>> coming up on the second hour of ayman, the fate of medication abortion access in the hands of partisan conservative judges dent rejecting republican debt limit plan. naacp president joins me to discuss his plea to congress, and major losses for election deniers. there has been severe upsets at the ballot box this week. i am charles blow in for ayman, let's get started. , this week, there was a major

development in the high stakes legal battle to abortion access, the most high stakes since the supreme court overturned roe v. wade. a federal court of appeals heard arguments on why the widely used abortion drug mifepristone should be available. and attorney for the pharmaceutical company and anti-abortion groups squared off and a circuit court of appeals, which has historically been one of the nation's most conservative appeals court. during the tour to the hearing, the panel of judges, all of whom had previously backed abortion restrictions took repeated shots at the fda and, in the process, expose their fundamental lack of knowledge with the facts behind medication abortion. the hearing turned hostile within seconds with the judge james ho interrupting a lawyer after she described the landmark case as unprecedented in her opening statement.

judge how asked that she, quote, just focus on the facts of the case rather than have the sort of fda can do no wrong theme. in another stunning moment, attorney wilson inserted by allowing medical professionals other than doctors to prescribe mifepristone, the fda made it quote more likely that it would be emergency care including surgery. to be clear, there is no scientific evidence to back up wilson's claim. in fact, it became increasingly clear that the judges were not really interested in the facts at all, failing to address blatantly false claims from anti abortion challenges. for example, a senior counsel for the alliance defending freedom said, quote, it was not about ending abortion but ending a particularly dangerous type of abortion. they seem to be ignoring the many studies that show that mifepristone is incredibly safe and effective medication, safer than other commonly prescribed drugs like tylenol and viagra.

the appeals court ruling could come at any moment, regardless of what the ruling says, the supreme court will almost certainly hear an appeal. in the meantime, we should call out the hearing for what it really was. these weren't impartial jurors carefully weighing the merits of the case. these were partisan actors, welding their power to push a political agenda. here's how slates mark joseph stern described, quote, a humiliating farce from start to finish. let's discuss with jacqueline ayers, senior vice president of policy organizing campaigns at planned parenthood federation of america. jacqueline, i want to get your reaction first to what you saw about the safety of mifepristone was repeatedly called into question. based on your expertise, what can you tell us about the drug and its safety, and what do you make at the judges questioning about that? >> yeah, we have over two

decades of where this medication has been available in the united states but we only have two look internationally to know that it's been much longer, very much safely used medication, abortion mifepristone is, in fact, makes up about 50% of the abortions in this country. we know that it is safe, effective and often the choice of many patients. what we saw these judges do was insert politics and their individual personal views about a fda tested and reviewed, safely used drug that scientists, medical associations, pharmaceutical companies, advocates and patients, all, want to defer to the fda and not judges. it should be no surprise that the three judges who are trump -appointed have a history of being hostile to abortion rights. we saw their line of questioning continue on the track. the amount of misinformation and complete chaos that causes when people read about the

misinformation around medication it's quite dangerous. we really want to make sure that these are judges -- these are not judges decisions but peoples, patients and their doctors. >> jacqueline, talk us through the immediate impact of a suspension, assuming there may be one of mifepristone, and what could that mean, and how will your organization have to adapt as you would wait for it to be appealed by the supreme court? >> i think, unfortunately, we are seeing so many examples of states that are hostile to abortion rights getting and jumping ahead of the supreme court's decision. just this week, we've seen north carolina, nebraska, continuing to go after abortion at 12 weeks or earlier, at points in time when people don't realize that they are pregnant. what we're seeing our whole swath of regions of the country are going to be continuing to

lose access. we know that when we're taking away peoples options to choose what is the best health care for them and making that in consultation with their doctors, we see increasingly a lot of misinformation, disinformation out there. we think that as states start to move, we will already see the impact -- we only had to look at the fact that one year since the dobbs decision, a year and a half since texas passed its restrictions on abortion, limiting access, people are having to make difficult decisions right now. it is only going to get worse when you have to leave your job, travel a state, have basis for your childcare and have your options limited about what is the most safe and preferred method for you. we're just going to continue to see that many of the politicians and judges are really out of step or the majority of american voters are. >> jacqueline, before we go, i want to switch gears.

