i'm alex witt for "early today."m going to party like it's 1999 ♪ ♪ she wore a raspberry beret the kind you buy in a second-hand store ♪ ♪ i would die for you if you want me to ♪ ♪ purple rain purple rain ♪ purple rain purple rain ♪ why do we scream at each other this is what it sound like when doves cry ♪ a sinkhole---- the size of a swimming pool--- opens up in pacific heights. the scene is secure....but getting around parts of san >>. >> a sinkhole the size of a swimming pool opens up in pacific heights. the scene is secure, but getting around parts of san francisco could be bumpy this morning. >> and rain is dampening the start of your friday. a quick look at the golden gate bridge. slick roads out there. kari hall will have your timelines yet. >>> morning turns into celebration on the streets of minneapolis remembering the life of prince this morning. "today in the bay" starts right now. >>> hit after hit. it's been unbelievable. >> so many songs synonymous. >> it's

i'm alex witt. breaking overnight, police are searching for two men considered dangerous who escaped a washington psychiatric hospital last night. police say 28-year-old anthony garber and mark alexander adams were last seen at the dining hall in lakewood, washington, last night. the pair may have escaped from a loose window in their room. both suffer from mental illness. garber was arrested in 2013 for murder one. and adams was arrested in relation to a 2013 domestic violence incident and assault. both men were found not competent to stand trial. they are considered dangerous to others and should not approach. >>> let's go to politics and the hangover from the primary is hitting hard. a new war over who's qualified to be president is escalating. at a rally attended by over 10,000 people senator bernie sanders made a startling claim. >> she has been saying lately that she thinks i am, quote, unquote, not qualified to be president. i don't think that you are qualified if you get $15 million from wall

i'm alex witt. donald trump continues his new york brawl with ted cruz hoping to put a little distance between them. he has overwhelming support in the latest new york polling. his numbers aren't as lopsided in pennsylvania, which votes at the end of the month. he leads ted cruz by just nine points there. all three republican candidates are looking to take a bite out of the 93 delegates up for grabs and nbc's peter alexander reports. >> reporter: donald trump pulled up at his manhattan high-rise facing criticism for being too insulated, trump's campaign announcing new hires. >> we need more brains and muscle. >> reporter: shifting strategy after a weak showing in wisconsin, trump scrapping a planned california trip friday and skipping colorado to focus on fortifying his lead in his home state. >> it's great to be home. this is home. it's great to be home. >> reporter: why? trump now needs 59% of remaining delegates to clinch the nomination, sweep new york and that number drops to 53%. touting suppor

i'm alex witt. the sparks were flying as the democrats battled in brooklyn in what was perhaps the most contentious debate yet. hillary clinton and bernie sanders traded jabs on topicing ranging from weapons to wall street and questioned who has the right judgment to be president. nbc's steve handelsman breaks it all down. >> reporter: it was a brawl. bernie sanders needing a knockout tuesday in the primary and hillary clinton defending her big national lead in delegates attacking one other's credibility. >> i do question her judgment. >> even his core issue, breaking up the banks, when asked, he could not explain how that would be done. >> reporter: but she gave speeches to big banks for six-figure fees. >> do we really feel confident about a candidate saying that she's going to bring change in america when she is so dependent on big money interests. i don't think so. >> this is a phony attack. >> clinton denied the banks bought her influence. >> i called them out on their mortgage behavior. >> oh,

i'm alex witt. 26 million people are in the path of a severe storm system today. reports of at least four tornados like this one in new hope, mississippi, caused severe damage, along with another in alabama. a mississippi police car lost control in that storm, hydroplaning into a tree. intense storms and funnel clouds reported across the region and further north. portioning of tennessee saw severe flooding in areas as well as strong winds and pelting hail and it is still not over. april begins with the threat of more flash flooding in the soaked south. wind damage is expected from delaware to the northern gulf coast and as far north at new england. the northeast is also bracing for colder temperatures, possibly light snow in the northeast. we'll have your full forecast in just a few minutes. >>> breaking news overnight. north korea has reportedly fired another surface-to air missile in the sea of japan. this could be in response to president obama's gathering of more than 50 leaders in washington for a two-day summit to discuss nuclear security. chief corresponden

