familyrun dairy farm owned by a prominent republican family. They said they checked his documentation in a Government System but learned he gave a
false name. What we learned in the last 24 hours is our employee was not who he said he was. Reporter lang said he noticed no changes in his behavior and he continued to show up after mollies disappearance. This guy stayed around for 35 days and nobody noticed anything different. Reporter he said his client was working in the country legal. In a facebook book, her aunt wrote, remember that evil comes in every color. They should be back in their own country. I dont think him being in an illegal immigrant had anything to do with what he did. Our thanks to nbcs ron mott for that report. President trump is weighing in on the case at his rally on monday night and in a video he posted on his official twitter page. And you saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful young woman. Should have never happened. Illegally in our country. Weve had a huge impact, but the
laws are so bad, the Immigration Laws are such a disgrace. We are getting them changed but we have to get more republicans. Mollie tibbetts, an incredible young woman is now permanently separated from her family. We need the wall. We need our Immigration Laws changed. We need our border laws changed. We need republicans to do it because the democrats arent going to do it. Now, the lawyer for tibbetts accused murderer says his client was in iowa illegal but employers say he gave a false name when checked on a Government System. Still ahead, China Retaliates as a new round of u. S. Tariffs kick in overnight. Were going live to beijing for reaction. Plus, investigators in new york come calling after Michael Cohens lawyer says his client has a story to tell. This time it involves the trump
foundation. Were back in a moment. So you have, your headphones, chair, new laptop, 24 7 tech support. Yep, thanks guys. I think he might need some support. Yes. Start them off right, with the School Supplies they need at low prices all summer long. Like these for only 2 or less at office depot officemax. Mom okay we need to get all your School Supplies today. School. Grade. Done. Done. Hit the Snooze Button and get low prices on School Supplies all summer long. Like these for only 2 or less at office depot officemax. Like these for only 2 or less experience the versatility of utility. At the lexus golden opportunity sales event. Lease the 2018 rx 350 and rx 350 all wheel drive for these terms. Experience amazing at your lexus dealer. But theres one. That blows them all out of the water. Hydro boost water gel from neutrogena®. With Hyaluronic Acid it goes beneath the surface to plump skin cells from within and lock in hydration leaving skin so supple, it actually bounces back. The results will blow you away hydro boost and our gentle exfoliating cleanser from neutrogena®
welcome back. The trade battle between the worlds two largest economies continues to escalate as the latest round of u. S. Tariffs on chinese goods kicked in at midnight earlier today. The 25 tax impacts 16 billion worth of chinese goods, and as beijing promised china retaliated with reciprocal tariffs of equal value. Janis Mackey Frayer joining us live from beijing. Good to have you with us. What is the latest . There was optimism that talks would alleviate or walkback this cliffhanger, but it seals it has not happened. No, the trade war continues to escalate and china is upping the ante. Neither side appears willing to compromise or back down. China says it is retaliating by filing a lawsuit with the world trade organization, claiming that these new u. S. Tariffs
violate wto rules. It is a 25 u. S. Levy on 16 billion worth of goods, 279 goods, things like farm equipment, semi conductors, motorcycles. As well, china is saying it will slap tariffs on 16 billion worth of u. S. Goods, specifically cars, buses and coal. There have been trade talks happening with both sides in washington, but so far theres been very little progress and American Companies and Industry Groups have been complaining to Trade Representatives saying, look, this is hurting our companies, this is hurting the economy, it is impacting the Global Supply chain, and ultimately it is going to be the u. S. Consumer that is going to pay the higher price. Meanwhile, we are seeing it play out in state media here. The newspapers are carrying story how the u. S. Auto industry is fearful and Auto Companies are, quote, losing sleep at night in michigan. President trump though doesnt appear to be listening to the concerns. He said in july that if need be
he will put tariffs on every chinese items that comes into the united states. We are talking half a trillion dollars worth of goods. Ayman. Incredible. Janis Mackey Frayer for us live in beijing. Thanks. Lets get a check on the weather with nbc meteorologist bill karins. Bill, major concern for all of our friends out there in hawaii as Hurricane Lane makes its way closer. We are about to see proof, louis, you dont need direct landfall from a hurricane to have A Billion DollarWeather Disaster. I would be shocked if it doesnt turn into A Billion DollarWeather Disaster because of the rain falling in the mountains. You will get water in places it is not supposed to be and a lot of damage from it. The storm is starting to make its mark. One area near hilo has reported a foot of rain overnight. A foot, already. The storm is 200 miles away from the big island. You can see it has lost a little bit of definition of the eye. We do expect it to do some weakening over the next 72
hours. Right now it is still 145milesperhour winds. The forecast from the Hurricane Center hasnt hanged much so it is not going to get closer to the islands. It is still going to go to the north and make a turn away from the areas like honolulu. But the right side of the storm is the rainy side. You can already see on the radar here. Here is the eye of the storm. You can still see the welldefined eye. This is already a Flash Flood Warning for the eastern half of the big island of hawaii where eight to twelve inches have been widespread. The rainfall forecast is 10 to 20 inches, not just on the big island but through maui. Every island has a chance to get hit. Maybe numerous, maybe all of them will need help in the days ahead. In the lower 48 is a nice, quiet day. Mid atlantic, northeast beautiful. Showers and thunderstorms in florida. Hot in texas, but all of our thoughts and eyes will be on our