this week, planned parenthood took an unprecedented step. your organization is calling for major reform in front of a judiciary, including expanding its supreme court, adding term limits and a court of ethics. what led to that decision and what will come from? >> there as really been a decade of the been in process. as we used to at times believe that the court could be the backstop, that courts could make the decisions to protect freedom. right now, we're seeing that courts are taking rights and freedom away, so planned parenthood and the planned parenthood action fund was pleased to join our friends -- democracy reform and social right justice movements, a joint effort to call for reforms that makes the courts work again for people. we want to be able to actually trust that the courts are applying the laws, not removing 50-year-old precedents.

we think that this is the long term fight, but it is worth it to be in this fight to be able to name -- the courts need to make the type of changes, examples that you just mentioned, term limits for example, a great way to make sure that the judges who sit on the courts are actually reflecting the views of people, that we have never seen occurrence, experiences, understanding about how you apply the law and precedent. so, we will continue to join coalition partners in this effort. we think that even if we don't have the votes in congress today, it's important to plant our voice because we want our patients to know we're in the long term fight to get back the federal right to an abortion. >> i also want to ask about a new report from the wall street journal, according to doctors review by the midwest anti abortion group, reportedly using cell phone data to target online visitors of certain planned parenthood clinics. after visiting the clinics,

were served as included copies that it may not be too late to save your pregnancy. what's your reaction to this report, and is your organization taken any action, legal or otherwise? >> you know, this is really unscrupulous behavior. the idea that you take a patient and intentionally give them misinformation and try to lead a decision that they made, which is why we know they ended up at health centers about their care and lead people this way is quite dangerous. what planned parenthood affiliates across the country, health centers, what they will continue to do is to make sure that people getting accurate information from their sexual reproductive health care providers and leaders, planned parenthood website continues to be an accurate source of information that thousands and thousands of people visit every month to get accurate information that they can trust from a provider and a brand that they know, and we think it's really important to continue to call out these

types of behaviors when it is happening. if it was up to us, we think it is to educate the public right now about all of the misinformation. we know that because the patchwork of laws right now across the country that we're continuing to see people who live in states with access don't even know what their rights are. we're going to continue to fight, educate and continue to provide care. >> planned parenthood is also taking actions outside the court. your organization is launching an effort to put abortion on the florida ballot next year, setting the stage for a high profile battle with republican governor ron desantis as he prepares to run for president. what more can you tell us about this effort, and how you are preparing for this battle with ron desantis? >> yeah, the organization, a coalition instate of many partners, floridians protecting freedom, are going to be moving a constitutional battle

initiative to the people. if you look at 2022, we saw many states, when the voters asked this question, kentucky, kansas and michigan, good places that we saw, where voters actually do not agree with less rights, when asked, they're actually demonstrating that the politicians who are making these decisions are not standing with their constituents, and that's exactly what we saw in florida as they rushed to push through a six-week abortion ban that we saw people taking to the state house and taking to the streets, speaking out. we think that's why it's important for this ballot measure to bring the question back to the people and other state constitution should protect abortion. >> jacqueline ayers, thank you so much for joining us tonight. we really appreciate it. still to come were less than two weeks away from a possible death default. naacp president derek johnson has a warning for congress. but first, richard louis is here with the headlines.

