fraud and other crimes. known for organizing anti government street protests and using his blog and social media to expose alleged corruption in the kremlin, navalny has posed one of the most serious threats to putin's legitimacy during his rule. [speaking in a non-english language] his disappearance coming to light just days after putin announced he would run for reelection in march 2024. >> it is no coincidence that navalny disappeared exactly at the moment when the so-called sham presidential elections were announced. and putin announced that he's gonna be running again for, sorry i lost count for which term already. >> more news of his whereabouts has brought some reassurance to supporters. there is deep concern over the conditions the opposition figure now faces at polar wolf. not this year, cnn, london.

thank you so much for joining us tonight. laura coates live starts right now. so, did congress not say that movie groundhog day? because they are about to live. it that's tonight on a special two hour edition of laura coates live. ♪ ♪ ♪ all right, congress. pull the parkers out of the closet, snip on the snowshoes. there is a legislative blizzard hitting straight from washington d.c.. if you are one of the lawmakers that serves with the people, you are in store for a very long winter. why? because congress has a lot, and i do mean a, lot to do. the hit lines, they are endless. lawmakers fear brutal january, reality bites, urgent to-do list. it would be one thing if

congress had, to say, get the groceries or put the christmas tree out on the curb for trash pickup, but lawmakers are staring down some of the most politically polarizing issues confronting this entire nation. things like border security and aid for ukraine. funding the government, twice. the first shutdown deadline is january 19th. the second one is february 2nd. by the way, not for nothing, that's the actual groundhog day. that to the movie for just a moment. it's 1993 classic, you know i love a good movie reference. and at, bill morey's character goes from a jaded news man who kidnaps punxsutawney phil -- who want to live in punxsutawney. ♪ ♪ ♪ >> what do you say?

what do you say? you little brett, you have never thanked me. i'll see you tomorrow, maybe. >> fell gets better. he learns to us sculpt, remember, he learns french. he learns not to say the shadow of life. congress, i'm not sure we have that much hope in that category. especially if you charge them on their recent work. history 2023 is going to go down, get this, as the least productive year for congress on record. and not for a leg of effort to have it in the news. there were speaker fight, there were more speaker fights, near misses on shutdowns, expulsions, sensors. you know what there wasn't much of, though? actual legislating. and that's what they have to now. actually legislate. and they only have days -- and how? so, will congress get stuck in a kind of time loop and spend

another year figuring out all the ways to look busy? or will 2024 be the year it clicks? maybe. weight might have to relive 2023 all over again. after the idea of congress having its least productive year might send like her properly, let's ask harry enten. is it hyperbole? >> it is not hyperbole at all. i didn't think that could pass a law that said dogs were awesome and cute. i'll tell you that, much more of. >> but they are awesome and cute, how dare they? >> how dare they! i love g.o.a.t. little labrador should suit. bills that became law through this point of congress. only 31 in 2023. you gave it to the prior blow this century, see if it, to more than double what we saw in 2023. i was looking for the yearbook, i was looking for everything, it's the lowest in at least 50 years. my goodness gracious, just 31 loss. they can't seem to pass anything. and it's not just that they

can't pass anything, remember those long speaker fights, laura? days without a house speaker mid session. there were 22 few months ago between kevin mccarthy and mike johnson. the previous record was two days, two days, less than a tenth. that was all the way back in 1820. the fact this congress composite laws, in fact, they couldn't even have a speaker. that's how bad it was, laura. it was historically, frankly, if i were to use a scientific word, awful. >> that's a heck of a lesson phrase you just use there, my friend. what did congress actually do? they to do something. i'll give them a bone, they did do something. what they? do >> what they? do they actually expelled a member of congress. george santos, of course, for fraud and mishitting campaign funds. but that's how bad this congress. was that last guy who was thrown at was back in -- convicted of bribery, my,

respect and 98. before that, you essentially had to go back to the 19th century where you had this trio of gentleman who were thrown out for supporting the confederacy. but i think the fact that we had at members like george's and doesn't just get at the fact that how bad this congress truly was, laura. we couldn't possibly use but somehow it managed to have an elected member such as george santos. fortunately congress did something about it, they can rid of him. >> of course, congress will tell you, it's not for lack of effort. they were trying to get things done. trying to do some things, it didn't work out. -- but americans might say, maybe it's a bit, the approval rating or popularity of congress is probably not that hot right now. i'm asking for a friend. >> asking for a friend, laura? you know, if t is one thing that is high, though, it's the disapproval rating of congress. and it uniform across the center. we are talking 80% of independents, 78% of democrats, 71% of republicans. americans across the political

