good afternoon. i'm sheinelle jones coming to you live from msnbc world headquarters in new york. 3:00 p.m. on the east, high noon out west and at this hour on good terms. questions about donald trump's relationship with the rnc. his campaign say their ties are closer than ever. strategists now working out of trump tower.

what does it say about the party's confidence in its candidate? >> the blitz continues. hillary clinton entering day two of her massive fundraising effort on both coasts. this as the rnc takes aim at the donors writing the checks. and wrapping things up in rio. preparations under way right now for tonight's closing ceremony as ryan lock hte opens up as we. >> in what perhaps is part of his campaign to reboot donald trump is now making a play for african american voters. >> the gop is the party of abraham lincoln. and i want our party to be the home of the african american voter once again.

>> hillary clinton currently leads african american voters by 90 points. can donald trump change that around? jacob rascon at the rally last night in virginia. trump has received a lot of criticism for saying african americans have, quote, nothing to lose. how is the campaign responding to the criticism today? >> essentially they are saying give him credit to bring it up. this goeses to the is it central criticism of his campaign which is really that donald trump is a racist. that he is only appealing to the white voters and the poll numbers show that he's not doing well with minority voters. of course among black voters he's at 1%. the only way to go is up. so the campaign must feel that him talking about this now consistently four rallies in a row will help ease off of that criticism. we'll see if it will work or not. as today about this, the campaign manager essentially said give him credit. here is what she had to say.

>> just this week look what he talked about. he's bringing the case right to communities of color in michigan and he's speaking to all americans when he does that, and what he's doing is he's challenging the democratic party. challenging hillary clinton and president obama's legacy. >> so challenging, again, saying that he is the candidate of change. saying the policies of those democratic leaders haven't worked and hopes that message will resonate. >> the trump campaign reportedly has a new aide. working out of trump tower now three to four days a week. what do we know about this new arrangement with the rnc. >> he's been working with the rnc as a communication director. he's now working more closely with the campaign. what the campaign manager said this morning was that he'll work more closely. though he's not officially joining the campaign. and she tweeted out today "thank you reince."

so it almost sounds as if they asked can we have this help and the rnc said okay. you can have it. a. the race for campaign cash is heating up. both candidates posting big numbers for july. both candidates had a strong month. hillary clinton halled in nearly 20 million more than trump bringing her totals to 53 million dollars. with a nantucket event and a big ticket event with singer justin timmer lake next week. the rnc is claiming her fundraising efforts make her out of touch. >> welcome aboard hillary clinton's liberal elite summer tour. with frequent stops in beverly hills, hollywood and cape cod. please use caution when opening the over head bins, as hillary's baggage may have shifted during

flight. >> kasie, clinton's super pac has pulled out of swing states like virginia and colorado and pennsylvania. will her campaign have to re-up funding there? >> the battle strait ground map has really shifted in hillary clinton's favor. that is why uv seen the super pac make some junlts to spending in those states. a lot of republicans i've talked to particularly in colorado believe that the state is likely out of reach. so that helps explain why they are not spending money there. but that doesn't mean they are obviously not going to have to continue these fundraising operations and campaign and super pac are not allowed to coordinate but you can see them mirror each other how they act in the states as far as tv advertising. that is also why you are seeing hillary clinton stay off the campaign trail right now taking the fundraising tour.

it is typical in this period of august. mitt romney in 2012 spent much of the last part of august. and donald trump a different type of candidate not doing quite as much. >> and the clinton campaign is facing new criticism over foreign donations made to the clinton foundation. how are are they responding to that? >> the clinton foundation came out and announced they will stop accepting foreign donations if hillary clinton is elected president and this is raising a couple of questions. first if they shouldn't be accepting foreign donations, why won't they do that now? because this is something that they also did during her tenure as secretary of state. so if it is something they need to change when she's president, for example why wouldn't they have changed it when she was serving as secretary state. these are questions republicans are asking. >> we now need donald trump to explain to us the extent to

which the hand of the kremlin is at the core of his own campaign. there is a web of financial interests that have not been disclosed. and there are real questions being raised about whether donald trump himself is just a puppet for the kremlin in this race. >> this a tussle back and forth between who has more foreign influence potentially on their campaign. obviously trump's campaign has dealt with some of this in the context of the paul manefort. the former campaign chairman who had ties to a pro russia party in ukraine. manefort of course has left his post. >> nbc's kasie hunt. thank you. five new cases of the mosquito born zika virus have been reported in south beach miami. bringing the total of home grown zika cases in florida to 36. city workers busy removing brush and standing water to prevent further spread of the disease.