hey, richard? >> hey, charles, good to see. good evening to you as well. joe biden will soon meet with ukraine president volodymyr zelenskyy at the g7 summit in hiroshima, japan. the meeting comes after the u. s. announced support for international effort to train ukrainian pilots on f-16 fighter jets. biden is also expected to announcer $375 million military aid package for ukraine. the kremlin opened a retaliatory arrest warrant for prosecutor and several judges at the international criminal court. russian officials said in a statement that icc officials, quote, issued unlawful decisions against president vladimir putin. in march, i see prosecutor kareem khan issued an arrest warrant for putin, accusing him of overseeing the deportation of children from ukraine to russia. and republican senator tim scott filed paperwork with the federal election commission to run for president for 2024. scott plans to announce his campaign on monday in his hometown of north charleston,

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it to the president's back in the country. on pray for us, we sent a responsible, sensible, for 97 days. he ignored us >> that was how speaker kevin mccarthy saying republicans won't negotiate on the debt ceiling until president biden returns to the u.s.. the white house has yet to respond directly to mccarthy but released a statement that read, in part, quote, the remains a path forward to arrive at a reasonable bipartisan agreement if republicans come back to the table to negotiate in good faith. but president biden will not accept a wish list of extreme maga priorities that would punish the middle class and neediest americans and set our economic crisis back. this comes after the president of the naacp made an urgent plea to congress, reject republican debt ceiling plan

because it will disproportionately harm black communities. this comes in response to reports that legislators are considering that ceiling deals that would cap a federal spending on medicaid, pell grants and a supplement assistance program or snap. republicans are also pushing to toughen the requirements to receive federal aid. in an open letter to congress, naacp president derrick johnson wrote, quote, these proposals are designed to play on racist stereotypes, masquerading as some policy. he added, quote, who are many allies and partners in congress who have claimed to support black lives, we are grateful for your past support and need you to know that this is a moment of choosing. joining me now is naacp president derrick johnson. biden has left open the possibility of some concessions

on federal spending and expanding some work requirements as part of a debt ceiling deal. democrats, including congresswoman jamila jayapal spoken up against that. do you have faith that the president will hold the line on these republican proposals? >> we must make very clear, the individuals of our community should not be a pawn in a then just came around -- in fact, they're not should be a question. it is a false choice of a manufactured crisis by individuals who are trying to steal the donors from increasing taxes on vital programs that primarily support black americans and millions of americans across the country. >> last month, the congressional budget office estimated that 1. 5 million people with likely lose medicaid coverage under the gop plan to tie tougher work

requirements to federal aid. they also added that it would, quote, have a negligible effect on employment status or hours worked by people who would be subjected to the work requirements. so what is the actual outcome going to be? what is the point of these work requirements if they're not going to increase the number of other people to work? >> this has always been about who gets taxed, who's not taxed, and those tax cuts are spent on. for the conservatives, their goal is to cut as many programs as possible to justify maintaining tax cuts for the most wealthiest individuals in the country. unfortunately, this history continues to play out, decade after decade. this is nothing new. -- the clinton years, where we actually eradicated the debt only four d bush administration to start a war, put taxes, create cycle, and we're back in it again. >> but stay on that is three

for a while, because the republican plan is kind of reagan-esque. the trump administration for medicare encouraged states for enrollees not actively seeking jobs. do you describe this as part of this long plan, a scheme by republicans for decades to target the most vulnerable people in the country? >> absolutely, you think about when the new deal clause was put into place in response to the act, they were upset because two things -- the reality for them, one there will be stronger regulations around environment and influence and how countries operate and, two, in order to get us out of that great depression, that the most wealthiest individuals in the country will be taxed. we have been fighting that

fight ever since. that's what we did not have anything that looked like universal health care until medicare and medicaid were put into place in the 60s. that's what there was this big push against the affordable care act. that's why we're in this protracted conversation that individuals in congress are nothing more than pawns for the most wealthiest individuals in this country so that they don't want to pay their fair share in taxes. >> in your letter, you and it would a morning for lawmakers. you say the nation, especially black america, is watching. do you think the white house and congress is listening to what you're saying? >> i would hope so. the election is next year. it is crucial that the black community issues are taken into account. this is not a bipartisan issue. needs and interests are at the forefront and a priority, don whether democrat or republican, or you lose the black folk. this is bad policy masquerading because the republicans know if