. >> i'm alex witt, and this is "early today." ke-it's-1999 kind. back pain? helps you be the side-planking, keeping-up-with- your-girlfriend- even-though-you'll-feel-it- later kind of woman you are. body pain? motrin helps you be an unstoppable, i-can-totally-do-this- all-in-one-trip kind of woman. when pain tries to stop you, there's motrin. motrin works fast to stop pain where it starts. make it happen with motrin liquid gels. >>> leading the news on nbc news.com. donald trump's unpopularity could put the house in jeopardy. democrats would need to win 30 seats this fall in order to gain the majority. >>> usa today, obama heads to london, brexit frenzy. he shared that he believes britain should stay in the e.u., but whether he gets involved will remain to be seen. they'll hold a referendum in june to decide. >>> a candlelight vigil held last night. it was part of bring back our girls week, which commemorates the anniversary in the hopes of bringing national attention back to the still missing girls. >>> a pair ever giant pandas made their way, after the chin

i'm alex witt. this is "early today." is "ear." this is lulu, our newest dog.said it's too much work. lulu's hair just floats. uhh help me! (doorbell) mom, check this out. wow. swiffer sweeper, and dusters. this is what i'm talking about. look at that. sticks to this better than it sticks to lulu. that's your hair lulu! mom, can we have another dog? (laughing) trap and lock up to 4x more dirt, dust and hair than the store brand stop cleaning. start swiffer ing >>> leading the news on nbc news.com, the zika test gets fda approval. it was granted emergency use authorization yesterday. the cdc recommends those who are pregnant and those who have had symptoms, or who have traveled to zika areas. the test cost $500 and can be ordered through quest diagnostics. >>> also on nbc.com, birth rates plummet among blacks and latinos since 2006. according to a new government report, the rate is still twice as high as white teens. >>> in the telegraph, full minute of jet air on take our child to work day. employee's child was in the office for the day, and pressed a button. >

. >> i'm alex witt, this is "early today." can a toothpaste do everything well?! it added this other level of clean to it. it just kinda like...wiped everything clean. 6x cleaning my teeth are glowing. they are so white. 6x whitening i actually really like the 2 steps. step 1, cleans step 2, whitens. every time i use this together, it felt like... ...leaving the dentist office. crest hd. 6x cleaning, 6x whitening i would switch to crest hd over what i was using before. >>> the most-read story in the "washington post".com, in new zealand octopus slips out of aquarium tank, crawls across floor, escaped down a pipe into the ocean. according to researchers, he squeezed his football-sized body into a six-inch drain and headed toward the pacific. how did he know? >> i want to steal this -- he's armed and dangerous. >> last rubio delegates up for grabs on the convention's first ballot after dropping out of the presidential race. the florida senator asked local party officials to keep his delegates, but at least 34 of his 172 delegates will be up for grabs at this summer

. >>> good morning, everyone, i'm alex witt if new york. just days before the big primary in this state, but most of the candidates are elsewhere, for various reasons. hillary clinton today in california. sanders back from rome with few word on whether he met with the pope and ted cruz wiging it out west. but all of this as cruz and donald trump exchange very different views on the electoral process. >> we have a rigged system. the republican system is rigged. okay. it's a rigged system. >> we are seeing republicans coming together and uniting behind this campaign. >> cruz is going really down. he's the last hope, hoo es the last hope to stop trump. that's all he's got going. >> if we unite, we are going to win the republican nomination and if we unite, we are going to win the general election. >> we are voting three days, but we also look at what happens on the campaign's move to the next big election prizes, right here on msnbc. the place for politics. >> as the republican candidates get ready to fight over new york's 95 delegates, donald

. >>> i'm alex witt at msnbc headquarters. questions are mounting this morning over what caused music legend prince's death. authorities say it could be weeks before we know a detailed answer. an autopsy was taken friday. funeral plans remain under wraps. the 57-year-old was found unresponsive thursday in his paisley park estate in chanhassen, minnesota. it comes days after cancelled shows and emergency plane landing for emergency treatment. blake mccoy is at prince's recording studio and residence in chanhassen. are we expecting any official updates today? >> good morning, alex. the answer is not what people are going to want to hear. unfortunately authorities say there's nothing more to update until the toxicology results come back which could take several weeks. the physical autopsy was completed yesterday. it took a few hours before his body was returned to the family. as we await the results, authorities say they are able to rule out a few things. it does not appear to be a suicide and there were no signs of foul play. ta

