this morning on "world news this morning on "world news now," the president's next chief of staff forced to explain comments he made about donald trump just two years ago, saying he was, quote, terrible human being and it's on video. awkward. obamacare in jeopardy. the sweeping decision from a federal judge striking down the affordable care act. it now puts into question health insurance coverage for millions of americans who signed up. we'll explain what happens next. and new this half hour, an incredible wipeout. >> a surfer battered by monster waves but not once -- >> [ bleep ]. >> several times. calling it the worst wipeout of his life. and has this happened to you? you're performing on stage -- >> uh-huh. >> -- and your ex shows up on that same stage to say take me back.

>> baby, come back. >> what would you do? see how cardi b reacted both on stage and later on social media later in "the skinny." it is a messy monday, december 17th. >> hot messy. from abc news, this is "world news now." what did he think he was -- she was going to do? >> i don't know. i'm just here and ready for the tea. >> the tea is particularly strong this morning. >> piping hot. >> oh, my gosh. >> happy monday. >> like, did she think -- did he think that she would just be like, hey, it's okay? >> i don't know. he already said y'all won after she posted about them breaking up before. i did a deep social media search while in chile to get caught up when they first broke up. >> i'm really saddened by that. >> i know. but cardi, you be strong, girl. >> we'll work that a little later on in the skinny. we're going to start with

the disparaging comment about president trump that could complicate his relationship with his incoming chief of staff. >> after budget director mick mulvaney was named acting white house chief of staff, video from a congressional debate surfaced from two years ago in which he calls then candidate trump, quote, a terrible human being. meanwhile, as mulvaney takes the new job, yet another cabinet secretary is on his way out. here is abc's stephanie ramos. >> reporter: this is president trump's next chief of staff blasting his future boss just days before the 2016 election. >> yes, i'm supporting donald trump. i'm doing so as enthusiastically as i can do given the fact i think he's a terrible human being. >> reporter: mick mulvaney, the former congressman from south carolina, was in a debate when he said this -- >> do i like donald trump? no. was he a role model for my sons? absolutely not. >> reporter: now he'll be one of the most powerful men in the white house. mulvaney's team calls the video old news, saying he made those comments before the two met. adding mulvaney respects and believes in the president.

he'll be the president's third chief of staff in less than two years and continue to serve as the budget director, all part of the administration's latest shake-up. president trump also announcing embattled interior secretary ryan zinke will be stepping down at the end of the year. zinke, who is facing numerous federal investigations into his travel, his business dealings and potential conflicts of interest, would have been likely to come under more scrutiny with democrats set to take control of the house. in a tweet, zinke says, "i cannot justify spending thousands of dollars defending myself and my family against false allegations." the president is heading into the new week facing the possibility of a partial government shutdown. he's demanding $5 billion to fund the border wall. congressional democrats have their own proposal but it's not what the president wants so he's not budging. at the white house, stephanie ramos, abc news. president trump and his legal team are unleashing a new round of attacks against federal

investigators and former fixer michael cohen. they claim special counsel robert mueller is strong-arming people to get them to lie in the russia investigation. after cohen was sentenced to three years in prison, in part for campaign finance violations, rudy giuliani insists that payments made to two women were not intended to influence the election and he slammed cohen as a serial liar. >> the man is pathetic. that's a lawyer you were interviewing and he says he, oh, he directed me to do it and -- oh, my goodness, he directed me. he's a lawyer. he's the guy you depend on to determine whether or not you should do it this way or that way. >> democrats taking control of the house say they want to hear from cohen next month. when asked about a presidential interview with special counsel robert mueller, giuliani said it would be, quote, over my dead body. now to the legal earthquake putting health insurance for millions of americans at risk, especially those with pre-existing conditions.

a texas federal judge declaring the affordable care act or obamacare unconstitutional. abc's erielle reshef reports. >> reporter: health care for millions could be in jeopardy after a blockbuster decision by a texas judge putting obamacare in limbo. the president declaring victory at a congressional gala. >> i believe we're going to get really good health care. exciting things happened over the last 24 hours. >> reporter: the affordable care act struck down on friday night. republican governors and attorneys general from 20 states challenging the individual mandate. the judge, a george w. bush appointee, ruling the requirement of coverage unconstitutional. democrats swiftly condemning the move. >> it once again puts the republicans in washington on the spot. if you're going to take away the affordable care act, how will you protect the millions of people currently using it for health insurance for their family? >> reporter: moderate republican susan collins is skeptical the judge's ruling will stand. >> the judge's ruling was far