you frustrate the black base, it will be hard for us to win. when democrats must understand that in order to win, they need to protect hard fought against that black voters won in 2020 and not concede to this manufactured crisis. >> derrick johnson, thank you for your time, sir, i appreciate it. next, it was a very bad week for election deniers, and i will tell you why. your best defense against erosion and cavities is strong enamel- nothing beats it. new pronamel active shield actively shields the enamel to defend against erosion and cavities. i think that this product is a gamechanger for my patients- it really works. wayfair has nice prices gamechanger for my patients- so you can have nice things. hah! kelly clarkson, we have a kid... and harold. wayfair's got just what you need... performance fabrics, stains don't stand a chance.

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that streak continued this week with gop candidates who made election denialism a centerpiece of their campaigns, crashed and burned into kentucky and pennsylvania republican primaries. but just because they're losing at the polls does not mean that the big lie is that and buried. the new york times reported that trump allies and state legislatures across the country are operating just outside the spotlight for behind the scenes to impose stricter election laws and pressure for the next time the trump is on the ballot. my panel joins me now. bezos michael, democratic strategist and former executive director of the new york state democratic party. francesca furey knee, correspondent and msnbc political analysts, and fernanda -- basil, to give you an idea of some of the losers here, there is kentucky secretary of state candidates stephen amber, who

touted the luck of hacked voting machines. pennsylvania judge patricia -- who voted to stop certifying the 2020 elections have lost their primary for state. also in pennsylvania, conspiracy theorists ashley duff, who was backed by -- ceo mike lindell, who lost her county commission primary. what's going on here? >> owing to the segment, nothing succeeds like success. if you're not winning, if you realize your strategy is not a winning strategy and i think we can go back to not only the biden election of 2020 but going into 2022's midterm election, with the strategies are not winning, you have to rethink, retool and step back and figure out what's wrong. what's wrong is that the country is losing more of those in the principles that if it does about believing the

conspiracy theories. there are fewer and fewer voters that are willing to stomach that. there are so many other things going on in the country, so many other elections that need to be focused on going into 2024. on the one hand, there are a number of republican voters saying, look, we need to move on. but owing to the new york times report, one thing i've always said is that there are a lot of these folks who don't necessarily believe that they may be able to win a national office. but they can be a wedge in local offices and local republican parties. that's the next step that i think we have to be mindful of, what's happening within the states, particularly in the party structure, where you may still have a lot of these deniers. >> let's drill down on that a bit. i want to get your opinion on whether or not you believe republican voters have actually lost their taste for election denialism or is this type of messaging only something that works when donald trump says it, or if he is on the ballot?

>> charles, sadly, i thought the republican voters have lost their appetite because all you have to do is look at the republican presidential primary polls where donald trump has a commanding lead as the person at the vanguard, the person pushing this election denialism. i think what happens, one of the better ways we can understand this, charles, is instead of looking at it as election denialism or whether or not republicans have gotten to the point where they're past it or not, it's really about this point of an attack on democracy. republicans understand as the demographic changes, the country continues to evolve, especially in the new cycle. millennials are now much more and gates into the electoral process and the electorate. we see generation z, as well. they have a massive problem with voters so all of the stop and trying to diminish elections is really about the denial of democracy and you see it every step and stage of the way. this is also, as basil said

earlier, being put into practice, not just some of the key states but some of the key practices. there is a movement underway by the republican party to take away access to voting by younger voters that they're losing overwhelmingly. whether that's restricting voting on college campuses, making it harder for more rigorous i. d. checks, it's a systematic attack on democracy. i don't see any signs of a abating. >> francesca, why would republican candidates keep centering election denialism if it keeps losing cycle after cycle? >> absolutely, i think it's a lesson. you don't say that part. you think that part, u. n. acquisition to do the part next time. let's focus on the elections we can break in the future in our favor, as fernand just pointed out. they want to buy off the trump apple, right? they want to see if they can tie on the lmgte head.