hoar ears more on how tourists and residents are reacting. >> reporter: people are concerned, no doubt about that. but not so concerned that most people are changing what they do. the beaches are packed. and there'll there are still plenty of people in the outdoor cafes. five new cases the last week. three locals, three visitors. it seems like a small area but keep in mind this is the heart of miami beach and this is where all the tourists come and visit. >> nbc's tammy lightener. thank you. >> next a look at trump's newly focused campaign and the work they are doing to close the gap the hillary clinton. what if a company that didn't make cars made plastics that make them lighter?

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he's bringing the case right to people of mission. and what he's doing is challenging the democratic party. challenging hillary clinton and president obama's legacy. >> reinforcing her candidate's recent message to black voters across the country. let's talk about it. joining us now for the latest on the race for the white house. republican strategist, reuters campaign reporter and democratic strategist. good afternoon all of you. let's dig in. a pugh poll this week showed donald trump at 2% of african american voters national. how much of a boost can he realistically get?

and which states could it really help? >> at this point in the campaigns of 2008 and 12 romney and mccain were around 5%. as the significant number. holding him bachblgt but if you look at the key states he's got to win. ohio north carolina, pennsylvania. and virginia in there. he's got to put the coalition together in that state. he's not going to go up much more with african american or hispanic votes. so the key is can he just get a few more extra points there and then try to spread a few of the other points around so he can take those states. >>what would we have to say? >> i don't think he can say anything, quite frankly. and it has to be more than talk. in reality this is johnny come lately. he's had many opportunities to talk to the african american communities and even when he's talking now, he's not talking to black folk. he only talks about the issues in front of white a audiences. he denied the invitation from

the naacp and more. and the best commitment is what he's done in the past. his company was sued for racial discrimination. he embraced before he denounced the president of the can, kk. and on and on and on. the proof is in the pudding the proof is in the policy. his plan to lift african americans out of poverty and he has no plans. so it's empty to me. >> this morning we saw republican national committee chairman reince priebus he inflamed the race the last week for trump. take a look. and then we'll talk about it. >> -- whether or not in the fall making the case to the american people that the outsider, which is what the american people want. they want that outsider. they want that product that donald trump presents. not hillary clinton. but they also need to know that it is going to be a safe product. and i think if you look a at the last week and a half, i think

donald trump understands it. i think he's being consistent. >> so what do you think? there is a case to be made that maybe this pivot, if you will, will stop the bleeding. will it work? >> i have a hard time believing that the past week and a half is going to somehow make the past year and a half not exist. people are going to be looking at the totality of this campaign and while it is important what the candidate says and does going forward n this case consistency is important. and if it is something that we're seeing a sunday shift and the we is why didn't we see this sudden shift earlier. so there is ways to talk about communities and talk about policy in a concrete manner but i think it is really hard because when it comes to minority voters trump is largely running against himself. >> it is a different story for the clinton campaign. they start to create a gap with trump but still have a new story this week about e-mails or the family foundation. is this a nagging problem that they are really concerned about

behind the scenes? >> this is where i agree with bernie sanders. enough with the damn e-mails. we moved beyond that. the it's been investigated. there is no conclusive evidence of any wrong doing. let's move on. and hillary clinton is doing exactly what she's doing. and that is right. talk about the issues. meet with people where they are and that is why she's leading in the polls national. and even in the battle ground states and donald trump is just stuck in this whole narrative of divisiveness and without talking about specific solutions to the problems that every day americans are experiencing. >> we heard from the trump campaign today that the rnc communications director sean spicer could be spending three or four days a a week alongside the clinton campaign. here is my question for you. will he help keep things stable? is he going to stick to the script? is he going to stick to the prompter? or will this just not last? everybody is talk about the new ceo or campaign ceo steve bannan