i'm alex witt at msnbc world headquarters, the place for politics. at the top of the hour, here is what's happening. this was the chaotic scene less than 24 hours ago when anti trump protesters surrounded the convention hotel outside san francisco right before his speech at the party's state convention. at one point protesters knocked down barricades and tried to get inside. they reportedly threw eggs and rocks and riot police. it all forced donald trump's motorcade to pull over on the shoulder of the freeway. he had to walk under a fence to enter the hotel safely. once he hit the stage, he talked about his entrance by comparing it to crossing the u.s.-mexico border. while he called for unity, he quickly slammed his republican rivals and critics. >> there should be and there has to be unity. would that being said, would i win, can i win without it? i think so. with ted cruz, he's a wonderful guy. if he wants to endorse me, that's fine, but i don't care. does that make sense to you? a guy like bush, i watched him yesterday on television knocking me. d

i'm alex witt at msnbc world headquarters, the place for politics. was the chaotic scene less than 24 hours ago when anti trump protesters surrounded the convention hotel outside san francisco right before his speech at the party's state convention. at one point protesters knocked down barricades and tried to get inside. they reportedly threw eggs and rocks and riot police. it all forced donald trump's motorcade to pull over on the shoulder of the freeway. he had to walk under a fence to enter the hotel safely

i'm alex witt. just two days from the wisconsin primary and any number of ways that can change the campaign picture in a dramatic way. on the gop side, the badger state winner could change the race and victory can mean a clear path for donald trump, defeat, a long slot through the convention process and ted cruz -- >> you know, it's gotten to the point where i couldn't care less about donald trump. >> until tuesday when the battle for wisconsin likely comes down to the two gop front-runners with cruz sensing momentum. hillary clinton and bernie sanders in a tight race in wisconsin. the consequences of either losing could alter the race. it is happening in less than 48 hours from la cross to milwaukee and green bay and parts west. we take you there as the race heats up on msnbc, the place for politics. >> we begin with new reaction from donald trump with his fight for ted cruz and what he might do if he doesn't get it. >> i would like to see a united party, but i watched the turmoil in his brain when

i'm alex witt at the place for politics. we begin with new reaction from donald trump who sat down on issues like his feud with ted and abortion comment. trump also spoke about the criticism he has been getting about foreign policy. >> i have been a politician for a short period of time. >> are you saying you have a learning curve? >> there is always a learning curve especially with nato and you are talking about this. it is a very movable subject. >> trump's sunday morning appearances coming after two other introduce were published. one with maureen doud and the other with "washington post." when announced with that issue about pressure from his daughters to be more presidential, his natural inclination is to win and after i win, i will be so presidential, you won't recognize me. you will be falling asleep you will be so bored. he echoed a similar sentiment and he went to number 1 and said why don't i keep the same thing going. i had great success and done it my way. there a lot of people who say don't change. i can be as p

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. >>> good morning, i'm alex witt if fork. it is the race for the white house. battleground wisconsin, every single candidate from beau sides is in the badger state today, with the gop warming up the clouds, including sarah palin at a fish fry. >> the entire country, its eyes are on the great state of wisconsin. >> i am so happy to be here. thank youch it is always so good to be in wisconsin. >> you have a megaphone, where you are not speaking just for this state, but the entire economy. >> reagan saved the hog here, your harley-davidson. >> i ran for congress at 30 years of age. i ran on the reagan agenda. i knew and worked with ronald reagan. >> i thank god that donald trump gets it. because he lives it. >> reporter: nominating donald trump is a train wreck. that's actually not fair to train wrecks. >> there is a reason big money and open borders and radical special interests are so madly anti-trump. >> nominating donald trump elects hillary clinton. >> meanwhile, is donald trump prepared to go rogue? we'll bring you his latest comment on a potential 3rd party

. >>> good morning, everyone, i'm alex witt here at msnbc headquarters in new york. a muddled picture for republicans. in colorado, we have a inwither, already, while it is not over yet, one candidate is walking away with a rocking out high. >>> also on the gop side, if it looks like a campaign ad and sounds like all the campaign ads and all the campaigns wonder was it a campaign ad? what is it really? >> democrats bat until wyoming today. it's all about the people buffalo and brooklyn. >> if we can win here in new york state and if we can win a considerable number of dem gather, we are on to pennsylvania and other states, we're going to win there as well. >> thank you so much! hello, buffalo! let's have a big new york vote and then help me again when i come pack in november to be your pvt.. thank you all very much. >> bill clinton on the campaign trail as well explaining what happened when interrupted by protesters. >> i know those people yesterday were just trying to get good television and they did, but that doesn't mean that i was most effective in answering it.