too sweeping. he could have taken a much more surgical approach and just struck down the individual mandate and kept the rest of the law intact. i believe that it will be overturned. >> reporter: the decision coming just ahead of the saturday deadline for open enrollment in most states. government officials scrambling to reassure people that their coverage will not be affected for 2019. but future health care for 17 million americans now in doubt. >> well, i'm worried about our whole family honestly. >> reporter: janine reid says obamacare saved her family from financial ruin when her son was diagnosed with a brain tumor. >> medical bankruptcies are a reality and they were a much bigger reality before the affordable care act. >> reporter: democrats vowing to appeal. the case could eventually land at the supreme court and back in the hands of the president and congress. >> if the republicans and the democrats get together, we are going to end up with incredible

health care, which is the way it should have been from day one, and it's going to happen. it now has a chance to happen. >> reporter: now, the judge did not issue an injunction in that ruling, which means for now those enrolled in obamacare will not be affected. but that could change if the ruling is upheld in higher court. erielle reshef, abc news, new york. turning now to weather. this morning's commute will be treacherous in the northeast. a slow-moving storm system is bringing rain along the northeast corridor. north and west, it's a wintery mix. drivers should watch out for scattered icy spots. right now it's wet here in new york city and all the way up to the coast to boston. we had a little bit of snow earlier but it didn't stick. more significant snow is expected further inland. meanwhile, a new storm system is moving into the west coast bringing heavy rain, strong winds and big waves. rough surf warnings are up from oregon down to the central california coast. >> so just stay indoors. >> essentially. chicago soldier field is

usually a good place to watch a football game. >> but sunday this big head left bears fan christie kilgore out of luck. santa bear's noggin was planted right in front of her while chicago hosted green bay. things finally got a little better once she shifted left or santa bear moved to his right. >> but she was all good with it because the very big bear happens to be her husband. aww. she also saw the on-field bears clinch their division. >> huge rivalry there. >> that was a huge rivalry. and the bears are doing great. we have weather news out of that bears game that we'll get to a little bit later. all right. coming up, the big announcement from one of us. what? what is -- whoa, i don't know what this is. >> that was the perfect tease. just let it hang there. but first, guess who just took home the miss universe crown and what the host of this year's pageant is saying about hosting the oscars.

that's later in "the skinny." but first, the professional surfer who had a really, really bad day. uh-huh. you're watching "world news now." bad day. you're watching "world news now." i'm alex trebek, here to tell you about the colonial penn program. if you're age 50 to 85, and looking to buy life insurance on a fixed budget, remember the three p's. what are the three p's? the three p's of life insurance on a fixed budget are price, price, and price. a price you can afford, a price that can't increase, and a price that fits your budget. i'm 54. alex, what's my price? you can get coverage for $9.95 a month. i'm 65 and take medications. what's my price? also $9.95 a month. i just turned 80. what's my price? $9.95 a month for you too. if you're age 50 to 85, call now about the #1 most popular

whole life insurance plan, available through the colonial penn program. it has an affordable rate starting at $9.95 a month. no medical exam, no health questions. your acceptance is guaranteed. and this plan has a guaranteed lifetime rate lock, so your rate can never go up for any reason. so call now for free information. and you'll also get this free beneficiary planner. and it's yours just for calling. so call now.

know what turns me on? my better half, hors d oeuvres and bubbly. and when i really want to take it up a notch we use k-y yours & mine. tingling for me, warming for him. wow! this holiday season get what you want do i use a toothpaste that whitens my teeth,

or one that's good for my teeth? now i don't have to choose. from crest 3d white, the whitening therapy collection with new spearmint and peppermint oil. it gently whitens, plus it has a fortifying formula to protect your enamel. crest. healthy, beautiful smiles for life. a professional surfer calls this the worst wipeout of his life. by far. you'll see why. he was taking advantage of the monster swells off portugal. >> yikes. >> when those huge waves took advantage of him. the 35-year-old was hit by five waves. a teammate on a jet ski eventually rescues him and brings him to shore as a wave

