a blockbuster day. gordon sondland delivers searin advisers, claiming everyone was in the loop and that he was just following the president's orders. heated moments in hotlanta as the democrats hithe debate stage fighting for the right kind of attention. we've got you the first read on the night's winners and losers. the grandfather in court charged in a toddler's fatal cruise ship fall what he told our correspondent about the tragedy. the queen says okay to her son prince andrew's request to quit public life in the wake of the jeffrey epstein controversy. and the impeachment hearings providing plenty of material for jimmy fallon

>> yep, ambassador sondland basically implicated trump, rudy giuliani and most of his cabinet. at this point trump grabbed his chest and said, i think i'm ready for phase two of my physical. "early today" starts right now. good morning i'm frances rivera. >> and i'm phillip mena. we are just hours away from the final public hearings of the week in the impeachment inquiry. but it's ambassador gordon sondland's incendiary testimony that is still smoldering on capitol hill this morning. "the washington post" this morning summing it up with diplomat acknowledges quid pro quo. and "the new york times" in all caps, we followed the president's orders the ambassador's words reverberating throughout the testimony that followed his own. senior pentagon official laura cooper updated her closed-door deposition with new information from her staff aidas being held upils which >> my staff showed me two unclassified emails that they

iv one was received on july 25th at 2:31 p.m that email said that the ukrainian embassy and house foreigcommtee are asking about security assistance the second email was received on july 25th at 4:25 p.m. >> those emails were sent just hours after the now infamous phone call between president trump and ukraine's leader nbc's alice barr has more. >> reporter: the name gordon sondland has come up at every turn in the impeachment inquiry. now it's his turn. >> do you swear or affirm -- >> reporter: the u.s. ambassador to the european union delivering bombshell testimony that directly ties president trump to a pressure campaign in ukraine >> was there a quid pro quo? >> as i testified previously, with regard to the requested white house call and the white house meeting, the answer is yes. >> reporter: ambassador sondland says the quid pro quo pushed by

president trump's personal lawyer rudy giuliani was this, ukraine's presidenwo investigato joe biden's son and a discredited theory about 2016 election meddling. >> mr. giuliani was expressing the desires of the president of the united states and we knew these investigations were important to the president >> reporter: ambassador sondland denying what other witnesses have described as back channel diplomacy in ukraine, saying the secretary of state, vice president and others knew what was happening. >> everyone was in the loop. >> reporter: and sondland said he came to believe ukraine wouldn't get the military aid it needed until it announced the investigations >> two plus two equalled four in my mind, at that point. >> reporter: republicans emphasizing he never heard that directly from the president. >> it was a presumption. >> reporter: and ukraine did nothing but -- >> you got all three of them wrong. they get the call, they get the meeting, they get the money. it's not two plus two, it's 0

for 3. >> reporter: ambassador sondland acknowledged president trump told him directly there was no quid pro quo the president echoing those words. >> i want nothing. i want nothing i want no quid pro quo >> reporter: but sondland's testimony raises the question, did president trump's words match his actions? alice barr, nbc news, washington and president trump is claiming victory in the wake of that blockbuster hearing the president and his allies seizing on ambassador sondland's acknowledgement that the president himself never explicitly linked military aid to investigations. nbc's tracie potts joins us with the latest from d.c. the president also tried to distance himself from slopd. >> reporter: he did francence who reportedly was helping to run this so-called shadow ukraine policy president trump said, you know, i don't really know the guy very well, but watching his testimony where sondland clearly said president trump said there was no quid pro

quo, even though sondland believes that there was, the president actually believes that sondland helped him case here's what he said about sondland's testimony >> i think it was fantastic. i think they have to end it now. so what did the president want i want nothing okay i want nothing and let me tell you, it's a hoax, it's a disgrace, it's an embarrassment to our country not only did we win today, it's over >> reporter: not quite because there's more public testimony happening today from fiona hill she was the top adviser on russia in the white house with the national security council. what's key here is that she worked for former national security adviser john bolton and inlvement in ukraine policy. she's talked to lawmakers behind closed doors she is expected to talk about that today also today, david holmes, he's the diplomat who worked out of the embassy in ukraine who says he overheard a phone call in a restaurant between sondland and