spectrum, or, can't agree on very much but one thing that can apparently agree on, laura, is affect the oldest like congress. it's not getting any better. congresses disapproval rating has been sky-high for years and this year, of course, we're even reaching levels that truthfully i couldn't believe it ever reach. at least during the time i could vote. but congress, laura, has managed to do the impossible. >> harry enten, thanks so much. i'll see you affect the next winds mr. dog show, at some point. you can do the whole based in show category. that will be. fun nice seeing. you >> buy, laura. >> i wonder if my next guest is regretting his choice -- i hope, not maybe he'll change of perception. joining me now is congressman richie torres. welcome and good evening. how are you tonight? >> it's an honor to be here to the indefensible. [laughter] >> good, i knew i like to.

you've got a lot on your plate. are you class healthful or health angie about 2024. meaning, look, now is the time and you're actually going to get a lot more down? >> i am pessimistic because congress is embarrassingly dysfunctional and incompetent. but the problem is not congress per se. the problem is republican control of congress. under democratic control, congress was actually historically productive. we pressed up bipartisan infrastructure bill. a gun safety bill. a bipartisan veterinarian health care bill -- reducing gas emissions by 40% by 2030. so we went from the most productive congress under democratic-controlled to that least productive congress under republican control. house republicans in 2023 only passed 22 bills compared to 280 full bills that became law under house democrats. how's democratics were 13 times

more productive in 2022 then republicans we're in 2023. so as long as republicans are in charge, i'm pessimistic. >> i have to ask you, obviously you're making the case and establishment that nuance here. i have to wonder, for the average american voter looking at it, they're putting congress under a pretty light umbrella. and i wonder to what extent people view it as republicans and democrats or just congress being unable to do that give and take of compromise that main things will get done. how do you see it? >> look, we as democrats are willing to compromise. it takes two to tango. and it matters who's in charge. under republican control with saint and endless stream of dysfunction and incompetent and extremism. we have a dysfunctional house where the inmates are running the asylum. we went from the longest speaker vote in more than 150 years to near default on the nations did, but near shutdown

of the federal government, to the first ever vacating of a speaker in the 234-year history of congress. that's a level of dysfunction from the republicans that we've never seen in the history of the house. and i'm confident, once democrats are in charge, we are going to bring back stability to the house. >> you are not out of the woods yet, as a member of congress. obviously, there has not been an election. there is not been a change in leadership. republicans are in that majority, albeit a slim one. when you talk about compromise, some would be really critical of democrats him particular, because they haven't exactly pursued compromise on things like border security. that's that main criticism. i wonder what you say to people about the pursuit of compromise on an issue that frankly has so many people concerned about what could be done to course correct? >> i disagree with that assessment. the senate was willing to stay during the holiday and it was the republicans who chose to go. home democrats are open to

negotiating a compromise that includes aid for ukraine, israel, taiwan, and border security. but the devils and the details. obviously those have to be negotiated. but there are negotiations underway in the senate. and democrats have been amenable to those negotiations and we were willing to stay for the holidays, while republicans chose to go home. >> you mentioned aid for ukraine and what's happening and the conditions that have been attached to border security provisions and little election. really, it's a told of not just newtown but the top of the globe in terms of what role the united states will be able to play in offering support and a variety of areas. on christmas day, people you call anti israel extremist vandalize your office. you posed there was a doll they left behind and weren't, quote, intimidation and incitement against members of congress feels like it's hitting in a dangerous direction. i'm quoting you here, congressman. when you talk about this dangerous direction and obviously we're seeing it in

your office and beyond, do you mean we could see political violence, like what happens to pelosi's husband or the department of has spoken about in terms of political division being at such a pace and peak that it is fueling concern for real violence in this country? >> i do worry that intimidation and incitement of hate could easily escalate into violence. and most members of congress, like myself, have no security. where soft targets. and i do worry that, you know, violent assault or even assassination of a member of congress is not a question of -- it's a question of when. >> you really think? >> members of congress have no security. we are living in a time, especially in the wake of january 6th, it feels like we're living in a climate of violent extremism into united

