this morning on "world news now," tonight's political showdown. >> the republicans take the debate stage tonight in las vegas for the final time this year as a new national poll shows donald trump's biggest lead yet. plus, is trump fit enough to serve? his doctor weighs in. social media investigation. the disturbing messages posted by a california terrorist. responsible for that deadly rampage in san bernardino. why was she allowed into the country? >> terror truck. how did a texas plumber's pickup truck wind up in the hands of militants in syria? the trade. the new lawsuits and a search for an plains. and world premiere. all the anticipation, all the buzz after the biggest stars in hollywood got to see the "star wars" movie before everyone

else. we're there live on this tuesday, december 15th. >> announcer: from abc news, this is "world news now." >> doing that music. >> don't chew your pen. >> does david muir do that? >> "world news now" tonight? never. >> robin roberts, george stephanopoulos, never see them. >> hello. the "star wars" number going to be part of the show because the fans and the celebrities are watching it right now. there's been this huge embargo. it ends fairly soon. we're going to monitor who has broken the embargo. >> what did you call it? in our meeting you had a name. >> it's our feature. a semi regular feature just for tonight called who has broken the embargo. someone is bound to do it. it's "star wars." >> oh, you know who might not be? maybe the republicans because they've got a big night tonight. >> they have. >> not just "star wars." there's a showdown also in

las vegas. not just l.a. >> no, but i think this competes with "star wars" for the title of the best show in town. tonight's debate, if not best show in the world -- with a fascinating new poll showing trump at 41%, his high left level of support and widest lead of any poll so far. the caucus state of iowa, rumph is now in a virtual dead heat with senator ted cruz. >> your voice, your vote. ansah celia vega is in las vegas ahead of tonight's republican debate. >> reporter: after vowing to release his full medical report, republican donald trump instead offered up just this short note from his doctor, saying trump's physical strength and stamina are extraordinary." and in true trump fashion, the doctor declaring that, "if elected, mr. trump, i can state unequivocally, will be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency." and now, the stage is set for a donald trump/ted cruz vegas showdown.

trump's front-runner standing now facing a very real threat from the texas senator, who at a private fundraiser recently questioned the reality star's judgment. trump now on the attack. >> the way he's dealt with the senate, where he goes in there like a, you know, frankly like a little bit of a maniac. you can't walk into the senate and scream and call people liars and not be able to cajole and get along with people. >> reporter: cruz's response? tweeting that famous scene in "flashdance" -- ♪ she's a maniac ♪ maniac >> reporter: but not hitting trump back. cruz has spent months cozying up to the billionaire. >> look, it's not complicated. number one, i like donald. but number two, everywhere donald goes, he brings a hundred television cameras with him. >> reporter: cruz hoping to eventually inherit trump's supporters. but the idea of trump and cruz leading the pack has some

republicans worried and donald trump will be center stage because of his front-runner status. because of those polls, ted cruz will be right there next to him. they are friends, men vying for the same republican primary voters this entire campaign. but for this debate, the gloves may very well come off. cecilia vega, abc news, las vegas. >> you do have that sense of, oh, sorry. >> we want to remind everyone to stay with abc news for the coverage tonight and tomorrow morning. our deputy political director will be here with analysis. you were saying? >> i can't wait. and i think you get the sense people are slightly board of ted cruz being nice to donald trump. >> they want to see them in action. >> i had a good phrase earlier on the television where someone with said if it whittles down to just ted cruz and donald trump, they'll be like two scorpions in a box. >> two scorpions in a box. >> more of that tomorrow and more later tonight, as well. the stars were out in force and still are in los angeles.