is the maga base going to smile at them? what they get a podcast out of it? i don't know, right? what's kari lake doing right now? susie, that is all it is. how could this be a branding exercise for me, and it's not even working for that, which is reassuring. again, you've got to look forward. i think a lot of republicans are waiting in the wings going, look i did not like what was going on january six because, honestly, i believe in cheating the right way. >> let's talk about this new york times report about how the gop has moved the assault on voting access behind the scenes. ohio republicans passed new limits on voting by mail -- arkansas republicans banned ballot drop boxes, wyoming republicans voted their voting window. they're all doing things kind of quietly. mass media, fake media is not focusing a lot on it. what do you make of what is happening? >> it's all part and parcel to the over 200 bills that are

going to legislatures across the country to suppress the the vote in some way shape or form. it's part of the over 500 bills across the country to limit the way certain subjects, practically those in communities of color and lgbtq communities are being taught and criminalization of teachers and librarians. it's all part of the same when people say anti woke, it's been more pro racial hierarchy strategy. having said that, it goes back to what i said before which is if you look at what is happening within the states, there has been a lot more damage being done that what we're talking about donald trump doing as president. it's been a lot more time focusing on secretaries of state because we now realize that for those that weren't

involved in state party politics, secretaries of state actually have a huge role in putting elections together. and who gets on the ball and how people vote. i think one of the things that democrats have been spot to do is contesting every race. that's extraordinarily important. you cannot leave any race uncontested because a lot of the activities it's not just about what donald trump is doing but about all of these other seats with in states, all of these boards, all of these authorities, these quasi-governmental agencies, where you can have a trump aligned representatives in power making those decisions. that's what i think the challenge going forward, paying attention to all those moves. >> fernand, francesca mentioned kari lake, the election denying governor, a candidate, who lost antifa terms. she was in court this week. her case challenges those results, and it on thursday. one of her own witnesses went on the stand and talked about how thoroughly the ballot counting process was.

do you think that we're seeing the last of kari lake, would you think that this process is going to drag itself out more? >> i wish it was the former, charles, but no, it is going to continue to drag itself out. this republican party at the day, not every single one of them, but most of them, unfortunately a lot of the electorate lives in there alternative facts created world so election results when it does not go their way, it can become inconvenient facts that they have to continue making the case against. when it comes to kari lake, i think you will see her look at this arizona senate race, where she has an opportunity to come in and, again, try to up and the apple cart, divide and the strap, and if election results don't go her way, likely call fell again and this corruption to just attack our institutions,

attack our democracy and delegitimized the process. that is the end goal here because fundamentally, we've seen this election after election, this is not a position that the vast majority of american voters support, whether it's in the election results are even in pulling, over and over again, and republican party continues because it is their only two left that they can acknowledge the results as they were, otherwise they got away at the wigs. >> okay, stay with me. next, it's a senator showdown for the worst at the week. josh hawley versus ted cruz. hawley versus ted cruz. it's nothing... sounds like something. ♪when you have nausea, heartburn, indigestion♪ ♪upset stomach, diarrhea♪ pepto bismol coats and soothes for fast relief when you need it most. (wheezing) asthma isn't pretty. it's the moment when you realize that a good day... is about to become a bad one. but then, i remembered that the world is so much bigger than that, with trelegy.

