ratchet up the rhetoric. what's the rationale between huckabee's comments? >> he communicated it well right now. this is a different landscape. this is the summer of the donald and it is his inflammatory and at sometimes incendiary rhetoric that force odd there candidates to go to great lengths at times to be heard or physically seen. we saw rand paul torching the tax code. lindsey graham smashing his cellphone after the donald gave out his phone number. here from mike huckabee an issue broadly popular among the. s are. they do not support this t. >> pat: orthis administration's deal with iran. the language they may question but the issue is more broadly one that mike huckabee was on to and by saying the language he was used sirius xm over the weekend have got a response from the president. ultimately allowed him to double down on the comments to raise money off the comments and then to show up on the "today" show this morning to demonstrate his confrontational demeanor of a topic he feels passionate about. it serves him well as he tries to get heard and seen and most importantly to stay in that top ten of republicans ahead of next month's first in the nation prime time gop debate. >> m saying that he would use those words again as president. nbc's peter alexander, thank you very much. mike huckabee and reaction to his comments is the focus of bing pulse question today. do you find mike huckabee's holocaust comments to be fair game or offensive? the pulse is live. go to pulse.msnbc.com and let us know what you think and we will have up to the minute realtime results for you later in the show. with me now is abby huntsman, cohost of "the cycle" here and jonathan capehart and msnbc contributor. lots to get to. huckabee clearly thinks that this kind of -- these words, these comments will elevate him in what's pretty much become an all out slug vest. enough to say we're not talking about donald trump right now. that's later after we talk about huckabee. so it's s. that working? >> almost impossible not to talk about trump because this is the biggest field eve ever seen running on the republican side and what none of them thought they would be faced with is having to run against donald trump having to out trump drufr. mike huckabee is trying to find his lane and donald trump is going after very much the same folks who would normally support mike huckabee. so he's trying to figure out how do i say things i'm passionate about that actually make buzz make the headlines that allow my base to rally behind me. as peter alexander was saying to raise money, to all the things i need right now in the short term to win a state like iowa. >> he's not a stranger to controversial items. in his book, the whole jay-z, pimping beyonce comments. >> transgender comments recent wily. >> amongst other ones too. supporting the duggar a lot of controversy there. i want to play what clinton said about huckabee a few moments guy in new hampshire. let's listen to that. >> this went over the line. and ambassador determiner erdurmer made that very clear. it was not appropriate. >> does a comment like huckabees help the democrats in this sense? >> it sets up a clear contrast. that's for sure. as we saw with -- by what the president did overseas he seized on governor huckabee's comments not only as a way of smacking back at the governor but also making once again the pitch for his -- for his iran deal by talking directly to the american people about how uncivil governor huckabee's remarks were but also reminding them about the importance of this deal. look i'll answer your bing question for you. >> please do. >> i believe huckabee's comments were offensive. if you don't like the deal if opponents of the deal don't like it, argue on the merits argue on the facts. if it's that bad you don't need high per wholy to make your arguments. >> an alternative as well. this is where we are. we want to show this next video because this is an example of where we are in this race and how pretty much crazy everything has gotten here. watch this video and we'll spell it out for you. you're looking at four videos of four gop candidates upper left. lindsey graham destroying cellphones after trump gave out the video. rand paul using the woodchipper to destroy the tax code. and ted cruz calling him a liar and rick perry behind that on your bottom right-hand corner calling trump a cancer. in the world that we were talking about, you know peter alexander called it the summer of donald. the trump fication the trumpization of these races. so far is this what you have to do to stand out? >> this is about the race for the white house. right now for these folks this is about the race to the debate stage. you notice the four on the screen you just showed some of them are fighting to be in that top ten space. jeb bush is not in one of those videos. their plan is let's rise above this. this is good for us to have donald trump in the race. we want to act like this adult in the room. where the others are saying we've got to find our footingnd our voice. we want to be the one comes out being able to trump donald trump which is seemingly impossible to do at this point. >> you say it's leading up to the debate. jonathan, do you anticipate after the debate and everyone has their time on the stage, those ten, that then all the offensive comments the outrage jous comments will kind of simmer down or no? >> no. no. there's a reason why donald trump is leading and there's a reason why the outrageous comments are ramping up. one, because of what -- what abby said. they're all fighting to get on that debate stage. after the fox debate there's another debate coming up with almost similar rules. you've got 17 people competing for ten spots you've got to do anything possible to stay in the public eye. but the other thing we have to focus on and our colleague michael steele pointed this it to us and to me a couple weeks ago and that is stop paying attention to the messenger, donald trump, and start paying attention to the people who are latching on to what he has to say. and so because the republican primary voters are angry, frustrated, tired of what they believe is being lied to by conservative leaders, they want someone who is going to speak for them. right now this person is donald trump. >> since we're on the topic there we've got to take it to another level there based on the headlines. >> is it possible? >> actually it is. we've got the time for it here. so far abby jonathan stand by because we want to get our viewers up to date on this. we want to talk about the latest donald trump story to command