i'm alex witt. at the top of this hour, here's what's happening.losive new interview with conservative billionaire charles koch who explained why he's not supporting ted cruz or donald trump at the moment. >> is it possible another clinton could be better than another republican? >> it's possible. it's possible.

i'm alex witt here in new york. this is the place for politics. here's what's happening. as republican candidates get ready to fight forenew york's 95 delegates during tuesday's primary donald trump is once again ramping up his charge against the party's delegate system. here's what he said at a rally in connecticut last night. >> you know the system is rigged, folks. and the top republicans called up, donald, please, you cow stop saying that? look, i'm telling the truth. but despite the rigging i think we get there before the convention. i think we do. >> meanwhile ted cruz once again called for party unity daurg a rally in western new york last night. >> and if we come together as one, if we unite, we are going to win this republican nomination. if we unite, we are going to win the general election and beat hillary clinton. and we are going to turn this country around. >> cruz is in wyoming today as donald trump and john kasich hold events throughout new york. their last ditch efforts to new yorkers coming to time when a brand new poll shows trump maintaining the lead w

i'm alex witt here at msnbc world headquarters in new york, the place for politics.quick look at where all the candidates are today. ted cruz will speak at the california republican party state convention, as will his v.p. pick carly fiorina. john kasich will also be in the golden state campaigning in san jose. donald trump is off the campaign trail. on the democratic side hillary clinton is also taking a break although former president bill clinton has three campaign events in indiana, the first of which he wrapped up not too long ago. bernie sanders also has no events as he prepares to attend the white house correspondents' dinner tonight. joining me now msnbc's alex, another good day to you, before we get to more serious news, what do you hear about sanders going to the big dinner tonight? is this something he's done in the past? is this part of his campaign? how is it being read? >> right, alex. bit of an unusual move for bernie sanders, the 74-year-old democratic conservative. did not own a suit, i hear he's not wearing a tuxedo because he also does not wear a t

up next, my colleague alex witt. presidential campaign and you might be surprised to hear what he says about donald trump. stay with msnbc, the place for politics. make a statement... make sure it's an intelligent one. ♪ the all-new audi a4, with available virtual cockpit. ♪ rheumatoid arthritis like me,e and you're talking to a rheumatologist about a biologic... this is humira. this is humira helping to relieve my pain and protect my joints from further damage. this is humira helping me reach for more. doctors have been prescring humira for more than ten years. humira works for many adults. it targets and helps to block a specific source of inflammation that contributes to ra symptoms. humira can lower your ability to fight infections, including tuberculosis. serious, sometimes fatal infections and cancers, including lymphoma, have happened, have blood, liver and nervous system problems, serious allergic reactions, and new or worsening heart failure. before treatment get tested for tb. tell your doctor if you've bee

i'm alex witt.m the wisconsin primary and any number of ways that can change the campaign picture in a dramatic way. on the gop side, the badger state winner could change the race and victory can mean a clear path for donald trump, defeat, a long slot through the convention process and

t-i-a-a. >>> i'm alex witt on msnbc.town hall in rochester, new york, moments ago he addressed the ain't immigrant rhetoric with a story about his ma tern grandmother. >> her mother could barely speak english so people who think we ought to close our doors to immigrant immigrants nee ear dead wrong. immigrants matter. >> john kasich has two more events in the state and ted cruz will deliver remarks in colorado spring, he will then travel to las vegas. on the democrat side, voters in wyoming will gather in a half hour to caucus. 14 of the 18 delegates are up for grabs. hillary clinton and bernie sanders are both here in new york for a total of five events. clinton's only event of the day later in the afternoon in brooklyn. sanders just wrapped up a rally in manhattan and is headed to the bronx for an event scheduled for 1:30 p.m. >>> new reaction following bill clinton's exchange with black lives matter protesters over a crime bill he signed into law in 1996. it happened on thursday while campaigning for his wife in penns