hawaiian island friend. It will be a tough go for them. Still ahead, as the Washington Post notes the president tweeted about africa for the first time as president , defending whites in south africa. It appears he got the idea after watching fox news last night. Tell you all about it when we come back. Smuggled booze and dodged the law. Even when they brought you in, they could never hold you down. When i built my family tree and found you, i found my sense of adventure. I set off on a new life, a million miles away. Im heidi choiniere, and this is my ancestry story. Now with over 10 billion historical records, discover your story. Get started for free at ancestry. Com discover your story. The first survivor of alzis out there. Ase and the Alzheimers Association is going to make it happen. But we wont get there without you. Join the fight with the Alzheimers Association. Little things can be a big deal. Thats why theres otezla. Otezla is not a cream. Its a pill that treats moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis differently. With otezla, 75 clearer skin is achievable. Dont use if youre allergic to otezla. It may cause severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Otezla is associated with. An increased risk of depression. Tell your doctor if you have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts,. Or if these feelings develop. Some people taking otezla reported weight loss. Your doctor should monitor your weight and may stop treatment. Upper respiratory tract infection and headache may occur. Tell your doctor about your medicines and if youre pregnant or planning to be. Otezla. Show more of you. Welcome back many time now for sports. Urban meyer will remain ohio states head football coach. They announced after an allday meeting of the board of
trustees. They announced, however, he will be suspended for the first three games of the season and without pay and will not be permitted to take part in the buckeyes opening. He will be suspended through september 16th. He was placed on paid administrative leave after questions were made about his handling of Domestic Abuse allegations. The investigation launched by the school were outlined in a Statement Last night saying in part, although neither urban meyer nor gene smith condoned or covered up the alleged Domestic Abuse by zach smith, they failed to take sufficient Management Action relating to zach smiths misconduct and retained an Assistant Coach who was not acting as an appropriate model for the studentathletes. I want to apologize to buckeye nation. I followed my heart, not my
head. I fell short in pursuing full information because at each juncture i gave zach smith the benefit of the doubt. I did not know everything about zach smith, which is what he was doing and im pleased that the report made this very clear. However, i should have demanded more from him and recognized red flags. Turning now to Major League Baseball where the red sox wont let the indians threaten the sweep in what could be a preview of the American League playoff, notching a win in the third of a fourgame series in boston, 104 last night. The victory was highlighted by the red tox fiverun fourth inning including Xander Bogaerts two home runs oh, think we have the wrong tape there. We switched it around. That is seattle. Following a home run hit in the top of the ninth inning. The players looking at the camera, staring it down as they take the win in that one, guys. A little mixup there
unfortunately with our sports tape. I like that synchronized stare that the Houston Astros were i think it was the Houston Astros doing that. Seems they got the coordination down. They have it down. We should practice it here. It will take a lot of time to get it. Nice stare there. Thanks a lot. Still ahead, a look at the mornings top talkers including how the white house is responding to the legal pressure after the president s former lawyer pleaded guilty and his Campaign Chair was found guilty. Plus, donald trump calls it a witch hunt but it seems more and more americans are supporting bob mueller as confidence in his investigation grows. Well bring you the numbers. With my bladder leakage, the products ive tried just didnt fit right. They were very saggy. Its getting in the way of our camping trips. But with new sizes, depend fitflex is made for me. Introducing more sizes for better comfort. New depend fitflex underwear is guaranteed to be your best fit. Your hair is so soft did you use head and shoulders two in one . I did mom. Wanna try it . Yes. It intensely moisturizes your hair and scalp and keeps you flake free. Manolo . Look at my soft hair. I should be in the shot now too. Try head and shoulders two in one. Gentle means everything to you and to us. So at johnsons, we improved everything. We used 50 fewer ingredients. Took out dyes, parabens, phthalates and sulfates. Beat the top Safety Standards in the world and added one handed pumps. Gentle means pure, gentle means safe, gentle means love. The new johnsons®. Good to be back with you. Im Frances Rivera in for yasmin alongside Ayman Mohyeldin and louis bergdorf. It is the bottom of the hour. Lets get the morning started with top stories. President trump and the white house are working to down play the legal troubles that the president s former lawyer and former campaign chief. The president took to twitter yesterday to defend Paul Manafort and he is now changing his story over what he knew about Hush Money Payments to women by Michael Cohen. Nbc new chief White House CorrespondentHallie Jackson has more. Reporter after a double blow from two confidantes turned criminals, President Trump is defending what he knew and when about the payments his former lawyer made, meant to keep two women quiet about alleged affairs. Did you know about the payments . Later on i knew, later on. And they werent taken out of Campaign Finance. Thats a big thing. That