president trump and they were talking about investigations frances? >> all right a whole lot to unpack from yesterday and certainly again today. tracie potts for us, thank you our special coverage of today's hearings begins at 9:00 a.m. eastern time here on nbc. in the fifth primary debate of the 2020 race, the democrats went down to georgia looking for votes to win president trump wasn't on the stage but he was the night's biggest target >> i learned something about these impeachment trials i learned, number one, that donald trump doesn't want me to be the nominee secondly, i found out that vladimir putin doesn't want me to be president. >> we have a criminal living in the white house. >> sadly, we have a president who is not only a pathological liar, he is likely the most corrupt president in the modern history of america >> if you think a woman can't beat donald trump, nancy pelosi does it every single day >> all right nbc's vaughn hillyard joining us

now. looking surprise despite the certain sleep deprivation. he's got the biggest moments a lot of fireworks we saw last night, vaughn. >> reporter: yeah, fireworks back and forth between the candidates and really jostling over who would be best to take on donald trump come november 2020 essentially up on capitol hill you have these hearings unfolding and the potential impeachment of the president of the united states. at the same time the democrats are just over two months away from the iowa caucus, and suddenly it is the mayor of south bend, indiana, pete buttigieg, who is now atop the polls over in iowa and that's where you saw pete buttigieg center stage with the other front-runners really kind of facing the -- facing the scrutiny of the rest of the stage. i want to let you hear, though, some of the back aor >> a great nation does not separate children from their families we need to live our values at the border every single day.

>> if you win the 2020 election, what would you say in your first call with russian president vladimir putin >> first, i'd say i'm sorry i beat your guy. >> i have a lot of respect for the vice president he is -- swore me into my office he's a hero. this week i hear him literally say that i don't think we should legalize marijuana i thought you might have been high when you said it. >> it you notice, i have more people supporting me in the black committee that have announced for me because they know me. they know who i am three former chairs of the black caucus the only african-american woman that's ever been elected to the united states senate. >> the other one is here. >> that's not true >> i said the first. i said the first african-american woman >> thank you >> reporter: you heard there the former vice president joe biden trying to hold on to support from communities of color. that has really kept him in national polls up at the top of

those polls. and pete buttigieg currently polling at 0% among black voters in south carolina, despite leading in iowa. a conversation over who would be the best equipped to take on donald trump come next november. you guys >> all right one of our favorite road warriors out there thank you so much. now to the queen's son making a surprise announcement prince andrew announcing that he is stepping back from public life for the foreseeable future and quilting his royal duties. this after that explosive interview with the bbc about his ties to jeffrey epstein. here's stephanie gosk. >> reporter: less than a week after an interview widely described as disastrous -- >> you were staying at the house of a convicted sex offender. >> it was a convenient place to stay. >> reporter: prince andrew, queen elizabeth's second son, made a surprise announcement he is stepping down from all public duties. writing in a statement, it has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with jeffrey epstein have become a major disruption to my family's work.

the prince, who expressed sympathy for epstein's victims and a willingness to work with law enforcement, also said that he continues to unequivocally regret his ill-judged connection to the financier, something that was less than clear in the recent interview. >> do you regret the whole friendship with epstein? >> now, still not. and the reason being is that the people that i met and the opportunities that i was given to learn either by him or because of him were actually very useful. >> reporter: since that interview a number of companies and organizations started reconsidering their partnerships with the prince's initiatives. the queen still attended an award ceremony. >> i congratulate you. >> reporter: the 93-year-old no stranger to scandals in the royal family now managing one of the worst of her lifetime. stephanie gosk, nbc news, new york