i'm alex witt here at msnbc headquarters, the place for politics. a chattvoters from five states the polls. clues could be provided which way the races may turn. reimagining donald trump, his campaign team may be fighting a losing battle. here he is just a short time ago. >> donald might be changing a little bit over a period of time, and maybe he'll tone it down, maybe he won't. but who knows what happens. you know, i sort of don't like toning it down. isn't it nice i'm not one of these teleprompter guys? >> on the democrat side new polls suggest what we might be reading in the headlines come wednesday morning. it is a five-state free-for-all right here on "the place for politics." >>> let's begin with presidential politics and new reaction from donald trump about becoming more presidential. here's a live picture of the stage there -- actually the audience in bridgeport, connecticut. that is where donald trump has been working the crowd there. he's been on the stage as well. earlier this morning trump spoke about his top campaign officials saying t

i'm alex witt. donald trump returns to the campaign trail with three events in wisconsin.fight for the badgers state comes amid fallout over him saying women should be punished for having abortions. here's more of his interview on cbs' "face the nation" clarifying those comments. >> i think it would have been better up to the states. but right now the law are set. >> do you have a feeling how they should change? off talked about them from liable to torture. >> at this moment the laws are set. and i think we have to leave it that way. >> do you think it's murder, abortion? >> um, i have my opinions on it but i would rather not comment on it. >> trump did not attend the fish fry milwaukee last night where ted cruz and john kasich spoke with republicans and former alaska governor, sarah palin, of course, stood in for trump. msnbc's trymaine lee is in ra n racine ahead of a trump rally. with a good day to you. what all did the candidates say? >> good day, alex. again in wisconsin, to state the obvious, it's delegate rich state. 42 up for grab on gop side. as you mentioned, cri

i'm alex witt here at msnbc in new york. there are more questions than answers in the sudden death of the iconic music legend prince. after an hours long autopsy his family took custody of his body transported in this van you see here late friday, authorities say it could take weeks before the results are released. funeral plans remain undisclosed. the 57-year-old was found unresponsive thursday in his paisley park estate in minnesota. his death after a series of canceled shows and a reported emergency plane landing for medical treatment. nbc's blake mccoy is outside of prince's residence with more. good morning to you. what more are we learning? >> reporter: good morning. you mentioned it could take weeks before we know the cause of death because even though the physical autopsy was completed by the coroner it took about four hours, we have to wait for the toxicology results to come back and that we expect to be the most revealing about what caused prince's death. the sheriff did hold his first press conference yesterday in

. >>> good day, everyone, i'm alex witt at msnbc world headquarters in new york. it's yet again a critical weekend for both republicans and democrats in the race for the white house. in battleground wisconsin, at some point today, every contender from those parties will be in the badger state. a short time from now it's donald trump who's now hinting in a new interview again at a possible third-party run if he's not the gop candidate. and bringing in sarah palin to campaign with him at all of his stops which include one in racine. and no shortage of drama for the democrats. one candidate demanding an apology for the other and both meeting at the same place and the same time. could it get uglier? all this as lines form in wisconsin not to vote but to get an i.d. and a chance to vote. these storylines playing out right here right now on msnbc, the place for politics. >>> just two hours from new, ted cruz will deliver the keynote address at the north dakota republican party convention. at some point this weekend, those in attendance will vote on 28 unbound delegates.

alex witt is up next with a look at what's behind donald trump's new endorsements from members of congressent obama's final white house correspondents' dinner right here on msnbc, the place for politics. operator! ma'am. i'm here. i'm live. wait. you're real? yeah. with discover card, you can talk to a real person in the u.s. day or night. plus, we're not going to waste your time trying to sell you a bunch of other products you don't really need. that is really nice of you. i feel really bad about shouting at you. oh, you weren't shouting. you were just speaking in all caps. at discover, we treat you like you'd treat you. 100% u.s.-based customer service. here to help, not to sell. unless you have allergies. flonase is the first and only nasal spray approved to relieve both itchy, watery eyes and congestion. no other nasal allergy spray can say that. go ahead, embrace those beautiful moments. flonase changes everything. innovative sonicare technology with up to 27% more brush movements versus oral b. get healthier gums in 2 weeks guaranteed. innovation and you. philips sonicare. save when