for one of the biggest premieres in recent memory. >> of course we're talking about the world premiere of "star wars: the force awakens." it was so big it spanned three different theaters and right in the middle of it all is abc's lauren lyster. lucky gal live in hollywood. good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning. richard and reena. this movie has inspired lightsabers. it's even inspired toasters. according to fans i've talked to as the premier wraps up it inspired them, too. i'm talking about "star wars" and the percent awakens comes 38 years after that first movie debuted. storm troopers, c 3 po and r d 2 close behind and tight security for a who's who have "a" list stars. join boyega starring in the lead role as fin. >> the best part is meeting with the fans. >> plus harrison ford, george lucas and a thumbs up from steven spielberg all hitting the rid carpet for a highly

anticipated film people know little about till now. >> it was everything i expected and more. and there was a lot of surprises. >> there was a really big plot twist that blew my mind a little bit. i was not expecting that at all. >> i thought it was really, really well done. yeah. >> i'm blown away. it was so good. >> "the force awakens" will open later this week on 4,000 screens across country. back in 1977, at the start of the franchise, "star wars" opened in less than 50 theaters. no red carpet premiere. the director george lucas was so sure it would flop, he was getting away from it all, vacationing in hawaii. >> we're home. >> reporter: back then, harrison ford says when he first played the role of hans solo, he could not have imagined the success "star wars" would have now. >> i'm really excited to get had movie out there for the audience and see how had he feel about it. >> reporter: and i'll tell you, the anticipation and the secrecy

copied through tonight. we had fans that had been camping out that found out they were going to be able to see the premiere and they got to. also we were told that guests didn't even though which theater they would see the movie in until they arrived here tonight. reena, richard? >> different time zones. we're in new york, you're in l.a. the celebrities, fans are they out, have they seen the movie and have they left now? >> they have seen the movie. you saw reactions from people we spoke to here in my piece. they're partying. there's an after party going on behind me on this red carpet on this portion of hollywood boulevard that's been shutdown for this huge event. >> if they're partying, lauren, any indication about the movie's plot? have we learned anything new about it without spoiling it. >> don't spoil it. >> we can't spoil it. >> you know, i actually tried to get some people to spoil it for me. i just wanted to know what happened. these fans are so diehard, they wouldn't tell me.

as you heard one person said there's a huge twist they weren't expecting. one of the things that people were excited for was the return of the old characters from the original trilogy. and fans told us they really loved how that came out, that the combination of the newcomers with the old characters was done really well. in addition, people loved the practical effects. things like the droids, as opposed to the computer generated effects in the last trilogy. j.j. abrams tried to get back to the practical effects. people loved it. >> that's a start. we're going to monitor social media to see if people are break the embargo tonight because they're not meant to. someone is bound to spill, right? >> you know. >> you guys are on a mission for that. >> we are. i want to know if the ewoks are back in or not. i hope they didn't get left out of the movie. >> she doesn't note. >> i heard they're out, if i remember correctly. but don't quote me on that. >> lauren, we will speak to you. >> abc's lauren lyster. >> remember my prediction. she said one of the fans said there is a massive twist.

my prediction is luke skywalker has gone bad. >> i don't want to shake on that. >> we'll find out on twitter later. >> i don't want him to go bad. how about a turn to more serious news. bill cosby fighting back against some of the women who accused him of sexual misconduct. he's filed a defamation counter suit against 7 of more than 50 women. he says their claimses are driven by hopes of financial gain. their lawyers disagree. >> this is a page from the defense attorney's handbook. my seven clients intend to vigorously proceed with their case. each one them are confident that their good name and reputation will be restored at the end of the day. >> cosby's legal action comes the same day boston university announced it's taking away his honorary degree, one of more than a dozen institutions to do so in the past year. >> a maryland man charged with receiving thousands of dollars from isis in order to carry out a terror attack on american sil.

mohammed elshinawy was arrested. the fbi first became suspicious of him when he starred getting money orders from egypt. he denies the charges. >> homeland security new focus follows the shooting rampage in san bernardino when tashfeen malik came to the united states for the first time and had already sent extensive messages about jihad. officials were prevented from seeing those because of a secret policy to save the administration embarrassment. >> the primary concern was that it would be viewed negatively if it was disclosed publicly. and there were concerns that it would be embarrassing >> also part of the investigation that search of the lake nearby turned up no evidence according to law enforcement officials. the fbi has not commented. today is the enrollment deadline for millions of americans signing up for health care insurance under obamacare.