states. it was certainly much worse and thought 1960s, but history has a way of repeating itself and members of congress cannot take their safety for granted. >> do you have concern over your own personal safety, congressman? >> i tend to be unfazed. i'm reminded from a quote all -- of this is the life i've chosen. i accept the burdens that come with political and public life. so i try not to stress over it. >> wow. as they say, new york, new york. nothing like you new yorkers as well. i've got to tell you, about choosing a life of service and to be a member of congress, the effect that would come along and accompany the task at hand is really telling and terrifying for outlook of reasons. congressman ritchie torres, thank you so much for joining us. and i certainly hope you and your colleagues will remain safe. thank. you >> take care. here to continue the competition, senior reporter for the root, jessica washington, plus political

communication mark mckinnon. mark, jessica, first of all. stop for a second. because what we heard from congressman torres, certainly, he says he's unfazed. but i've got to tell you, that is really startling to think that it's not a matter, he says, of if but when there could be political violence coming to the front door of a member of congress because of that division we have in this country. jessica, what is your reaction to what seems to be it is not a foregone conclusion? >> that's obviously a disturbing thing to hear and a disturbing thing to understand he's feeling, that it is, i think, to here in this country when a member of congress is going to be assassinated or targeted violently, it's obviously scary. from my, and i often hear specifically about what supremacist violence and the kinds of violence but stopped january 6th so that kind of

more what i've been focusing on and less of what he's talking about specifically. but of course, hearing anything like that is deeply concerning. >> it is. mark, when you hear it, you think about. it obviously, we're talking about the productivity of congress. we know they've been so much in that news from the centers to expulsion to, we remember the speaker fiasco and the appointment of a new person, election of a new one. so much has been talked about when we talk about congress. and here we are hated for a shutdown. days after an all time low light of your from congress. when you look at the dissatisfaction, and i'm probably being generous here mark, with that term, the satisfaction, how do you see congress being able to only get things done but have the buy in from people that they want to get things done? >> that's the real problem, particularly with the republican conference. there are constituencies don't want by. in america got a republican congress for christmas last

year. this year they got a lump of coal and your earlier segment talked about how little had been done. a lot of those republican members campaigned on limited government and in many cases no government or shutting down government. so the problem we have is that the parties and republicans, particularly, are really appealing to the lowest common denominator. the extremists have taken over the party. exhibit a is mike johnson, the new speaker. look at his background, where he comes from, whom he appeals to. that's not a broad constituency of america. the people he talks to, that people he campaigns with literally say mike, just shut it down. and without any real regard to the consequences. the republicans have caught the car here. and it worries me. they no longer are trying to appeal to a majority of constituents, not even a majority of their own party. >> fascinating to think about that. my mind keeps going, as you

were talking mark, jessica weigh in on this, we talk about the party. the democratic party or the republican party. we often assume there is unity. there is not going to be fractures within it, they're going to hold the party line. republicans our often praised for being able to do so, even when it's consequences be dammed. democrats fear a firing squad when they give ammunition to republicans in election year to say, ha ha, even they don't agree. when you look at this, jessica, knowing people have been to envelop independent voters, when you say the absence or the absence of cohesion, and one viewpoint, is that a good or a bad thing for the parties? >> i think for the purposes of government, we've seen it's a bad thing. i think that one thing that is almost universal united republicans's trump. wealth out trump in power. without trump in office, there is very little motivation to

coalesce with any policy. and i think we are seeing that play out in this congress, where they're incredibly dysfunctional. unable to agree on a speaker or agree on pausing pretty much any legislation. so for the purposes of one to get legislation passed, it incredibly dysfunctional. but if you are just trying to get elected on a platform of, we're not going to let government do anything and we're going to be obstructionists, i think it's effective. it depends on how you're looking at. it >> mark, as senator patty murray, a woman who served in the senate for two decades, put at this way. this is crazy, what they're doing. if we set this precedent of every year congress has a negotiation, decides what the spending numbers are going to be, and says six months later, never mind -- we're never going to be able to trust a deal again. love and legislating cannot live where there is no trust, apparently.