i'm alex witt. it was a tale of two rallies, one in the heart of new york city. bernie sanders down double digits in the polls to hillary clinton spoke from beneath the arch in washington square park. he drew an estimated 27,000 people with manhattan and an illuminating empire state building as the back drop. in pittsburgh, donald trump up by 28 points, drew another crowd of some 4,500. but outside unrest as protesters and supporters clashed. police say they pepper sprayed the officers and trump backers. >>> new reports say donald trump's campaign manager will not be prosecuted for an incident with a reporter last month. politico was the first to report, that a florida prosecutor will not pursue the case against corey lewandowski who was charged with simple battery. michelle fields filed a police report for aggressively moving her out of trump's way. and the trump campaign has not commented. last night, fields tweeted, quote, prosecutor's office said they'd inform me of decision tomorrow. if reports are true, they decided to leak to reporters first. ugly. and the

don't go anywhere, my colleague alex witt will pick up live coverage.er pac who says trump never expected to be president in the first place, stay with msnbc, the place for politics. a lot more ahead. the orders were rushing in. i could feel our deadlines racing towards us. we didn't need a loan. we needed short-term funding fast. building 18 homes in 4 ½ months? that was a leap. but i knew i could rely on american express to help me buy those building materials. amex helped me buy the inventory i needed. our amex helped us fill the orders. just like that. another step on the journey. will you be ready when growth presents itself? realize your buying power at open.com (mui love being able to touch the screen. umm, you can do things on the fly, if you're trying to teach a kid about a proboscis, just sketch it on there and you've got it immediately. yeah, i like that. i don't have a touch screen on my mac. there it is... this is where i met your grandpa. right under this tree. ♪ (man) some things are worth holding onto. they're hugging the tree. (man) tha

it's thursday, april 28th, i'm alex witt.t was a big win for donald trump as some of pennsylvania's unbound republican delegates identified their choices yesterday. and nbc news found of the 54, 35 are going for trump on the first convention ballot. two are for ted cruz, eight are uncommitted. this puts trump just nine votes short of 1,000 delegates and ted cruz more than 400 votes behind. trump has won 51% of the delegates awarded so far. and the billionaire went into tuesday needing 57% of the remaining delegates. now he just needs 49%. >> nobody is getting to 1,237 delegates. and the hoosier state is going to have a powerful voice in making that clear. >> having taken a big hit in the delegate race on tuesday, ted cruz changed up his campaign by throwing what "usa today" is calling a hail carly in indianapolis yesterday. he announced former rival carly fiorina as his chosen vice presidential candidate. they tacked a new sign on the podium and fiorina stepped into the role, taking aim at donald trump. >> this is a fight for

i'm alex witt. it was a tale of two rallies, one in the heart of new york city.n the polls to hillary cln

it's thursday, april 28th, i'm alex witt.f pennsylvania's unbound republican delegates identified their choices yesterday. and nbc news found of the

i'm alex witt.t night's races, reading off the results was short and sweet for donald trump. three of the five races were called immediately for the republican front-runner with the final two falling his way minutes later. the clean sweep moves the first-time politician that much closer to the 1,237 delegates needed to lock up the nomination and avoid a fight on the convention floor in cleveland this summer. it was also a big night for hillary clinton who won four of the five states in her quest to shake off bernie sanders. and push ahead to the general election. donald trump's wins were sweeping and the margins were wide. trump won with 64% in rhode island, 61% in delaware, 58% in connecticut, 57% in pennsylvania and 54% in maryland. last night, trump basked in his victories in a press conference in trump tower. >> this is a far bigger win than we even expected. all five. that s

i'm alex witt. race for the democratic nomination and it all got started yesterday on "morning joe" when hillary clinton was asked in light of bernie sanders' latest interview with "the new york dailys"

i'm alex witt. it was a giant day of events with the 2016 field and we have it all covered for you. let's start with the democrats and just days ahead of the new york primary, hillary clinton and bernie sanders faced off in a fiery debate last night in brooklyn. just miles away from the center of the financial universe, the issue of wall street took center stage. things got heated early when senator sanders was asked to make a decision that secretary clinton made as senate that showed she favored banks because of the money she received from them and clinton was asked why she wouldn't release the transcripts and put the issue to rest. >> look, there are certain -- there are certain expectations when you run for president. this is a new one. and i have said if everybody agrees to do it, because there are speeches for money on the other side, i know that. but i will tell you this. there is -- there is a long standing expectation that everybody running release their tax returns and you can go -- you can go to my website and see eight years of tax returns and i have released 30 years of

