donald trump's fate heading to the hands of the jury. prosecutors and the former president's defense team making

their case in closing arguments, while chaos breaks out at the courthouse. we're live with why actor robert de niro clashed with pro-trump protesters. palestinians search for safety after a strike in the humanitarian zone in the region. the lone state battered by another round of severe weather, winds and rain nobody out power to thousands of texans. t-mobile's plan to improve coverage in rural areas across the country. and the timberwolves claw back from the brink. the highlight as minnesota forces a game five against the mavs. plus the overtime thriller in the nhl. it's wednesday, may 29th. "early today" starts right now. good morning and glad you're with me. i'm frances rivera. donald trump's fate in his criminal hush money case will

soon be in the hands of the jury. closing arguments last ed until about 8:00 p.m. last night. in just a few hours, the judge will give the jury their instructions, and deliberations will begin. nbc's jay gray has more from the courthouse. >> reporter: a dynamic day both inside and outside of the criminal courthouse here in lower manhattan. the defense and prosecution getting one last chance with the jury in this historic case. former president donald trump charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection to hush money payments made to adult film star stormy daniels in an effort to hide an alleged affair from voters. the former president once again blasting the proceedings as he entered the courthouse. >> this is all election hunting, election interfering. it's going after joe biden's political opponent, because he can't do it himself. and they're helping out. and we have a judge who's highly

conflicted. he happens to be corrupt. >> reporter: his defense team began closing arguments attacking the credibility of the key witness in the case, former trump attorney and confidante, michael cohen, at one point calling him the mvp of lying and the human embodiment of reasonable doubt. going on to tell jurors there was no reason to high and hide the allegations, that they had already been reported. and that with no solid evidence, the only decision in this case is a quote, quick and easy "not guilty". the prosecutors getting their turn after a lunch break here, and they started with that controversial witness as well. michael cohen, saying that look, they didn't get the chance to pick the witness that they wanted. that cohen was the one involved with what they say is a crime here and that's the person that they had to use to work through this case. they went on to say that cohen did trump's bidding for years, and when it went bad. >> the defendant cut him loose.

they have made it a point to not use former president's name at all, continuing to call him the defendant in front of the jurors here. and they are working through all of the evidence, summarizing what they presented over the length of this trial, saying that everything, this mountain, they call it, of evidence points to clear guilt in this case. when this goes to that jury, they'll make a decision on whether the former president will become a felon as a result of what's happened here. that's the latest from here in new york. i'm jay gray. now back to you. >> jay, thank you. and there was even more drama happening outside the courtroom. the biden campaign choosing to hold an event outside the courthouse during closing arguments. with actor robert de niro speaking out about the dangers of reelecting donald trump. b brie jackson joins us now. de niro had pretty tense moments with trump supporters. >> reporter: this was a shift for the biden campaign. it's the first time they chose

to hold any event outside this trial. and robert de niro, who recently appeared in an ad for president biden was joined at a press conference by first responders who were at the capitol on january 6. as de niro was leafiving, he di have some exchanges with donald trump supporters. >> trump wants to destroy not only the city but the country, and eventually, he'll destroy the world. yelling and intimidating, you're into the going to intimidate. we're trying to be gentlemen in this world, the democrats. you are gangsters. are you gangsters! >> reporter: and members of the trump family held a press conference of their own, saying this move by the biden campaign is evidence that this criminal trial is motivated by politics. >> this was a political persecution. that was evidenced today. today by the biden campaign themselves holding a rally here. they bring in robert de niro who

was shot down, but apparently, he needed attention because it's been a while since he's cranked out a good movie. >> reporter: and donald trump reacted late last night on social media writing in part that de niro's movies, artistry and brand have gone way down in value since he entered the political arena. president biden has been silent about the case, but two people familiar with the case say the biden campaign plans to get more aggressive once this trial is over. frances? >> brie, thank you. the gaza health ministry says at least 21 palestinians were killed in an israeli strike on tents outside rafah. the hamas-run agency said the attack happened in a humanitarian safe zone, something israel denies. it comes just three days after scores were killed in an attack on another tent city for refugees. the biden administration says israel has not yet crossed this red line. for the latest, let's go to

claudio lavanga. what's the latest? >> reporter: good morning, frances. well, a spokesperson for the idf says that contrary to reports, israel did not carry out attack on that humanitarian zone. well, now according to several witnesses who spoke to a nbc news crew that arrived on the scene, the aftermath of that attack, they confirm that the attack took place and that women and children are once again among the victims. but, as you mentioned, despite the fact that this is happening only days after another 45 people died in a similar attack at a tent camp in rafah, despite that, the united states says that israel has not yet crossed that red line. now john kirby sha, the spokespn for the national security council explained why. >> we're going based on what the israelis are telling us, and