for example. or will he say you know what? we want a more spontaneous combative campaign. >> sean is very talented. he's a friend of mine. i've worked with kellyanne. they have a really good deem. but in north carolina, ballots are going to be mailed in three weeks. we're almost there. it is almost go time. i don't know if you can make up eight points in ohio or six points in ohio. >> does he need to stick to the script? >> well obviously he needs to stick to the script. that is the most important thing. if they could pivot back to the e-mails as rick was saying -- he wants them to be ignored. but it is a big story and there is a lawsuit she's going to have to testify on those e-mails coming up very soon and this is going to be interesting and is there a false surprise that could throw this into a loop. and frankly i wouldn't put it past anything at this election. >> this is a look at our bald

ground map. it has hillary clinton with over 270 electoral votes rights now. if the election were held today hillary clinton would win essentially. so what do you expect the republican kpab to do? >> first of all the caveat that the election is not being held today. no votes have been cast. early voting is starting soon. the candidates need to lock that down. but there is -- i'm not going say a lot of time but there is some time. we're not quite to labor day. i think now trump need to go out and needs to show he can be steady and consistent. some of the ad libs need to be reigned in a little wit. and i think they need to talk strategically how they put the coalition together. what are the ceilings on different groups. and if you maximize the numbers, what line can you get to. work with it. >> lot of work to co- >> one point. >> really quickly. >> this is not a pivot. it is a pause. and just in the next week or two

i promise you you will see play again and the same donald trump. >> some people do think it is a pitt. we'll have to see. >> -- all trump needs is four states and he's got it. >> ohio, pennsylvania, florida. not gonna happen. and north carolina. >> thank you for talking with us this morning. and we'll talk again soon. this afternoon i should say. this week president obama heads to louisiana to get a firsthand look at the devastating floods between baton rouge and new orleans. next a new round of storms are creating new worries following the worst flooding since katrina . by choosing flonase, you're choosing more complete allergy relief and all the enjoyment that comes along with it. when we breathe in allergens, our bodies react by overproducing 6 key inflammatory substances. most allergy pills only control 1. flonase controls 6. and six is greater than one. with flonase, more complete relief means enjoyment

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thousands. >> when we left i took some clothes in a bag and definitely my medication that i could carry. and i got one of my insulin pens. i couldn't get the rest because it has to be refrigerate. so i grabbed what i could to put in there. we left out. we went through a lot of water. through the back street. >> president obama will get a firsthand look at the devastation when he visits louisiana tuesday. joined live from louisiana. the president has been criticized for not visiting sooner. what do you expect the reception will be? and it's raining there. it's challenge. >> reporter: certainly is. the president will certainly be more welcomed than this thunderstorm we're having right now. yet another rainstorm effecting the clean up here. it's rained every day since august 12th when 31 inches of rain fell here. the clean up is under way. people have removed the contents of their homes and ripping up

the sheet rock and carpeting trying to get everything out on the curb so they can begin the process of picking all of this up that begins tomorrow here in baton rouge. estimated 58% of east baton rouge parish was under water during this flood, where we are now. 38% of the structures were affected by this storm. the problem is it flooded areas that hadn't seen high water before. this isn't a floodplain area. so the people here could have got flood insurance. the sad thing about 20% of the residents in the flood zone actually have flood insurance. and there's been an issue with the president staying on vacation and not coming here to visit. he'll be here on tuesday but there's been little criticism of the federal response here. it's been massive. already the federal government,

fema has taken in more than 100,000 applications for help. but the sad reality is that if you are uninsured the maximum fema will be able to help you is about 30,000 dollars. and that will never help replace the belongs and damage to your homes. >> next the fight on the you are a air waves and on the ground. donald trump trailing hillary clinton in the latest round of national polling. will his new focus help reel in new support? isaac hou has mastered gravity defying moves to amaze his audience. great show. here you go. now he's added a new routine. making depositing a check seem so effortless. easy to use chase technology, for whatever you're trying to master. isaac, are you ready?