i'm alex witt here at msnbc world headquarters in new york, the place for politics.nging you live pictures right now of the state in racine, wisconsin, where donald trump will hold a rally any time now. his return to wisconsin comes after a break from the campaign trail amid fallout over comments about abortion. he is once again clarifying his comments during an interview that will air on cbs's "face the nation" tomorrow. >> was asked as a hypothetical, hypothetically, hypothetically. the laws are set now on abortion, and that's the way they're going to remain until they're changed. >> all right. meanwhile, an hour from now, ted cruz will deliver the keynote address at the north dakota republican party convention. at some point this weekend, all those in attendance will vote on 28 unbound delegates. on the democrat side, hillary clinton and bernie sanders will cross paths at the wisconsin dems party dinner tonight, and it comes at a time of increased tension between both parties after clinton called sanders a liar for accusing her campaign of taking donations from th

i'm alex witt. chaos as donald trump kicked off his california campaign last night.ta mesa grew from blocking traffic to protesters aggressively swarming cars. at one point, busting a police cruiser's windows. with one man stomping on it. protesters forcing police to close streets, others witnessed people jumping on street signs and throwing bricks. the smell of burnt rubber filled the air as a car was doing doughnuts. police say 20 people were arrested but reported no major injuries in what was the worst violence s

i'm alex witt. gloves are off in the race for the democratic nomination and it all got started yesterday on "morning joe" when hillary clinton was asked in light of bernie sanders' latest interview with "the new york daily news" editorial board if he was qualified to be president. >> if you look at bernie sanders would you say this guy is ready for president of the united states? >> well, i think he hadn't done his homework and he'd been talking for more than a year about doing things that he obviously hadn't really studied or understood. and that does raise a lot of questions. and really what it goes to is for voters to ask themselves can he deliver what he's talking about? and i will leave it to voters to decide who of us can do the job that the country needs. who can do all aspects of the job. both on the economic domestic issues and on national security and foreign policy. >> and then senator sanders said this at a rally last night in philadelphia. >> she has been saying lately that she thinks t

i'm alex witt. for all of the build-up to last night's races, reading off the results was short and sweet for donald trump. three of the five races were called immediately for the republican front-runner with the final two falling his way minutes later. the clean sweep moves the first-time politician that much closer to the 1,237 delegates needed to lock up the nomination and avoid a fight on the convention floor in cleveland this summer. it was also a big night for hillary clinton who won four of the five states in her quest to shake off bernie sanders. and push ahead to the general election. donald trump's wins were sweeping and the margins were wide. trump won with 64% in rhode island, 61% in delaware, 58% in connecticut, 57% in pennsylvania and 54% in maryland. last night, trump basked in his victories in a press conference in trump tower. >> this is a far bigger win than we even expected. all five. that's something that's really -- that's really something. and not only is it all five, it's all

i'm alex witt.ith the severe weather that's showing no signs of letting up. 26 million people are at risk again today. tornadoes hit mississippi, alabama and louisiana yesterday after tearing through the plains a day earlier. this funnel cloud wastu

i'm alex witt.c presidential candidate is qualified to hold the oval office spanned hours yesterday and signal changed in tone and what had been a collegial campaign. hillary clinton called her opponent's remarks about her qualifications silly, and senator sanders pledged to keep fighting back when attacked. >> came right out and said, he doesn't think you're qualified to be

i'm alex witt. we begin with the severe weather that's showing no signs of letting up. 26 million people are at risk again today. tornadoes hit mississippi, alabama and louisiana yesterday after tearing through the plains a day earlier. this funnel cloud was captured on a cell phone camera in new hope, mississippi. significant damage also reported in alabama last night. there was damage to homes along with downed trees and power lines. and take a look at this video from central arkansas. the quarter sized hail was enough to send some high school students running for cover there. let's bring in msnbc meteorologist bill karins. that's huge. that's going to hurt. these storms on the move. what's happening? >> this will be day three. then we'll be done and then we'll talk more about winter weather. the one in new hope t one we showed you -- down the guy's street, that one right there. that got wide in a hurry too. that one right through the town, no injuries though, no fatalities with that. another one