what they're saying publicly and what we're able to discern as best we can. we have not seen a major ground operation. >> reporter: john kirby there explaining that ard doacco accoe united states, there is no major ground operation happening in rafah. now the state department says they don't know anything about it. they don't have any way of verifying it. so essentially believing the line of israel that the military operation is for now limited to the outskirts of rafah, frances. >> claudio, thank you. a man in south dakota is charged with triple murder in the small town where he formerly serve add mayor. jay ostrom is being held on $1 million cash bond. he served as mayor of centerville, leaving amid a lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment. there is no indication that the

lawsuit is related to the killings. he is defending himself according to court documents. moving south to texas where the state once again was under si siege by vicious storms. at least one person was killed and more than half a million remain without power this morning. maggie vespa has the details. >> reporter: texas in the bull's eye again, with flash floods stunning drivers in dallas and lightning potentially setting a suburban church and multiple homes on fire, say authorities. heavy rain and winds flipping semis, mangling metal buildings, and authorities say killing one person. hail piercing the roof of this walmart. and, at dfw, incredible video of nearly 80 mile-per-hour gusts appearing to push a plane from its gate. american airlines saying there were no injuries, and its maintenance team is conducting thorough inspections. hundreds of flights canceled. nearly 1 million texas customers

without power. all of it capping a harrowing holiday weekend with more than 60 tornados reported across 14 states, including kentucky where claire's worst nightmare repeated itself. the mother and grandmother became famous back in 2021 when a tornado destroyed her home and sent her bathtub flying. her two baby grandsons inside, clutching her bible. >> i had no clue at all where these babies was. >> we need help, we got somebody under this debris. >> reporter: miraculously, the boys were found alive. and rice rebuilt. >> my mama made that. >> reporter: sunday, her home was obliterated again. authorities say memorial day weekend storms killed five people in kentucky, close to two dozen nationwide, with more than 1,000 tornados reported. 2024 is now the second-busiest start to a year ever recorded. rice's family this time, taking cover in a neighbor's storm

shelter. will you rebuild here again? >> yes, ma'am. yes, ma'am. >> reporter: you will? >> if you can afford a tornado she shelter any way at all. get you one and use it. just use. god's put it there. >> we're not done with severe weather just yet. let's get to angie lassman. >> we're watching two systems. one that's just going to bring chillier conditions and showers across parts of the northeast and another is going bring severe weather across parts of the plains and eventually texas, specifically. here's the deal for the day. notice the northern plains this tin that risk. most of us are not going to see a tornado. large hail, damaging wind gusts all possible. as we get into tomorrow, heavy rain will work across the south. we will see the chance for stronger storms to develop with 70 million at risk for the

strong to severe storms, including wind gusts and isolated hail. multiple rounds of this heavy rain is possible, so we'll once again be watching for that flash flooding to be an issue. on the cooler side of thins across the midwest, the kbrags a grathe great lakes, we'll top out at 65 tomorrow, into the upper 60s for cleveland. cincinnati at 74. milder conditions will last for the next couple days before we start to warm up back to the 80s by the tim ston, cleveland, colu and detroit seeing the shower and thunderstorm activity later today. and that's a look at your forecast, back to you. "early today" is back in a

minute with a wireless mega merger and mlb game changer. how negro legends will make their way into baseball's record books. way into baseball's record books. you should use it every wash, otherwise the flakes will come back. tiny troy: he's right, you know. is that tiny troy? the ingredients in head and shoulders keep the microbes that cause flakes at bay. microbes, really? they're always on your scalp... little rascals... but good news, there's no itchiness, dryness or flakes down here! i love tiny troy. and his tiny gorgeous hair. he's the best. - make every wash count! - little help please. skincare can start in the laundry room. that's why i always recommend all free clear for sensitive skin. it's free of dyes and perfumes. it's a key part of my self care routine. it's a clean that's gentle on my skin. for an effective clean that's gentle on skin, all you need is all free clear™ this charmin ultra soft smooth tear is soooo soft and soo smooth. charmin ultra soft smooth tear

has wavy perforations that tear so much better for a smooth more enjoyable go. charmin, enjoy the go. starbucks and its workers union are heading back to the bargaining table. but first, t-mobile is planning to buy u.s. cellular. hi, charlotte, good morning. >> good morning, frances. yes, indeed. t-mobile is buying most of u.s. cellular's operations, including 30% of its spectrum assets in a $4.4 billion deal. it hadwill help oftfer better coverage in rural areas. customers will be able to keep their plan or switch to t-mobile

plans. the deal is expected to close in 2025 after regulators approve it. now to the other story. starbucks and its baristas are set to resume negotiations. workers united are seeking better pay and benefits as well as improved staffing. there has been good progress in their talks. this news is coming after starbucks reported some challenging quarterly results which caused it to cut its 2024 target. it credits cautious consumer behavior and spending and the need to make improvements in its stores addressing some of the concerns raised by the workers. >> thank you for the rundown, charlotte. still to come, florida, it's