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the greatest olympic one dacareer of all time.. a dog, talked. we're decedent from the mighty wolf. a voice was heard. if you build it, he will come. a girl discovered magic. a revolution began. welcome, to the wonders that happen, everyday. welcome, to it all. comcast.

what powers the digital world? communication. like centurylink's broadband network that gives 35,000 fans a cutting edge game experience. or the network that keeps a leading hotel chain's guests connected at work, and at play. or the it platform that powers millions of ecards every day for one of the largest greeting card companies. businesses count on communication, and communication counts on centurylink. i'm sheinelle jones, thanks for sticking with us. a look at some of the stories we're following. donald trump continuic focus on winning over american voters telling the pride of virginia last night the party of lincoln should be the home of black voters. hillary clinton on a fundraising

blitz. today in massachusetts. next stop, california. and somalia at least nine are dead after simultaneous suicide bombings. one at the government building the other at a nearby market. the al qaeda link group al shabbat has claimed responsibility. and a suicide bombing in a wedding party in turkey. at least 51 confirmed dead. today funerals were held for the victims. turkey's president blames isis for the attack. and donald trump now is behind nine points in the latest nbc poll national. and the map looks bleak. the latest update has clinton winning in an electoral slide with more than 348 to trump's 190 electoral votes. joining us is the university of virginia larry sab tow. gampb good afternoon to you.

>> good afternoon. >> larry, 348 is the big headline number but the most important number is 273 which you say is the number of votes she gets from states that are likely democrat. meaning she has a decent sized lead. with 263 she wins the election. describe the path trump has to overcome to win as we currently stand? >> he would have to turn around several big states. florida and ohio would be the first two. the latest poll in ohio released by cbs this morning has clinton increasing her lead there. florida is in clinton's camp by about five. ohio is five or six. pennsylvania is in the recent polling at least nearly or actually over double digits and then you have lots of other states that are normally considered swing state, including virginia which i'm sure has been effected by this

election of tim kaine as vice president. and look around the country and it is tough to find states that trump can turn that obama won. >> if he is going to make a comeback, where does he need to start? >> well he needs to start one of those big states. he needs some momentum. he needs to stop talking about states that he has almost no chance to win, whether it is california or connecticut or oregon. he and his people bring up some unusual states, where i think he just has almost no chance. he needs to focus virtually all of his effort and advertising in just a handful of larger states. if he gets better polling numbers in september and october, then he can claim some momentum and try and collect some smaller prizes. >> for all the talk of the

troubles in the trump campaign and republicans distancing themselves. if your prediction of getting 190 electoral votes is right that's more than john mccain received in 2008. and only 16 less than mitt romney received in 2012. so do you think if trump could get more republican party support he could still outperform romney and mccain as far as electoral votes? >> it's possible. but, you know, we've actually been cautious. 348 to 190 is a big marge. but i'll tell you what we haven't included for hillary clinton, and we could have. there is a dead tie in georgia. there is a dead tie in arizona. those are two normally republican states. i left them in trump's camp really more for reasons of inertia than anything else. objects as rest tend to remain at rest. but we're keeping a close eye on those two sizable states. they are large states in the electoral college.

>> one poll in georgia had hillary clinton at 4 points and another had her down five. does she have a legitimate chance of flipping any of these states? >> she has very legitimate chance of flipping both georgia and arizona. i think those are her two best shots out of the ones that we've already discussed or have already allocated to her. look, georgia went for another clinton back in the 90s. so did arizona. it does happen and these states have changed a lot demographically. georgia is becoming another north carolina or virginia. arizona is becoming more like colorado because of a larger hispanic population. >> larry sabato. thank you for talking with us. if only you could give me a crystal ball in life. you could just follow me in around. >> i'd love it for the lottery if nothing else. >> thanks larry. let's bring back the panel.

phillip, i'm going start with you again. i want your take on this whole crystal ball prediction. what is your opinion? and where do you think trump should focus? >> if he can get pennsylvania, north carolina, ohio and florida he'll win. right? pennsylvania looks a little outside of the margin right now for that to even be possible. then you have to figure out the aamalgam of other states to get that electoral votes. he's got a lot of work to do. frankly i would sit in about five or six states and tell them never to donald trump outside of those states and try to make up the difference because he is down. but one of the key things i want to keep in mind is the ground game. hillary has a really great ground game turnout operation but there is not a lot of enthusiasm for her. so it is going to guarantee her one to two points. that is my prediction.