how do you fix that, mark? >> it's tough and it's basically exacerbating when you think about the fact up republican party, in 2020, at their convention, literally had no platform. they did not have a platform. so there is not even a model of what -- this goes to the whole point of being obstructionist. and doing things, really, not just limited government but shutting government doubt. that's what they campaigned on because there is no platform, policies they're promoting, except to be obstructionist. chip roy, congressman from texas who i know from my own protected, as conservative guy, independents, mark. i well respected by all sides of the aisle, in the republican party, famously a couple of weeks ago, sort of, appealed with republican colleagues and the conference say, it just got me one thing i can go home and say we did, just one thing. and is yet, i don't think he's really gotten an answer. >> i'm going to pour myself

some water, because someone's got to be glossed healthful and this particular conversation. mark mckinnon, jessica washington, thanks both for staying up with us. up next, the u.s. military striking several iranian-backed targets in iraq. is there a risk of the united states getting drawn into a wider regional conflict?

we're following new threats to american forces in the middle east. and the united states military response. president bottone ordering airstrikes targeting iran-backed militants in iraq. this after an attack that injured three u.s. troops. all of this is raising questions and concerns about how deeply that u.s. is being drawn into the expanding conflict in the middle east. let's bring in joel reuben, former deputy secretary of state and the upon the administration -- also running for congress and maryland. joel, thank you so much for being. here nobody could predict this year. this has been the most astonishing year in terms of foreign policy and what's been going on for so many reasons. and while everyone talks about

the president, it's really about the commander-in-chief, these days, is it? not and what he's prepared to do and what can happen next? >> that's right, laura. look, the commander-in-chief is a unique individual and our constitutional system. the president is the one who decides whether or not we go to war. of course, congress can authorize it betters still many different windows available to the president. and we just saw him exercise one of those windows and response to iranian proxy attacks against the american forces in iraq and the present was obligated, quite frankly, to respond to protect our troops. so there is a lot -- of >> was that way he did at the right way, though? >> it was. he got the target where the strikes were coming from to send that message, that's a no no. what he did, executing that, strike was to pinpoint. he does need to be complemented but the diplomatic message. it's very strong and very clear to iran, unleashing your proxies in the region is not going to get you what you are seeking. ere have been over 100

attacks since october 17th, i believe, against forces, against the u.s., and the region. that's unacceptable. so the strikes, they punished, hopefully they deter, and clearly that message need to pick off into iran there needlessly right escalating. >> -- the involvement of u.s. forces, that letter park is really concerning to some money. people are we being drawn in, intentionally, to what outraging a conflict? are we finding ourselves there by default? what do you think? >> you know, that number one objective for the white house is clearly to stay out of regional conflicts and lead off this for between israel and hamas. this is not a war of art to. it's a war hamas started. it's a work is where else responding to. but we have allies in the region across the middle east. we're in a rock at the invitation of the iraqi government. we are there fighting a kind of

there is a mission. so our position in the region across many countries is solid. and what iran is doing right now is trying to see how far we can go pushing and prodding. i truly believe that iran once the united states out of the middle east. i think that survives their strategic interests. and it's not where united states that is. it's not where our allies across the arab world. ours are getting sucked into it is sort of a parallel dime to the israel-hamas war. and iran is trying to see how far they can go. >> the united states is a heck of a peer to try to poke. and you do wonder, though, is there a way to determine what's happening with iran and not escalate the situation? that's a very fine line to block. >> very fine line. and it means all aspects of american power need to be accessed in order to prevent an escalation. there is an immediate military response that's targeted and focused. not going crazy like some loud

voices want. they want, for some reason, the president to attack iran or start a war with a country three times the size iraq of. that's incredibly unwise. we also have other deterrence measures. aircraft carriers in the eastern mediterranean. alliances -- this is where it's crucial, right now. we see our diplomats engaged, actively. but that need to continue to engage and lean on our allies in the region to get the massive -- message across iran to, it's plant with fire, undermine regional security. it's not going to obtain objectives. all these aspects, all these tools, have to come into play. it's not an anyone's interest to see an american war with iran. it will not achieve the objectives that many voices in the city and particulate want to see, we are they want to see iran it hurt to award. it will backfire. but that doesn't mean we walk away from the middle east, either. so yes, it's a real tight rope. >> wow, what a nato to thread. we'll see what the commander-in-chief does about all of. it thanks so much, joel rubin.