attention now. today, his lawyer a apologized for comments he made about spousal rape in regard to a story published in the "daily beast." they published a story about trump's early '90s divorce from ivana trump. in it the author quotes a decades old book about the divorce. the book reports an allegation of spouse sell rape made by ivana trump. the source is a deposition as well as unnamed people who say they were her closest confidante confidantes. donald trump previously denied it took place. today ivana said the "daily beast" story is totally without merit however the lawyer states following. quote, you cannot rape your spouse. and there's very clear case law. now, it's that statement that provoked a severe backlash. nbc katy tur has been covering this part of the story. you talked with the lawyer. did you talk to him before the 180 or after? i'm curious to hear what he said? >> i'm talked to him after the fact. and basically the story now is not so much the initial allegation of rape during that divorce. it's more so what this lawyer michael cohen has said about it that you can't rape your spouse which we know is not legally true. now, he has come out with this statement apologizing, dialing it back, saying as an attorney husband, and father there are many injustices that offend me but nothing more than the charges of rape or racism that hit me at my core. rarely at my surprise of my guest, the gull of this particular reporter to make a false allegation against mr. trump truly stunned me and a moment of shock and anger i made an inarticulate comment which i do not believe and which i apologize for entirely. now, mr. trump himself has said that he did not know of michael cohen's statements and he disagrees with them. but certainly it's calling into question the culture surrounds donald trump and what is appropriate behavior and what is appropriate behavior, two people writing a negative story or something they may not like. we know they banned the des moines register from his last campaign stop because the register's editorial board wrote an editorial that wasn't very nice to donald trump and so they banned the reporters from -- covering it. they've been aggressive and at times you could even say bullying to reporters who haven't stepped in line with what they want to hear. that's more the issue at this point. what is allowed around the people with donald trump and what is appropriate behavior? and is this the sort of behavior you want to see happening for somebody who has a chance to get into the white house? >> the questions that will be asking is certainly in the days to follow. nbc's katy tur, thank you for that. i want to bring in msnbc abby huntsman and jonathan capehart to talk about this. you're here so let's talk about this. for once these controversial words don't come from donald trump's mouth, from his lawyers. because he apologized is that put an end to it or is that going to kind of you know inflate this trump bubble even more? >> right. i think it inflates it even more. as we were talking about earlier, donald trump set a whole new bar for what is allowed to be said and how the other gop contenders -- >> the lawyer said it even though it didn't come out of his mouth? >> i think so. i think because he is not a politician, because he is not a candidate that we've seen before like this up until now we've not treated him as one. we've said okay well, let's let this slide for now. look, i think these comments are terrible but when you're going to run for president you're not a private man anymore. your life is public. everything is going to come out on display. when you also mention the word rape yourself and say that anyone might be a rapist and his comments earlier, that is going to ultimately come back to bite you if there's something in your past. but it's also a minder that we're not talking about all about issues this impact the american people. and i think that's what people are so frustrated about right now. it's one comment after the next and that's what we continue to focus on. >> along with that and people are hoping they will hear from that during the debate if not before. jonathan, to you, another trump story. another part of it. with bloomberg who is examined trump's filings with the fec and he says when it comes to his worth just under $3 billion now, far less than the more than 10$10 billion he initially claimed. is that going to make a difference? there are a whole lot of zeros for a lot of us that we wouldn't even be able to feel that. would the supporters really make that a difference in propelling his -- >> no. >> go ahead. >> it's not going to make a difference. we're used to donald trump, especially those of us who lived in new york or who have been in the new york area who have followed donald trump. we're used to him adding yeast to his stories. keep in mind $2.9 billion is still a whole lot of money. he can still accurately say that he's very, very rich, which he loves to remind all of us. but you know there's one other thing, francis, i thought was extraordinary about mr. cohen, trump's lawyers, apology. it was an actual apology. imagine if donald trump had used anywhere near the same language that mr. cohen used when, you know, to apologize for his comments about, you know mexican rapists coming across the border. >> probably wouldn't be talking about him if he did. >> or comments about senator mccain. >> right. and then you wouldn't be here. i wouldn't be here talking about him now. it would be huckabee. the both of you we will see you again. we will carry on this discussion. great to see you. all right. reminder you can catch abby in the cafeteria but you can catch her on "the cycle" weekdays. developing news in the dramatic prison escape in upstate new york. the worker accused of helping two convicted killers escape pleaded eded guilty. joyce mitchell admitted to smuggling hacksaw blades and frozen hamburger meat to two convicted prisoners. she faces up to seven years behind bars. she took part in the elaborate scheme, they spent more than two weeks on the lam before matt was shot and killed and sweat was captured. edward, tell us a little bit more of what's next for joyce mitchell. >> well, francis, what's next is joyce mitchell goes to jail. she has a sentencing hearing on september 28th which the prosecutor says she will get the maximum. seven years. however, her defense attorney says that because of good behavior, she should only serve about four and two-thirds years in prison. mitchell pleaded guilty to two counts relating to helping richard matt and david sweat escape. she cried as she