the federal government wants 10 million people enrolled in the new year, 900,000 more than this year. enrollees can expect to pay 7 1/2% more more coverage as health care costs go up. >> you had a panicked moment earlier. wasn't sure if you paid your premium. >> i haven't done so. i'm uninsured. don't injure me. >> try not to the. top investment houses are dialing down their iphone forecasts. they expect sales to go down next year for the first time ever. why? higher prices in overseas markets and more users already have smart phones. it is a huge part of apple's revenues and profits. >> does have to plateau at some point, doesn't it? here's something no one should try on their own. an extreme skier named sammy carlson flying off the largest ski jump in the western hemisphere. >> located on michigan's upper peninsula. sammy wasn't satisfied going forward so for good measure he did it backwardses, as well.

>> look at that. look at the camera tracking him. sensational. he's an stretched over 500 feet. the video is part of a new film. it's called a ski jump filmed called the "the sammy c. project." >> coming up "the mix," the shirtless bachelor interviewed while jogging in the rain and his unusual wave looking for love. >> also ahead, more coverage of "star wars," as well. we'll look at the patient fans waiting earlier for the theater doors to open. what has been keeping this ep motivated. >> but first those viral pictures a texas plumber's truck now in the hands of syrian terrorists. that plumber demanding answers. you're watching "world news now." so how ya doing? enough pressure in here for ya? ugh. my sinuses are killing me. yeah...just wait 'til we hit ten thousand feet. i'm gonna take mucinex sinus-max. too late, we're about to take off. these dissolve fast. they're new liquid gels. and you're coming with me... wait, what?! you realize i have gold status?

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so police say a disgrubtalled customer drove his truck through the lobby of this comfort inn in oklahoma. bam, unbelievable. two people jumping out of the way just seconds before the truck crashed through the front doors and then the front desk, the driver was apparently angry over not getting a cash refund. >> amazing. > now he faces several serious charges. >> amazing footage. there's a scene like that in the first terminator. ever wonder what happens to your old truck or car when he sell it or trade it in? many are shipped overseas. >> i get it. that proved a nightmare for some texas businesses. indicate lynn mcculley has the

story. >> reporter: amidst all the gunfire, blood shed and overall chaos in syria right now this truck from a texas city plumber ended up in the center of it. this picture shows the former mark one plumbing truck carrying heavy artillery, a terrorist group tweeted out the picture and ever since then the chaos in syria hit home for this family-owned business. >> his secretary was recently called an isis soos [ expletive ] so just not flattering things. but also some were scary. some were people i'm going to come kick your [ expletive ]. you don't want to be an american get out of here and i'll help you go. >> attorney craig elan lanified a lawsuit on behalf mark one plumbing against autonation. it was supposed to remove the company decal before selling it and obviously that didn't happen. >> the son started to take the decals off and was told don't do

that. you might scratch the paint. we will do it. >> autonation resold the truck at an auctioning in d dallas an someone from turkey bought the truck and had it shipped out of the country from the port of houston. i talked with a spokesman for autonation over the phone. their company is investigating how this happened. >> we immediately sent the vehicle to auction and the understanding was that the markings would come off vehicle. i'm not sure where the breakdown was between autonation and the auction. >> eland says mark one plumb is has lost business because of the ordeal and the employees are still afraid to come two. they hope this lawsuit will help them recover financially and prevent something like this from happening again. >> thank you very much, indicate lynn reporting from our station in houston. >> steve colbert did a good joke where he said a machine gun being fired off the back of a pickup fruk in the desert could still be texas. >> coming up in our next half hour, hearing loud and clear. it's the top tech gifts for

christmas. how can you find the best deals on phones, headphones? you're watching "world news now." >> announcer: "world news

>> i find your lack of faith disturbing. >> lord fader using the dark side of the force disturbed by others' lack of faith. he may be happy to find out true believers are braving the elements to see the new "star wars" film. >> abc's nick watt has more. >> get ready. >> for what. >> >> happy "star wars"ing. > nine days these fans have been in line. caroline and andrew are from australia, getting married in the line on thursday. >> who is officiating?