police in new jersey got a call that a car was left sitting on train tracks. the driver who was allegedly drunk was away from the tracks talking to officers when -- nobody was injured the driver of that camry was charged with driving while intoxicated. all right. let's check in with nbc military bill karins. stormy weather ahead. >> a big storm in the southwest that is going to impact a lot of people's travel weekend plans across the country now that storm is just south of vegas. we also have a little weak storm movingn ouday. so here's how it's going to play out. as we go through the next three or four days, on friday we're going to watch the storm ove rain frottl the way down to lou. on saturday, the heavier rain will move into areas through the southeast. maybe a little bit of snow on the north side of it, but not a lot. saturday evening, heavy rain into the mid-atlantic region looks like the heaviest rain in

new england as we go through saturday night and into the morning. windy, tootexas, but late-day rn moving into areas like dallas and also watching temperatures dropping in places like north texas. travel impact right through the thanksgiving week. we'll have more details coming up. >> man, that is just going to be a mess for these travellers. all right, bill, thank you. fast forwarding into thursday, tesla is set to unveil its long awaited pickup truck known as the cyber truck at an event in l.a elon musk says he drewll award his first national medal of arts at the white house >> carolyn maloney of new york

has been elected to replace the late elijah cummings as house oversight committee chair. we'll be right back. try vicks vapocool drops. it's not candy, it's powerful relief. ahhhhhh! vaporize sore throat pain with vicks vapocool drops. you sure you don't want me to come with you? i'm very sure. because i can. (laughs) make good choices. you make good choices. i am. fiber is good for digestive health. good choices never tasted so good. kellogg's raisin bran. to take care of yourself. but nature's bounty has innovative ways to help you maintain balance and help keep you active and well-rested. because hey, tomorrow's coming up fast. nature's bounty. because you're better off healthy. nature's bounty. upbeat music♪ no cover-up spray here. cheaper aerosols can cover up odors in a flowery fog. but febreze air effects eliminates odors. freshen up. don't cover up. febreze. so why treat your mouth any differently?

listerine® completes the job by preventing plaque, early gum disease, and killing up to 99.9% of germs. try listerine®. need stocking stuffers? try listerine® ready! tabs™. (danny)'s voice) of course you don'te because you didn't!? need stocking stuffers? your job isn't doing hard work... ...it's making them do hard work... ...and getting paid for it. (vo) snap and sort your expenses to save over $4,600 at tax time. quickbooks. backing you. my bladder leak underwear.orried someone might see so, i switched. to always discreet boutique. its shape-hugging threads smooth out the back. so it fits better than depend. and no one notices. always discreet.

leading the news, president trump hosted a secret dinner at the white house with facebook's ceo mark zuckerberg. the undisclosed meeting took place last month the facebook company concerned the meeting to nbc news and a source familiar with the dinner also told nbc that facebook board member peter thiel, a major trump donor was also there. appearing in a puerto rico courtroom on wednesday, ancrse . hearing from prosecutors and for the first time we are that grandfather is now talking to our kerry sanders. >> reporter: at court in san juan, puerto rico, he's charged with negligent homicide after his granddaughter chloe fell 11 stories to her death from a royal caribbean cruise ship during a family vacation in july he was holding her in the children's play area on the railing next to an open window he thought was closed. >> how do you feel about the

charges? >> reporter: not talking on camera but his attorneys say chloe's death was a horrible accident, not a crime. chloe's parents defending him last summer. speaking with nbc's savannah guthrie. >> at no point ever, ever has sam ever put our kids in danger. >> reporter: among the evidence, unreleased security video from the ship >> we have a very solid caseou t your case will show a criminal act? >> of course. >> reporter: he did talk to me off camera saying they can't do anything worse to me than ened if convicted, he could face up to three years in prison here. >> all right our thanks to kerry for that report. still ahead, turns out lizzo is 100% that breakout star, sweeping grammy nods. and ellen degeneres gives a viral lesson on love and acceptance

i can breathe again! ahhhh! i can breathe again! ughh! vicks sinex. breathe on. a lot of folks ask me why their dishwasher doesn't get everything clean. i tell the recommend cascade platinum... ...with the soaking, scrubbing and rinsing built right in. for sparkling-clean dishes, the first time. cascade platinum. only roomba i7+ uses two multi-surface rubber brushes. ♪ and picks up more pet hair than other robot vacuums.