i'm alex witt. chaos as donald trump kicked off his california campaign last night.nti-trump demonstrators in costa mesa grew from blocking traffic to protesters aggressively swarming cars. at one point, busting a police cruiser's windows. with one man stomping on it. protesters forcing police to close streets, others witnessed people jumping on street signs and throwing bricks. the smell of burnt rubber filled the air as a car was doing doughnuts. police say 20 people were arrested but reported no major injuries in what was the worst violence since the fights inside trump's cancelled chicago rally back in march. this time, fights broke out between opponents and supporters outside. local affiliate kabc has this footage of a trump supporter bandaged. but it was a different story inside trump's rally with 18,000 people at the orange county fairgrounds. largely unaware of the violence unfolding outside. at one point, donald trump called on to the stage the families of victims of violence committed by undocumented immigrants. during the -- turning the mike over to camill

i'm alex witt. bernie sanders' winning streak continued over the weekend with a victory in the wyoming caucuses on saturday. sanders beat hillary clinton by 12 points 56-44 notching his eighth win in the last nine nominating contests. but the victory didn't help the senator in the delegate race. when you include superdelegates, clinton actually netted four more delegates in wyoming than sanders. and as you can see here, secretary clinton still holds a commanding delegate lead overall, as the race moves on to next tuesday's pivotal primary in new york. clinton has to win about 33% of the remaining delegates to clinch the democratic nomination, while sanders would have to win about 67 >>> and we've got some new polling out of the next two delegate-rich states to vote on the democratic side. a new fox news poll out of new york has clinton up 16 points, 53% to 37%. pennsylvania is one of five states to vote one week after that. and clinton has a double digit lead there, as well. the fox news poll has he

i'm alex witt. the debate over which democratic presidential candidate is qualified to hold the oval office spanned hours yesterday and signal changed in tone and what had been a collegial campaign. hillary clinton called her opponent's remarks about her qualifications silly, and senator sanders pledged to keep fighting back when attacked. >> came right out and said, he doesn't think you're qualified to be president. >> well, that'll be up to the voters of new york and the other states that would be passing judgment in the weeks ahead. i think it's kind of a silly statement. but he's free to say whatever he chooses. >> is he qualified to be at the? >> here's what i believe. i believe that voters will be looking at both of us. but i will take bernie sanders over donald trump or ted cruz any time. >> you made a comment about hillary clinton being unqualified for the office of president. is that something you regret saying? >> well, it was said after she and her campaign said that i was unqualified. >>

i'm alex witt. this is the place for politics and here is what is happening.'s first of two rallies in the state is under way. he is not letting up his fight against the rnc over the delegate system. . in fact here is his warning to the party. >> the system is a bad, bad system. and they got to do something about it. the republican national

. >>> good morning, everyone, i'm alex witt here at msnbc headquarters in new york. a muddled picture for republicans. in colorado, we have a inwither, already, while it is not over yet, one candidate is walking away with a rocking out high. >>> also on the gop side, if it looks like a campaign ad and sounds like all the campaign ads and all the campaigns wonder was it a campaign ad? what is it really? >> democrats bat until wyoming today. it's all about the people buffalo and brooklyn. >> if we can win here in new york state and if we can win a

i'm alex witt here in new york at msnbc world headquarters.al super tuesday when voters for five states will head to the polls. there are fresh story lines in the fight for the white house today. ted cruz dominated donald trump in another delegate fight over the weekend. as cruz keeps busting out his new line of attack against the gop front runner. >> trump and hillary clinton both support letting grown adult men use bathrooms with little girls. >> i'll talk to a member from the cruz camp for reaction to that. toning it down, donald trump says he doesn't plan on doing that. but even if he did, would gop establishment types jump on board his campaign. and one of american's leading conservative donors in an exclusive interview. his surprising remarks right here on msnbc, the place for politics. ♪

i'm alex witt. at the top of this hour, here's what's happening. we begin with an explosive new interview with conservative billionaire charles koch who explained why he's not supporting ted cruz or donald trump at the moment. >> is it possible another clinton could be better than another republican? >> it's possible. it's possible. >> you couldn't see yourself supporting hillary clinton, could you? >> well, i -- the -- her -- we would have to believe her actions would be quite different than her rhetoric. let me put it that way. though on some of the republican candidates, before we could support them, we'd have to believe their actions could be quite different than the rhetoric we've heard so far. >> now, in that same interview, koch went a step further, saying he may not support any gop candidate. while ted cruz looks ahead to indiana, donald trump is campaigning in maryland today. it is one of five states holding a primary on tuesday. a brand new poll of pennsylvanians shows trump with an 18 point lead over cruz. 210 delegates are at stake for