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here this week, does not mean that we're skipping worst of the week. today senator matchup perfectly sums up some at the gop's narrow view of gender. first up, senor josh hawley, a first timer of course that the week. he has been promoting his new book that talks about the most important issue facing americans today, a supposed masculinity crisis. they're at the 200 or so pages, josh hawley schools fathers for having children out of what the, failing to get jobs, committing crime and playing video games. according to him, every man is called to be a warrior. on that note, the book never mentions the most famous moment of a josh hawley's life, the day he raised his fist in solidarity with the pro trump mob on january six, only to run for his life in terror moments later.

then we have returning worst of the week winner, senator ted cruz. texas is facing a housing crisis, a multi-year drought and epidemic of mass shootings, so naturally, cruz is opening an investigation into bud lights partnership with trans influencer david mulvaney. in an open letter, cruz misgenders mulvaney multiple times and asked whether the campaign, quote, violates the beer institutes guidelines, prohibiting marketing to under-aged individuals. it's hard to believe the under age thing is a motivation here when just last month, the right lost its collective mind when it learned that but light is not just for straight, cisgender men. let's bring back my panel. so basil, what's your pick? josh hawley or cruise? >> you know, i want to say ted

crews, that's my knee-jerk because of so much he could be doing to solve the comprises and the violence in texas but one thing that i will say about josh there and his book and manhood -- it is this recurrent the from the trump years in office and subsequent to that. this toxic masculinity that, in itself, has run amok. we saw it from 2016 in every single trump rally, and we've seen it by so many trump acolytes. it's a faux masculinity. i can't even speak to how dangerous it is in terms of the message that it sends to our young people. i've got to actually put both of them up as my winners, if you well, of the week, just how

bad they are as leaders and how that of an example to setting for men, if you will, across the country. >> so francesca, i saw you nodding about cruz and then nodding when he talked about josh hawley, so who are you choosing here? >> he's cheating, you have to pick one. >> i know. >> all right, but for me, it's obviously josh hawley. although, i will also say that i am concerned about manhood, specifically in the republican party, a party that consistently hands they're false over to donald trump, day in and day out. god, just a party of beto's, if you ask me. this guy lost, and you still follow him around? i feel like there is something on manly about talking about how fragile manhood is like constantly. i will swipe left on that.

and finally, it's amazing to meet that a man will write an entire book about manhood being under attack before going to therapy. guys, tony soprano went to therapy, all right, a very manly guy in your narrow vision of what manhood is. anyway, it's josh hawley, of course. >> so, fernando, i don't know what basil was doing, we have one for josh hawley. how do you weigh in? >> i think there's definitely a winner, and as much i would like to give it to josh hawley, who sounds like he needs to get out at the senate courtroom and go to the psychology couch. there's a lot of projection about who didn't to manhood. i don't know what it is, clearly his psychological issues. the worst of the week is the perennial worst of the week, again, one at the worst of the year contenders on the show, ted cruz. i know we played a sometimes for laughs, but when you think about the fact that texas has

had some absolute carnage and tragic mass shootings taking place under's nose on his constituents, and this supposed conservative, who is supposedly for the philosophy that says they stay out of the private sector's business is now focused on how private company manages its own marketing campaigns speaks again to not only the hypocrisy attackers in the republican party but the dereliction of duty. what there are people and human innocence, children and babies being shot to smithereens in the state of texas, ted cruz is chasing strongman and marketing campaigns instead of doing's job. it shameful that he is the absolute worst of the week. >> okay, basil, i will come back to you. you have to break the tie. let me let you stay on cruz for a second. i'll ask you a question about him. cruz has indicated to and highs

are bush that the investigation will be dropped if they sever prized with dylan mulvaney and apologize for advertising trans genders, which i should note that they're not doing. isn't it funny to see ted cruz write a letter to anheuser bush but not right letters to gun manufacturers who some would argue is deliberately marketing to young people? >> i think that is absolutely right. i speak on that violence as someone who was shot when i was 12 by a 14-year-old. this hits him for me. many people would say in response to violence in the street that we should be arming teachers and everybody should be getting a gun. therefore, we will be a whole lot safer. that strategy and mindset is one of the most dangerous things -- dangerous conversations that we've had in america for a long time. ted cruz is my perennial non favorite person but seeing what