and the filter captures 99% of dog and cat allergens. if it's not from irobot, it's not a roomba™. new pepto diarrhea to the rescue. diarrhea? its three times concentrated liquid formula coats and kills bacteria to relieve diarrhea. the leading competitor only treats symptoms. it does nothing to kill the bacteria. treat diarrhea at its source with new pepto diarrhea. how do we make a scented oil plug-in that doesn't smell fake? start with the essence of nature air wick scented oils are infused...

...with essential oils that are 100% natural. to fill every corner with the fragrance of nature. slr. you only buried $500 >> no, i invested this in 1995 i thought it would have triple by now. >> oh, that's not how investing works. >> come on, man. seriously? >> all right did you see this movie i didn't a lot of people didn't may have been disappointing but i'm guessing his "snl" return won't be the comedy legend returns to host for a fifth time this saturday "snl" also finalized next month's lineup with liz zoe

added to eddie murphy's blockbuster episode. >> wow, look at the names there for a second. >> eddie is a powerhouse. >> that's what everybody has been waiting for for decades now. will ferrell is going to get the fifth timer's jacket speaking of liz zzo, the break outstar is the most nominated artist this year ght no longersw artist falling closely behind lizzo, billie eilish and lil nas x. former first lady michelle obama got her first nomination for best spoken word album for "becoming," the really popular book that everybody seemed to have this time last year. >> man, lizzo, she is having the best year. just on fire. all right. a lesbian couple's proposal went viral after one of the women's parents disapproved. ellen offered them to their show and offered the cardboard

version of herself for the ceremony because ellen can't make it. then they were surprised by family and friends and sarah got her turn to propose. >> the way that you feel today is the way you make me feel every day and i can't wait my life spending that way -- >> i love you so much. >> the women also got $25,000 to help fund their wedding. >> congratulations to them bill's forecast is next. plus, no phone, no coffee. veinone coffee shop is making was the coffee game one phone at a time. i didn't have to get you a lift. and i we discussed how having one blood clot puts you at risk of havinher,ot. ...so we chose xarelto®, to help keep you protected. xarelto®, is proven to treat and reduce the risk of dvt or pe blood clots from happening again. in clinical trials, almost 98% of people did not have another dvt or pe. don't stop taking xarelto® without talking to your doctor,...

as this may increase your risk of blood clots. while taking, a spinal injection increases the risk of blood clots, which may cause paralysis - the inability to move. you may bruise more easily or take longer for bleeding to stop. xarelto® can cause serious and in rare cases, fatal bleeding. it may increase your risk of bleeding if you take certain medicines. get help right away for unexpected bleeding or unusual bruising. do not take xarelto® if you have an artificial heart valve... before start tand any kidneyr ...or abproblems.eeding. enjoy every moment - and help protect yourself... ...from an unexpected one, like another dvt or pe. are you doin visit xarelto.com. o wo gy about that, do i? harmful bacteria lurk just below the gum line. it works below the gum line to neutralize harmful plaque bacteria and help reverse early gum damage. gum detoxify, from crest. whether your beauty routine is 3or 57,... make nature's bounty hair skin and nails step one. it's the number one brand uniquely formulated for silky hair, glowing skin and healthy nails.