well kanye west is back with an apology to the jewish community over history of antisemitic remarks. but are people buying it? we'll talk about, it next.

better late than never? rapper kanye west apologized to the jewish community after a patient antisemitic attacks, including as recently as just a few weeks ago. written in hebrew, that message right in part, it was not my intent to hurt or disrespect, and a deeply regret any pain i may have caused, unquote. west says he's committed to learning and ensuring what he says is greater insensitivity and understanding in the future. so far, the post has gained more than 1 million likes. the anti-defamation league

cautiously welcoming west's apology. and a statement to cnn, the atl saying, quote, after causing untold damage but using his vast influence and platform to poison countless minds with vicious antisemitism and, hate and apology and hebrew may be the first step on a long journey toward making amends to the jewish community and all those he has hurt. ultimately, actions will speak louder than words. but this initial act of contrition is welcome. i want to break and made it personally and host of the higher learning podcast, van latham, along with daily beast columnist jane michaelson. so glad to have you both on today. hello, hello, hello. let me pick up with you. adl says the apology is what they call the first step, on a long journey towards making amends to the jewish community. what's your reaction tonight to

kanye west apology? >> i think he had about as much put it with writing this apology as i had to do with writing my beautiful dark twisted fantasy. this is a boiler plate, chatgpt, ordered apology. it translated pretty awkwardly into hebrew. only about 40% of american jewish great hebrew. i'm in that 20%. it's a bed eighth graders translation assignment. i've never been a fan of the apology tour as a means of improving our relations with different groups, certainly fighting antisemitism. hopefully there is some and counties in a circle he trusts who can have a real conversation with him. this feels like our publicity stunt. >> van, what do you say about this? he's had a long history of antisemitic remarks including a few weeks ago during a listening party for his new album. maybe that's the reason for the time of this. why is he doing now? what the apology now? >> i'm not sure. i'm not sure why the apology

comes now. nobody has -- its highly anticipated. maybe he doesn't want to get in the way of people consuming that. i guess, what i'm interested and know, and what is there to learn? when he says he's looking for to learning, what is there to learn? hitler killed 12 million people and started world war ii and which 3% of the world population died. i think the book has been returned on hitler and i think people are tired and exhausted about the kanye west, wash, rinse, repeat, cycle of defense and discussed in this. i think it's high time he started to learn it. >> then makes a great point. when you hear about the apology anticipations of. it you taught about learning. where is the epiphany going to be coming from? is the epiphany coming from truth? is it coming from --

have you not been observant in some way? or informed? intentionally? when you say, that was your thought? >> i didn't really take it at face value. but if i did, it's funny, i'm usually more cynical. when a van and i are on together, i'm usually the cynical one. tonight, i'm slightly more optimistic. the lgbtq icon from the last century said people get stupid wholesale and why is retail. that means, we get bad ideas from our culture. that's true in all different forms of discrimination. certainly racism and antisemitism included. yet, it takes a different kind of relationship to get a little more. wise that's why i'm not really optimistic. but if i believed this statement had anything to do with anything kanye ever said, i hope those folks and historical who can have the kind of long conversations. because he clearly has absorbed a number of antisemitic motives

that are just -- if been around for hundreds of years, right? and he stop this from someplace. it takes a process to kind of the program that, in a way. and i think there is not a, sort of, simple way to do it in kowtowing and writing apology roads is certainly not the way to do it. i think there has to be, hopefully, someone who can have those long conversations. and he can get to know some jewish folks in reality, as opposed to the dark, twisted fantasy. >> van, when you think about, it you mentioned retail just, now jay, we think about things like so-called cancel culture. the impact of ones statements and oftentimes what is the catalyst for the apology tour, as it's often referred to, is that we are losing a lot of income as a result of it. you have got to make a course correction, otherwise maybe bankruptcy, culturally, actually, fiscally is in your future. but even with a history of antisemitism that kind of has been criticized widely for,