signed the deal in court and walked in and out of court with her head down. the plea deal confirmed on may 1st mitchell brought hacksaw blades, a screw driver, chisel and a punch tool hidden in meat into the facility. in taking the deal she will not be charged with anything else related to the escape unless she refuses to cooperate. how far there could be other charges related to a state investigation into a black-market of items entering the prison. >> allegations of other actions that joyce mitchell took or participated in during her employment at clinton correctional facility. and if something along toes natures arise during that investigation, my office will be advised on it then we could pursue additional charges against ms. my chel. >> one other prison charge who was charged he did not accept a plea deal. he was the one who brought the meat to the inmates. his case will go in front of a grand jury in early august. >> msnbc's edward lawrence in new york. appreciate the update. coming up the u.s. navy pulling one of their ship on day four in their search for two 14-year-old boys off the florida coast but their moms are not giving up hope. >> this is something they've repairre reprepared for their whole boating life. they're out there. >> plus, how far would you go to protect your child? all of the way to prison? the story of one father who did and why his son is about to take ace place. fair game or cold blooded kill? disturbing controversy of cecil the lion. ♪ every auto insurance policy has a number. but not every insurance company understands the life behind it. those who have served our nation. have earned the very best service in return. ♪ usaa. we know what it means to serve. get an auto insurance quote and see why 92% of our members plan to stay for life. mornings. wonderful, crazy mornings. we figure you probably don't have time to wait on hold. that's why at xfinity we're hard at work building new apps like this one that lets you choose a time for us to call you. so instead of waiting on hold, we'll call you when things are just as wonderful... [phone rings] but a little less crazy. we're doing everything we can to give you the best experience possible. because we should fit into your life. not the other way around. quoping right now out of fm. it is day four in the search of two missing teenagers and there is still no sign of them. they were last seen on friday before beginning a fishing trip. the coast guard expanded their search now focusing 50 mile office the coast of jacksonville. stretching as far north as savannah, georgia, and as far south as cape canaveral. earlier today the teenagers' moms appeared on the "today" show where they remained hopeful and say their sons have the tool toss s to survive. >> we live in boating community. these children are surrounded by water from the moment they are born. perry knew how to swim before he knew how to walk. they're on boats all the time. they're fishing all the time. they're on docks all the time. it's just how they are. and they have all of the skills they need. >> msnbced a democrat reese is following this for us from jupiter, florida. there's a report from the "palm beach post" the reporter has found something off the coast of there, georgia, is there anything more than you tell us about that? >> reporter: this was off the coast of brunswick, georgia francis. a boater found an item in the water that they felt is worth looking in to. they sent a coast guard plane to look into it. we don't know if it's related or not. this is still a search and rescue operation despite the fact that the boys have been out there for more than four days. the family remains hopeful they can still be found alive. >> they know everything to do. they know what to do if they get in trouble. they know how to make freshwater. i know they will be okay and they can survive. >> now, the coast guard says the conditions is favorable, water is warm. they have seen people survive in the water this long. they are searching near where they found the capsized boat north into the area of georgia. like you mentioned, francis, they've conducted 36 searches so far. 32,000 miles. they are not giving up francis. >> certainly with the hope they took the cooler offer the engine cover, may be floating out there. msnbc's adam riess is reporting from us from jupiter, florida. thank you. coming up, the father who put himself behind bars for a crime he didn't commit. and snake on a plane, dogs and even a kangaroo and a rooster. a closer look at how folks are taking advantage of service animal rules on airplanes. these two oil rigs look the same. can you tell what makes them so different? did you hear that sound? of course you didn't. you're not using ge software like the rig on the right. it's listening and learning how to prevent equipment failures, predict maintenance needs, and avoid problems before they happen. you don't even need a cerebral cortex to understand which is better. now, two things that are exactly the same have never been more different. ge software. get connected. get insights. get optimized. across america people, like basketball hall of famer dominique wilkins, are taking charge of their type 2 diabetes... ...with non-insulin victoza. for a while, i took a pill to lower my blood sugar but it didn't get me to my goal. so i asked my doctor about victoza. he said victoza works differently than pills and comes in a pen. victoza is proven to lower blood sugar and a1c. it's taken once a day, any time. and the needle is thin. victoza is not for weight loss but it may help you lose some weight. victoza is an injectable prescription medicine that may improve blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes when used with diet and exercise. it is not recommended as the first medication to treat diabetes and should not be used in people with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. victoza has not been studied with mealtime insulin. victoza is not insulin. do not take victoza if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, or if you are allergic to victoza or any of its ingredients. symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include swelling of face lips, tongue or throat fainting or dizziness, very rapid heartbeat problems breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching. tell your doctor if you get a lump or swelling in your neck. serious side effects may happen in people who take victoza including inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) which may be fatal. stop taking victoza and call your doctor right away if you have signs of p