>> we have a good friend that happens to be a celebrant. ob shawn. the force wakens will open on over 4,000 screens this week. back in '77, "star wars" opened on just 32. this one included. an instant hit darth vader was soon leaving his footprints it here outside the chinese theater. >> gorge lucas watched the first one from here. this is the place to be. >> reporter: in 1999 for the phantom menace, the line at the chinese tradition was born. >> ihended up meeting my husband in line. >> this is the result? >> this is result. >> nate's been in line over a week already. that "star wars" comes up on the screen, it's a little kid inside he says is this really happening? >> if there's a center of the universe glorious nerd dom it's right here. >> reporter: nick watt, abc news, los angeles. >> and stay with us tonight as

we find out later if anyone has broken the embargo. >> nicely done. ♪

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100 blow-dries is gone. pantene. strong is beautiful. welcome back. it's time for "the mix" where we look at viral stories. we're going to start by talking about "star wars" again. yesterday, we talked about how there have been complaints. this had gone viral of a starbucks polar bear cookie that looked like it had its neck. >> supposed to be a red scarf. >> it looked like it was slit and people complained about it anyway turns out what we meant was the snowman, not the polar bear friends at starbucks were watching. > they weighed in and said guess what, it's been discontinued. there's a reason we couldn't find the polar bears for the show yesterday. it was kiss discontinued in 2010. the snowman is in. by the way, they also have these gingerbread ugly sweater cookies. that's what they call them which do have red sweater smooze we're making amends with our friends

at starbucks. these cookies look mm delicious. >> have one. dig in, please. >> >> come on, why not. >> help yourself. >> i think it's undignified to do it and 0 the telly but i'll do it. >> these are delicious. >> they're good. >> much better than peet's. >> we want to tell you about another story out in chicago i believe. of a shirtless runner. it's so hot in chicago, a station out there found in the rain a man wearing nothing except maybe a little something underneath there. and so they wanted to know why he was doing it. turns out he ends up using this as a way to explain he's single. do you know what? they got quite a few hits on this. 25,000 likes. 3 million views. by the way, the guy reporting, you see him right there? he used to anchor "world news now" with me last summer. that's haety mon bradley. there's a selfie we took right

on the show. now he's out there in the elements. >> okay. >> helping the single men of the world find love. >> in the news meeting when we talked about this particular feature, i thought they meant you co-anchored with a guy who ran without a shirt in chicago which i thought might had provide a challenge to your happy family existence. >> to you and next man sitting in the claire. >> yeah, 3 milli hits. he remains single. and we have -- this is the ncaa basketball team, their particular type of celebration. they always show off their celebrations. this going viral. they've won six games and lost three. bang, in it goes. then they are -- it's orchestrated. and it's. >> they're doing well. 6-3. they're 6-3. >> this is a pony in the uk in a onesie.

>> there you go. lookw

this morning on "world news now," challenging trump. the republicans ready to take the debate stage tonight as donald trump sees his biggest lead yet. the latest showdown just hours away. >> amazing poll. how did the woman responsible for killing 14 people in san bernardino get into the country after her disturbing social media posts? the terror investigation takes a new turn. and new this morning, the "star wars" world premiere. >> first reaction to the film is in after last night's big event. and why "the force awakens" is so important to moviemakers. we are live in l.a. >> and later, saluting serena williams and her accomplishments as a tennis champ. the big athletic honor in "the skinny" on this tuesday, december 15th. >> announcer: from abc news, this is "world news now."