he's not taking the hit i think you would think retail wise or in terms of what people expect. why do you think that is? >> i think kanye west is the most powerful cultural figure in the world. and there is not a real way, there is not a scientific way you can put your finger on why that happened. he's well aware of how important he is. but he doesn't know how powerful he is. he doesn't know the power that he has to normalize certain attitudes or to re-contextualize long held truths -- to a new group of people, in a way that can be damaging. we have this conversation with him all the time, whether or not he's talking about harriet tubman, slavery, antisemitism. all of these tropes, hitler. kanye west is simply, sometimes, like a child playing with his big cultural toy that he grabs

so hard he always breaks it. i'm disappointed, i'm tired. but more so, i want him to do good. i want him to know how much at his core we love him and help much we expect from him. and we expect better. and we are not going to stop demanding better, no matter how dope the album is, helped out the shoes, is out of any of this stuff. is kanye west it's gotten better on this. >> well, jay michaelson, van latham, thank you both for your insight tonight. i really do appreciate. it >> thank you. >> harvard president claudine gay facing growing calls to resign over her congressional testimony on antisemitism and also for allegations of plagiarism. a former student body president of harvard is my guest, next.

very cordial, and frank. that's how one academic is describing a recent meeting between faculty members and two members of harvard's governing body. called by the harvard corporation, faculty were asked to discuss their views of recent problems, and what might be done to address them. now, one topic that was not discussed during the meeting, the removal of harvard president claudine. now, some may find that surprising, as calls for -- to resign continue to grow as she faces scrutiny for handling of antisemitism on campus. and, now allegations of plagiarism. for more, i want to bring in noah harris. he was the first black male student body president of harvard. and, he joins us now. noah, so good to see you. and, i am welcoming all of the things that are happening well for you. i'm not surprised though. but, harvard has been in the news for all of the wrong reasons, one might say. how do you feel about harvard

being under the spotlight right now, for these reasons? >> well, thank you so much for having me. i'll start by saying that i love my experience at harvard, i graduated last year, and i'll act should be going back to the harvard for law school. i want to start by also saying that president gay is an exceptional scholar, a ringleader, and a person of high character. i know president gay well, i've had the opportunity to work with her when she was the dean of the faculty of arts and sciences, and i was president of the student body. and, she has always done a great job. so, that's what i want to really talk about, and really support her, and talk about her character. she was actually the person who was calling the shots, and really leading harvard through the pandemic. and so, she was the one in the room making those decisions. and so, i am saddened to see my alma mater in the news, for all

of these allegations, as anyone would surely. but you know, ultimately i know that president gay is a great leader, and i do stand behind the car harbor corporations decision to support president gay, because i know from experience that harvard university doesn't come to any decisions without a thorough, complete process, and gay -- >> in i've said let you have a personal rapport and know her well, because we often hear about, in light of all these different discussions, since of course that congressional hearings with her and other members of other universities as well. but, it hasn't stopped. you know, there has been support for her by members of the faculty, in the student body, at least in terms of the harvard corporation. now, there are allegations of plagiarism. frankly, it continues, in terms of the calls to try to get her to be removed. in light of what she is facing, has that changed your opinion of her personally, or what you are hearing from your fellow student body members?

>> it hasn't changed my opinion of her personally, because ultimately i know who she is. i haven't been able to speak with her recently, because she's been busy. but i really don't have any more information on the ongoing plagiarism investigation than anyone else would. but i do trust harvard to conduct a very thorough investigation of president gay, just as they would have any other member of the faculty, a former president, or a student. you know, in their midst's, and so actually before an exam, we would have to reaffirm our agreement to this harvard college on our code. and so, we have to commit ourselves to a certain level of integrity, and the faculty has to get themselves to a higher level still. and so, my support for president gay has not changed, of course. i have no idea what the investigation will cover, but i know two things. i know that presidents gay is an honest, trustworthy individual of high character. and i know that harvard will

conduct an investigation of high standards. >> well, we certainly hope that we are with our investigation you know the lawyer that you will be, will demand due process for all of those things. but i have to wonder, you are not that far removed from harvard. certainly, there are going to be a variety of opinions, perhaps many that are different from the one you currently hold. what has been the student body 's reaction to all of this? what is the sentiment like? >> well, i think with any difficult situation, the student body sentiment has been mixed. harvard has of course a very diverse student body, from all over the world. and, you have people who are always going to see it different ways. but, people and students from all over the world come to harvard to get a great education, and that's what the student body is a -- secret resource for them. and, there have been many e students coming out and