so if you are seeing polls where she's up four, think five to six in those states. and the trump organization doesn't have the turnout as of quote. >> there is a flip side to this as the electoral map gets bigger in the clinton campaign. there is a swath that they could be overextending themselves into the states like arizona and utah or georgia. while maybe trump could take the lead this some swing states like florida and ohio. should there be a strategic and financial concern here for hillary clinton? >> i don't think she's overextending. i think she is responding to where the opportunity exists. i think georgia, to larry's point is very very telling. and even in my own home state of south carolina, it is traditionally solidly republican has now moved to likely republican. so there are some very interesting dynamics in all of the states that hillary clinton is investing in. and absolutely right, the organizing on the ground, i absolutely don't see a way where donald trump can build the kind of organizational structure, as well as invest the kind of

resources that secretary clinton has already invested in a number of these states. there was an interesting piece of the "new york times" this morning that said hillary clinton's chances of losing are equal to the probability of an nfl kicker missing at the 20 yard line. that is pretty profound. >> i'm look at your face there. we were talk about early voting. the clock is ticking. early voting starts in some states in about a month. how does that impact the trump campaign? >> it makes it that much more crucial that you have a solid get out the vote campaign. and getting out the vote isn't just getting people to the polls. there is a lot of work that goes in even before that. identifying who your voters are. who among them are likely to vote. if they are not likely to vote, what are the impediments? is it because they can't get child care? they don't have a ride to polls? can you get an absentee ballot

and get them to lock their vote early. it is very hard to turn that around on a time. >> the fact that this morning trump campaign manager kelly anne conway would be doing stuff. and how quick and do you think we'll see big money behind that effort. >> trump has been raidsing a lot of money as of late. it is a handicap. they are very late in the game in starting this. again the one thing we've got going here for trump is how unpopular hillary clinton is. and if some other scandal were to break between now and election day it could give him the slingshot he needs. i don't think he needs a hail mary. i think he needs a 30 yard pass and they are going to have to complete third yard pass against pretty good defense because all she's doing right now is playing defense. >> there are so many concerns about trump in the swing states

about his temperament and about his transparency. do you think there is a thought that perhaps he releases some of his tax returns. maybe some of the years where the audits have been completed? just for voters who might be on the fence? is that something we need to see? >> i would have to pick my jaw off the floor if he released those are at this point. he's been so adamant saying i'm not going to release. it's nobody's business. what do you learn from this anyway. and another thing voters learn about him is his persona of i do what i think is right and you are not going to -- >> shouldn't he be transparent and you know, these are the years that haven't been audited. here you. >> it serves him no purpose whatsoever. the voters actually don't care. >> you really -- >> yeah. if he opened up his tax just like mitt romney did when they found out he paid 15% in taxes that it only causes more problems and damage and with so

little time left i think it is an absolute right choice for them to sit on it and not do anything. >> this is all about transparence, being honest and open with the american people. he absolutely should release and no more excuse because we have two years that have already been audited and we're learning more about the trump organization. it says a lot about how he would govern our country. >> -- really wouldn't make a difference stars his base -- >> -- used against him so much. >> that's exactly why we want them released. -- >> thank you. louisville discussion this afternoon. that's what we want. all right. next a look at the efforts to contain the many wild fires burning right now across california. progress being made but the fight far from over. and we'll take you live to rio where final preps are being made for tonight's big final to the 2016 summer games. and be sure to stick around next hour.

my colleague richard lui and his conversation with third party candidate gary johnson that's why i have the spark cash card from capital one. with it, i earn unlimited 2% cash back on all of my purchasing. and that unlimited 2% cash back from spark means thousands of dollars each year going back into my business... which adds fuel to my bottom line. what's in your wallet? if you'try clarispray.emes to escape your nasal allergies. new, from the makers of claritin. and nothing is more effective at relieving your sneezing, runny nose and nasal congestion. return to the world. try clarispray today.