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three minutes to go in the fourth. towns, three. another one! >> on the verge of suffering a sweep by the mavericks, the timberwolves came roaring back in game four. dallas struggled to harness their clutch energy. minnesota picked it right back up, getting the win behind big plays from anthony edwards and karl-anthony towns. the wolves live to fight another day and will return to their home court for game five on thursday. so, when you look at the wolves, right, they have a chance to turn it all around. it's a long shot, but they have led in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. and another day, another rangers overtime.

the blue shirts found themselves in their third straight extra period of the eastern conference finals in game four on tuesday. but their tis time it was the panthers' turn to pounce. >> >> one for three on the power play tonight. down low. score! sam reinhart! a power-play goal! >> the excitement. reinhart got it past igor shesterkin. the series returns to msg thursday, tied at two games apiece. it's going to be electric at msg. a lot of folks excited about that. we love to see a good, healthy competition. >> especially with all the overtimes. mlb history is about to see a long overdue change. the league confirmed on tuesday that statistics from the negro leagues will officially be implemented in mlb's historical record today. the move was initially announced in 2020. 2300 players across decades of

negro league play will have their statistics enshrined in the mlb record books. great for them to get the recognition, and they're going to get it again with the mlb honoring the negro leagues with a tribute game-set for june 20th. >> a long overtudue change. up next, the wu-tang clan's album. ng clan's album. [announcer] introducing allison's plaque psoriasis. she thinks her flaky gray patches are all people see. otezla is the #1 prescribed pill to treat plaque psoriasis. allison! over here! otezla can help you get clearer skin and reduce itching and flaking. with no routine blood tests required. doctors have been prescribing otezla for over a decade. otezla is also approved to treat psoriatic arthritis. don't use otezla if you're allergic to it.

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we're that much closer to the 2024 olympics. flame bearers continue to carry the torch as the relay made its way to southwestern france. and the world will be able to enter the wu-tang. the only copy of the album will be exhibited for a ten-day period at the museum of old and new art in australia. "early today" will be right back. e right back. inez, let me ask you, you're using head and shoulders, right? only when i see flakes. then i switch back to my regular shampoo. you should use it every wash, otherwise the flakes will come back. tiny troy: he's right, you know. is that tiny troy? the ingredients in head and shoulders keep the microbes that cause flakes at bay. microbes, really? they're always on your scalp... little rascals... but good news, there's no itchiness, dryness or flakes down here! i love tiny troy. and his tiny gorgeous hair. he's the best. - make every wash count! - little help please.

skincare can start in the laundry room. that's why i always recommend all free clear for sensitive skin. it's free of dyes and perfumes. it's a key part of my self care routine. it's a clean that's gentle on my skin. for an effective clean that's gentle on skin, all you need is all free clear™ this charmin ultra soft smooth tear is soooo soft and soo smooth. charmin ultra soft smooth tear has wavy perforations that tear so much better for a smooth more enjoyable go. charmin, enjoy the go. the discovery of a sunken world war ii submarine is at long last giving a minnesota family closure. from our minneapolis affiliate,

kent urdahl has the story. >> reporter: sharon abbott's memories of her uncle bob are as faint as his photos. >> robert was his name. from minnesota is where he came. >> reporter: she was just 5 years old when she and her grandmother last saw him. >> when world war ii needed men, this 19-year-old signed up then. >> reporter: she wrote this poem some 20 years ago, in part to help her family remember his sacrifice aboard the uss harder submarine during world war ii. >> his life was over before it really began. >> reporter: but she also wanted to process her own feelings about his death. >> it was a horrible loss for everybody. and i wanted bob to be alive to them. there's not too many things to remember when you're young. but i remember the knock, you know. and then the two sisters go over and open the door, and there's the two military men there. and then they just screamed. it was awful.

>> reporter: he was just 19 when he died aboard the harder on august 24, 1944. but he and the 78 others on board were already heroes, sinking the most japanese warships in world war ii. receiving the presidential unit citation for their extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy. >> we specifically went out this year looking for the harder. >> reporter: tim taylor told nbc news now the harder is so iconic that it was among the first missing subs that he sought to find as part of the lost 52 project. and after a year of searching that discovery finally came last week. >> just found out yesterday. >> reporter: nearly 4,000 feet below the surface of the south china sea. what was that like? >> oh, it was wonderful. we were laughing. we started laughing. that's what we do when we get really happy and excited. we have no words. we just laugh and, just, wow. >> reporter: it seems cliche, but it's closure.

these men went missing in the war. >> i'm so glad they found it. it does bring closure. it's put to rest now. the period at the end of the sentence. >> reporter: it's not quite the end the story. we're writing the last chapter of these heroic i goes, and hopefully retell the story of these men and these smasubmarin subm s / submarines that will resonate with the next generation. >> maybe a new poem. >> reporter: this time the end is already written. >> thanks to you for watching "early today." i'm e way.

a while scene outside court in new york city. actor robert de niro clashing with trump