chases them. he was taken to the hospital as a precaution but he's fine. those waves can get up to 90 feet off the coast of portugal there. >> looks like a monday morning. >> yeah, it is. oh, hey, it's time for monday. life can hit you fast. well, closer to home, we're hearing new details about the incredible rescue of a navy veteran who was forced to ditch his plane in the waters off honolulu. >> yeah, he was able to eject at the last minute, but this morning we're learning about an amazing coincidence involving his rescuer. here is abc's zachary kiesch. >> reporter: this surveillance camera captures the dramatic moment a fighter jet crashes into the ocean during a military training exercise in hawaii. the pilot was forced to eject and is reunited with the man who rescued him and likely saved his life. >> you can't ask for a better more qualified person to be there in an ejection scenario than mack was. i mean, it was -- i was the most fortune person ever. >> reporter: nevada veteran and now civilian contractor matt pothier reliving what happened after ejecting out of an 1950s-era jet.

the aircraft falling into waters just off waikiki beach. mack ladner, a boater in the area, raced in to rescue pothier before his parachute filled up with water, which could have possibly pulled him under. >> i was seeing if he was okay, if anything was hurting. no, i'm just tangled in my parachute. >> reporter: it turns out that he actually fractured his spine. but on top of time with his wife and kids, he wants to be back in the sky. >> i'm just happy to be here. looking forward to, you know, flying again. >> reporter: the ntsb plans on releasing a preliminary report within the next few days. interesting side story here, the man who rescued the pilot, the hero in this story, had been specially trained at untangling people from parachutes. zachary kiesch, abc news, new york. comedian pete davidson made a brief appearance on "saturday night live" just hours after police were asked to check on him. he introduced a musical performance by miley cyrus, mark

ronson and sean ono lennon. just hours earlier he posted an alarming note on instagram writing, "i really don't want to be on earth anymore." >> that prompted a wellness check from the nypd. the post was later deleted. this has been a roller coaster year for davidson. his high-profile headline-making romance with ariana grande began weeks after it began. grande was among those expressing concern for davidson on social media. all right. when we come back, the major, big, huge, sad announcement -- >> no, sad? >> mmm-hmm. from right here in this room. just moments away. >> so dramatic. and the latest development in the cardi b/offset drama. >> cardi, cardi, hot tamale. "the skinny" is next. the skinny is next.

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♪ skinny ♪ just give me the skinny oh, yeah. we have an action-packed "skinny" this monday, starting with cardi b and offset. >> wait, wait, wait, janai -- i'm going to let you finish. >> uh-uh. >> but i got to say something.

>> uh-uh. >> i got to get something off my chest. >> okay. it's been three years in the making. this will only take a second. i've said that many times. i've decided to join -- >> oh, my god. >> -- the ranks of the day walkers. reclaiming my sleep. i'm decided this friday will be my last on "world news now." >> yes! >> yes! >> woo! >> finally! >> thank god! >> high-fives! yes! >> did you hear? kendis is leaving "world news now" because he thinks he's better than everyone else. where are you going to go, kendis? probably to one of your many mansions. find out on friday, december 21st. >> i'm janai norman and i approve this message. >> i hate y'all. >> i sure do approve this message. >> my very first day on abc was on this show in december 2014.

we've been through a lot. breaking news, presidential race. we've danced a lot. sang some stuff. i've been here on zero sleep while having food poisoning all because i felt a responsibility to you people, a.m. newsers, insomniacs, nursing moms and in particular everyone who works this shift. it's the best job, by the way. i'll miss it. and clearly everyone here will miss me. yay! i got a reaction from constance. so we're going to have a fun week. >> all week to celebrate. >> uh-huh. they're all excited. he is gone. took long enough. >> the diva. >> where is my tea? don't make me ask again. >> good lord. turning now to the continuing drama between cardi b and her estranged husband offset. >> yeah, so the rappers started dating early last year and their relationship has brought in an

engagement, a secret marriage, cheating scandals, a baby and now a separation. >> in the 12 days since cardi b announced this split, offset has been trying to apologize, most recently saturday night when he crashed her performance at the rolling loud festival in los angeles. coming on stage with a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a cake reading "take me back, cardi," but she was having none of it. kicking him off stage and scolding her fans on instagram for taking sides. >> violating my baby father is not going to make me feel any better because at the end of the day, that's still family. unfortunately, we are going through things and, um, you know, it's not private. it became public. i just need time so we can see eye to eye. i can't predict the future. i don't know. >> well, however, quite a few fans are starting to think this is all just one giant publicity stunt. you think?

i think it -- i think it's real. i think it's real. you know, there is a child in the middle of all of this, so it's got to be real. >> we'll see. we'll see. next, the world has a brand-new miss universe. >> catriona gray, miss philippines, beat out 93 other contestants in last night's finals, including miss usa who was eliminated before the voting got down to the final ten. >> meanwhile, steve harvey was all blinged out. still smarting after the miss universe faux pas. did the honors last night. >> all right. me and you, man. the new miss universe is -- philippines!