supporting president gay. i want to say, we have to do a better job of uplifting women, as they rise to these positions of leadership. we elevate women to positions of president, we have done so in this moment, that we have in our country's history, during war, during one presidents of college in it -- but we have to do is we have to look at the whole body of the person, and the whole record, and we have to know that ultimately, everyone does make mistakes. but, there has to be accountability, but we also have to know that one decision is not an entire person's record. and so, we have to make sure there's due process, but we have to trust that the leaders that we delegate to these positions are people of high character, and i know that president gay is one. >> you know, it's a shame, noah. i really feel like you made a mistake by not going to princeton, but that's okay, we can maybe correct that somehow in the future, as you smile

through that conversation. but let me ask you this, you have been very, very determined, in your own position, to make sure that success is elevated, and successful for others. i know you and i first met when you are the author of a book, and now you have a new program, a nonprofit called success ville. tell me about it. >> well yes so, i wrote the children's book successful, but i also now have a nonprofit called successful university. it's an organization that works to empower young people, to value their education as a catalyst for early career exploration. through books, motivational activities, and a curriculum. the mission is really to show kids they can do anything if they work hard, set goals, and develop talents. education is just so important, and so really just want to continue to support the young people, and help make their career dreams a reality. and if you are able, please donate, www. successful not you. .org >> noah harris, thank you so much for joining. we will be watching very

closely, as frankly what's going on at harvard and beyond, and we will see what ultimately comes of that investigation. thanks for joining me tonight. >> thank you so much, and happy holidays. >> you too. up next, he made history as the youngest person to win a tony award for best leading actor in a musical. now, miles frost is starring in -- new film argent, playing trayvon martin. our conversation, isis next.

that's the trailer for the film, our, urgent which explores unspoken systems of oppression that have shamed america and the world. it's an adaptation of isabelle wilkinson's best spelling book. i brought you my competition with a vote to bernie earlier this month. i also had a chance to sit down with tony award winner miles frost who plays trayvon martin in the film. here is our conversation. you are playing the role of

somebody who is so well known in our hearts and our minds and our political conversations. trayvon martin. i wonder what that experience was like for you. >> it's almost indescribable. you know the weight a person like trayvon martin carries and how much of an effect its head on us as black people, as a society, the effect its head on the united states. it's been the catalyst for so many movements. it was an honor. however, i always found myself angela -- am i doing this right? what does that look? like >> it's a lot of pressure. >> it's a lot of pressure. but it's necessary pressure because we need to get this message out there. >> it must be very startling and some moments to set yourself in him.

>> i was tasked with coming up with the final thoughts and feelings of a kid who realizes he's not about to live any longer. and that was probably one of the hardest things i've ever had to do in my life. my theory first role in film, it was very small, but i played a kid with autism. but coming up with those moments for him, for the world to experience, what he experienced, there is really nothing like it. looking at his picture of him, deceased, on the floor, you know, and haven't to observe that and saying what am i supposed to do? what am i supposed to do with

as information and how am i supposed to translate it? for so people can understand how this fits, in this giant story, that affects as. all >> by the way, this is one of the things your manifesting. i understand you are not saying in the united states much longer. you have somewhere else to go overseas. what's happening? >> i'm making that trip across the pond. >> we are argument, london? >> i'm going to london to open mj that musical in london. it was blissed to win the tony -- >> you won that? what >> i am that younger -- youngest tony award winner in history, actually. >> and you are going to try to bring it across the? pond >> yes -- >> that might to try to keep you? >> michael is always if nothing else michael. he was always unapologetically himself. i don't think he was expecting

to do anything else. wow, what an incredible actor. if you haven't had a chance to see it, just his portrayal, and thinking about what that is. like to try to illustrate and become someone who has become the most unwilling icon, one that never expected to know and that way we have. trayvon martin. i'm so glad i had a chance to speak myles frost with. and for those of you across the pond, you might get a real treat if you see him on the stage in time. well, it's our second hour of laura coates live. did you get your holiday greeting from the former president? wait until you hear what he's saying. ♪ ♪ ♪ it was not exactly solid not for one donald j trump. he se