he has not done to save children, keep babies safe, it's quite horrendous. yes, if you're giving me now the final word, a ticket to the finish line, now, i will have to go with ted cruz, jess because i put my personal example into the conversation. that counts for something. >> ted cruz, a repeat winner. francesca, at risk of this conversation going completely off the rails, i have to ask you, what is it with conservatives like josh hawley and their obsession with masculinity? we saw tucker carlson released a documentary on it this year but the issue. >> oh yeah, the testicle panning, everyone paid no, we will not forget that image ever. it's bizarre, right? it's really sad, as if we did not just have a president who was just convicted of sexual abuse. and when he was given an

opportunity to say, to say, remember you said way back when and how success it was to grapple and by the genitals, he said, oh yeah, you can because i am a celebrity. he effectively doubled down on it. yes, we have a problem with masculinity. it is that toxic masculinity, the fact that 99% of mass shooters are men. miss me with the video games bs, it is about guns and you're skewed vision about what a man should and must be. as a woman whose rights are being stripped away every single moment and state across the country, it's funny to me. you're like, when all women's rights and trans people rights and queer people rights, when all those get stripped away, what happens to the cis, straight, white guy? do you grow wings? what do you get? do you grow a few inches, you know what i am saying? what is in it for you? you are going to get money? no, you will not get any of that stuff. >> i am not touching that.

basil smikle, francesca fiorentini and fernand amandi, thank you all so much, i really appreciate it. next, a preview of the final episode of leguizamo does america. (woman) with verizon's new myplan, i get exactly what i want. and only pay for what i need. (man) now i'm in charge... ...of my plan. (vo) introducing myplan from verizon. you get exactly what you want and only pay for what you need. and it all starts at just $30. it's your verizon. trelegy for copd. ♪ birds flyin' high, you know how i feel. ♪

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present the final episode of leguizamo does america. this week, john leguizamo is in los angeles speaking to trail blazers like george lopez and robert rodriguez about the lack of latino representation in film and television. >> i want to understand how you started, man, because you're surely one at the pioneers who brought independent films to everyone and allowed everyone to believe that they could possibly make an independent film. you are one of those guys. >> it's something that i always loved to do. i loved being creative. i was not very good in school. i'd be in the back making flip cartoon movies with spanish english dictionary's. people would laugh.

i would go, gosh, i could entertain them with my are and movies, but what job could i ever get? no one came out of texas as a filmmaker, so it was not like that was a dream that was possible. i did not know anyone in l. a. but i kept making these things as a hobby. i love drawing, photography and music. movies let me put on my hobbies under one umbrella. i can draw the storyboards, had it in, -- i just started doing it. i did local contests but did not think it was a way in. i just did the work, and i decided to go make maria chi, not to break it into the u.s., i was going to make it in spanish and so it to the spanish home video market. i would be the king if i make money doing what i love. just be self sufficient, i am a family attend kids, we know how to survive and nothing. let me go make stuff for a living. went to the spanish company market, sent it to an agent out of the blue.

he sent it around town, and it got bought by columbia pictures. before i knew it, we were 23. it happened so fast. >> you only did it for $7, 000, which is a miracle. >> only, like who had $7,000 hang out or their pocket, that was a lot of money. when people say, it only cost seven, seven, do you have 7000 that i can borrow now? that's a lot of money to a kid in college. i had to go to medical research study to make money in one month to go do that. >> you became a guinea pig -- >> yeah, i was a guinea pig for cash. i wrote a over that but that was in the hospital. i am getting paid to write, i kept telling myself. my producer and star of that film, he sold some land for the other half. i only had to come up with half. we were in it together. we thought we could sell it for roughly 10,000 or 15,000. >> that's incredible, man. >> you can watch the all new episode of leguizamo does americas sunday at ten p am

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well i guess i would've gotten us xfinity... and we'd have a better view. do you need mulch? i'm craig melvin. what, we have a ton of mulch. >> and i'm natalie morales. >> and this is dateline. >> this doesn't happen in our happy little world. >> their world shattered, a young mother strangled.

>> we had a homicide