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progress against the wild fire north of san bernardino, california. with 83% of the blaze now contain contained. but it is just one of six blazes currently burning across the state. communities in san luis abispo county has been ordered to evacuate as a wild fire there has gone to more than 24,000 acres. that blaze is only 35% contained at this hour. now just two miles away from the herst castle. using bulldozer and trucks and containment lines to try to protect the castle. scott is there, what's the situation on the ground now? >> reporter: we're at the staging area for the fire in san

luis abispo county and the chimney fire. and it has created some tense moments at the herst castle in san simian which is not far from here. the immediate danger to the castle seems to have a passed with the shift in winds but that puts more populated areas in danger. and we're looking at the whole rash of wild fires across california. in santa barbara, so called rain fire. sending smoke into santa barbara. that's 10% contained and 10,000 acres. and the blue cut fire in san bernardino yesterday, they have gotten that largely under control but still has charred 37,000 acres and destroyed more than a hundred structures and the big fire right now is the

sabanis fire in the big sir area. only 60% contained, 85,000 acres burned. and they say it is going to be the end of next month before they get that under control. and up north of san francisco, the clayton fire, they have gotten that largely under control. but it is really early in the fire season which is really year round now and what they are worried about is when the winds pick up in the fall these fires which already just explode from the dry bush and timbers and the drought are just going to be difficult to do. >> is there concern about the strain on resources with all these fires? >> reporter: it is always a concern. it is always costly. and it is getting to be even more so. and of course obviously not just california but throughout the west. as the fire season goes on.

so yes, this is costing lots and lots of money. they are setting more and more money aside. they have people set up and they are trying to figure out eventually how they really need to restaff these things to compensate for what is now a year round fire danger. >> thank you. in the last days of the final olympic games more controversy has erupted in the ryan lochte incident. in an exclusive interview with nbc's matt lauer lochte gave his reaction to the police press conference. >> on the phone line you said we are victims here. we are victims and we're happy that we're safe. in. in the police press conference they said not victims, they are vandals. how do you feel about that? >> it's how you want to make it look like. whether you call it a robbery or whether you call it extortion. or us paying on just for the damages. like we don't know. all we know is that there was a

gunpointed space pointed in ou direction and we were demanding to give money. >> and after weeks of an emotional roller coast we are a mix of joy and excitement. the olympic games are winding down. ron mott is with us now. and a lot of excitement, what can we expect for tonight's closing ceremony. >> reporter: hey there. i thought we just aged about 18,000 years just there great games for team usa. going to be the run away medal winners. two more picked up today for the u.s. claressa shields has successfully defended her title in women's boxing. and the going on right behind us some of the best in the national basketball association

representing team usa against serbia. the gold medal men's basketball game. the usa was up fairly comfortably at halftime. the second half should get under way here in just a moment. mike krzyzewski, the coach, saying they are not going to lay down against serbia. they had a good scare against them in pool play. the weather is a little iffy but the closing ceremony is in just a few hours here in rio. one of the big honors here of course is carrying your nation's flag. simone biles, one of the smaller giant, if you will here here team usa will be the flag bearer as they enter the stadium to bid this olympics goodbye and allow the folks from tokyo to put on their preview show for 2020. so it has been a great olympics in terms of the competition. this is not such a great moment today. they are already calling this the mongolian melt down. there was a match today where a mongolian wrestler had a point taken away after the match.

lost the bronze medal match. and these are his coaches. they stripped down in protest. we don't know how far down that strip tease went. but they are now all over the internet because they thought they should have been awarded the bronze medal. that is how much it matters sheinelle. >> we mentioned ryan lochte. what is the feeling among olympic athletes to the attention this story has received? >> well i think during the week because it got such extensive coverage and we saw some great performances in competition. usain bolt, our women's track and field teams, the men's track and field. i think a lot of athletes rightly felt this was unfair to their accomplishments to have the media presence talking about an incident last sunday involving four members of the u.s. swim team. with all of those swimmers now out of the country it seems like today in the last 24 to 30 hours has been focused back on the competition which is a great thing and hopefully tonight