>> the 24-year-old filipina/australian became the filipina to bring home the -- he -- about the colonial penn program. here to tell you if you're age 50 to 85, and looking to buy life insurance on a fixed budget,

remember the three p's. what are the three p's? the three p's of life insurance on a fixed budget are price, price, and price. a price you can afford, a price that can't increase, and a price that fits your budget. i'm 54. alex, what's my price? you can get coverage for $9.95 a month. i'm 65 and take medications. what's my price? also $9.95 a month. i just turned 80. what's my price? $9.95 a month for you too. if you're age 50 to 85, call now about the #1 most popular whole life insurance plan, available through the colonial penn program. it has an affordable rate starting at $9.95 a month. no medical exam, no health questions. your acceptance is guaranteed. and this plan has a guaranteed lifetime rate lock, so your rate can never go up for any reason. so call now for free information.

and you'll also get this free beneficiary planner. and it's yours just for calling. so call now. know what turns me on? my better half, hors d oeuvres and bubbly. and when i really want to take it up a notch we use k-y yours & mine. tingling for me, warming for him. wow! this holiday season get what you want

how many more spider people are there? >> hey, fellas. >> hello. >> this could literally not get any weirder. >> it can get weirder. >> okay. >> weird is good. our parent company disney's "spider-man: into the spider-verse" managed to snag first place at the box office this weekend, collecting just over $35 million. >> rounding out the top three, clint eastwood's "the mule" came in second place, knocking "the grinch" down to third. if you were in the lines at the theaters this weekend you might have missed a few headlines. >> from a drone possibly hitting a jetliner to a judge ruling against a packers fan. here now our "weekend rewind". >> reporter: family members in guatemala tell the a.p. that the family was escaping the extreme poverty in which they live and that jakelin was excited for her new life.

nearly eight hours after presenting to border patrol agents in a remote area, jakelin boarded a bus to new mexico. that's when she began to vomit. 90 minutes later when paramedics reached her, she wasn't breathing. she died at providence childrens hospital hours later. democrats are calling for reform. >> we can either try to address these issues here at the border by turning asylum seekers away or building a wall or we can try to address these problems in the countries of origin. >> the father of the 29-year-old shooter in last week's deadly attack at a christmas market in strasbourg, france says his son was a supporter of isis. four people died. a dozen others were wounded in tuesday's shooting. the shooter, cherif chekatt, was shot dead by police after a massive manhunt. the faa is investigating what may be the first time a large commercial jetliner is hit by a drone. the pilots making the urgent call to the control tower while flying from guadalajara to tijuana. it was a strong hit. the pilots adding they didn't see what hit them.

>> this is the real danger from drones, is that they will bring down an airplane some day if it hits a critical part of that airplane or an engine. >> he's in for the touchdown! >> the green bay packers' longtime rivalry with the chicago bears has reached a new level and russel beckman, the bears told beckman if he wanted to watch the warm-ups he had to lose the packer garb. so he took them to court, suing the team for what he says is a first amendment violation. a u.s. district judge in illinois denying beckman's motion. >> my beard won't be green and i won't be wearing some funky hat. i'll just be dressed, i guess, in packer civilian clothes if there is such a thing. >> aww, poor guy. >> pop bottles. yeah! make it rain! kendis is leaving! y'all are stuck with me. >> i'm still here. >> okay. we'll, you're gonna be gone. >> body's not even cold yet. wow. >> cheers! >> isn't there anybody that's going to care?

>> look, i even match the bottle today.

yet. >> go, go, go. >> still here. making making news in america this morning, the battle over obamacare after a texas judge ruled the law unconstitutional. the legal battle brewing and what it means for the millions of americans who signed up for the affordable care act. harsh words. the president's pick to be acting chief of staff once describing trump as a terrible human being. >> i do love trump? no. is he a role model to my sons? absolutely not. >> the words of mick mulvaney hours after his appointment and what he is saying now. a fire crew fired. workers hired to clean up the historic fire in california, posting pictures mocking the victims. why the crew could face criminal charges. plus, a new report this

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