nature's bounty, because you're better off healthy. ♪upbeat musieverything was so fresh in the beginning. [sniff] ♪ dramatic music♪ but that plug quickly faded. ♪upbeat music luckily there's febreze plug. it cleans away odors and freshens for 1200 hours. [deep inhale] breathe happy with febreze plug. you sure you don't want me to come with you? i'm very sure. because i can. you make good choices. i am. fiber is good for digestive health. nyquifor your worst cold andrful relieflu symptoms, on sunday night and every night. nyquil severe. the nightime, sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, best sleep with a cold, medicine. so, let's get into that weekend forecast again it's saturday, the worst of it

atlanta northward that's where the heavy rain will be sunday we watch the storm go up into the northeast, a full fledged nor'easter storm including areaof hvys ea snow is in areas of northern new england. we'll be right back with more news . febreze finds s so, try febreze fabric refre (bubbles popping) and cleans them away as it dries. use febreze every time you tidy up to keep your whole house smelling fresh air clean. fabric refresher even works for clothes for whole home freshness. smelling fresh air clean. but in my mind i'm still 25. that's why i take osteo bi-flex, to keep me moving the way i was made to. it nourishes and strengthens my joints for the long term. osteo bi-flex - now in triple strength plus magnesium. sleep this amazing? that's a zzzquil pure zzzs sleep. our liquid has a unique botanical blend, while an optimal melatonin level means no next-day grogginess. zzzquil pure zzzs. naturally superior sleep.

we are back with today's shotn won the ultimate contest prize, a visit, a surprise one from his father army staff argument ian buck had been deployed overseas in afghanistan for the past year. well, his son was at the rangers/capitals game participating in a trivia contest to win a blue shirts jersey forget the jersey, he got the chance to see and embrace his dad in a packed arena that celebrated with a standing ovation. truly a moment luke and his dad well never forget. you hang on and you hang on tight when you're in that position right there. >> of course we always love these videos entering into the holiday season it seems like those videos pop up more and more and i love it

all right. today's top stories, "empire" star jussie smollett is suing the city of chicago and the police department for malicious prosecution. smollett, who maintains his innocence, claims chicago pd pushed a false narrative of his attack by claiming it was a hoax, causing him economic harm, humiliation and mental anguish the city is seeking $130,000 in investigative costs, but his lawyers argue that they already accepted $10,000 from him as payment in full. a bill supporting the rights of hong kong protesters is heading to president trump's desk the legislation passed in the senate unanimously and the house passed the senate's version by a margin of 471-1. the bill would set up potential sanctions against officials responsible for human rights violations in hong kong. it is unclear if the president will sign the bill this could complicate the administration's trade talks with china could mobile-only coffee shops be a trend

ba bandit opened in new york city no cash, no cards. if you don't have a smartphone, you're out of luck earlier this morning starbucks opened its first mobile pickup cafe also here in new york city. >> own the world we are entering in seems like it's going to be more and more common. >> all through your phone. check out this green bean casserole fit for a giant, a green giant. >> slush >> this is the world's largest ever serving of the classic thanksgiving side dish we're talking about 1,000 pounds of this casserole. reportedly contains over 100,000 green beans and almost 500 cans of mushroom soup, the cream of mushroom soup that always comes with it. best of all, though, it will be donated to feed homebound seniors across nyc >> it's too much i like green bean casserole but that's a lot. all right. one pittsburgh penguin is celebrating a huge milestone mickey the macaroni penguin

celebrating her 35 birthday. made out of ice and fish, made out of ice and fish, scallops made out of ice and fish, scallops ♪ meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow. ♪ ♪ meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow. ♪ still the only one cats ask for by name. ♪ meow, meow. tto harrison, the wine tcollection.. to craig, this rock. i leave these things to my heirs, all 39 million of you, on one condition. that you do everything to preserve and protect them. with love, california. thanks to move free ultra i keep up with this little one. see the world with this guy. and hit the town with these girls.

in a clinical study, 4 out of 5 users felt better joint comfort. move free. find our coupon in sunday's paper. and a good thursday morning to you, november 21st. taking a look outside right now at san rafael, getting started with this thursday or as many people like to call it, friday eve. thanks for starting your morning with us. i'm marcus washington. >> and i'm laura garcia. let's get to the forecast. cold this morning. >> it is cool this morning and our air is drying out as we see across the region the storm system spinning to the south. we are going to continue to see that weather system moving away. it's causing our winds to calm down. palo alto our temperatures in the mid-40s and reachi