there is a great sendoff with the closing ceremony. >> let's sew hope so. thank you for talk with us. ron mott in rio. and you can watch olympics closing ceremony tonight at 8:00 p.m. eastern. next, back to politics and the potential poll your support of either candidate could be taking on your social media friendships. ♪ hey, is this our turn? honey...our turn? yeah, we go left right here. (woman vo) great adventures are still out there. we'll find them in our subaru outback. (avo) love. it's what makes a subaru, a subaru. get zero percent on select subaru models during the subaru a lot to love event, now through august thirty-first. now you can't spell nutriam i right?t nut, i mean whose to say it's pronounced nu-triton, anyway? my mixes contain delicious nuts, specially blended for your optimal nut-rition. that's right, i just changed a word in the english dictionary, forever.

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in the 2016 presidential campaign has you unfriending your facebook followers, you're not the only one. with two-thirds of all americans using the social network site, it's no surprise that politics and the passion people have for it is now dominating everyone's timeline. a new piece in politico is taking on the issue of how politics via social media is ruining friendships. saying, with voters as polarized as they are on the two political parties and the two presidential candidates, it's not surprising that we hear voters talk about unfriending others.

a media reporter for politico joining us. good afternoon to you. >> hi. thanks for having me. >> a fun conversation, but i have to say i'm not really surprised. we've always been taught in this country that debate is good for democracy. so why is this trend of discussion of politics in social media a bad idea? >> it's a reflection of how polarized a lot of the political discourse has become nowadays. now, there have not been a ton of studies about exactly how many people are actually unfriending people but in 2012 pugh research found about 18% of respondents have unfriended somebody. a university ostudy out of kanss 20% would mute people on their facebook feeds. we're in an age now where you have your own kind of news service. you can curate who your friends with and what news feeds you see. it's not something so farfetched to think people are going to start, you know, only wanting to see other points of views that

they agree with. >> here's the question, doesn't unfriending someone over their political views demonstrate, i don't know, a sort of intolerance? i have to admit i've noticed it in my own feed. i try to ignore it because i'm afraid of what they'll think if i unfriend them. do you know what i mean? >> definitely. it does show a little bit of some people's uncomfortableness in countering points of view and opinions that they don't agree with and that just further goes with the polarization that we've seen not only in politics where you're either with me or you're against me, but also in everything from the media outlets that people follow. people tend to put them in different camps. and we're seeing that on social media as well. where, you know, if you have a friend or a family member even -- that was our top anecdote in that story was somebody's uncle was a very pro-trump person and it causes family rift because, you know, his nephew ended up un-friending him because of this because he was so pro-donald trump. for some people just being pro-donald trump or being pro-hillary clinton is enough of

an offense they would un-friend them on social media. >> i'm sure you've noticed the strife over politics does seem to be worse, can we blame this on the unpopularity of really both candidates? >> there's definitely an element to that. a lot of people look back on each candidate's backgrounds and disagrees with different things about them. and, you know, we also have a rise on both sides of, you know, very far either to the right or toward the left people who support different policies. we have the left wing, right wing, tea party, bernie sanders supporters and thigpengs like t. that effects all of this and so does the ecochamer you can create for yourself online. >> feels like we're right in the thick of it too, feels like we're about over but it's really not. >> we have a few more months to go. >> exactly. thank you. >> thank you. that does it for this hour of "msnbc live. i'm sheinelle jones in new york. my colleague richard lui picks things up for you right after

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good sunday to you. i'm richard lui at msnbc headquarters in new york city. it's 4:00 p.m. in the east, 1:00 in the west. this hour, under new management. after his campaign shakeup, donald trump makes a surprising play for african-american voters. >> in recent days across this country i've asked the african-american community to honor me with their vote. >> then there are the third party candidates. they see an opening. my conversation with libertarian presidential nominee gary johnson, how he's affecting the race between clinton and trump. plus, ryan lochte comes clean. the olympic swimming champion talks exclusively to nbc about what really happened that night in rio and about the backlash that followed. very good day to you. donald trump turns his focus to a new voting block. that's where wta