let's send it over to alex witt. alex? >> can i say amen to what you just said? that was great. >> thank you. >> thank you. >> good to see you always. >> you, too, my friend. thank you so much. good to see all of you. good morning at that. i'm alex witt here at msnbc headquarters in new york. it's just about 9:00 a.m. in the east, 6:00 a.m. out west. here is what's happening. down to the wire, a new poll suggesting the alabama senate race say toss-up. whether one side might have an edge because of last-minute moves. >> that's big stuff. very big phrases, very big words. >> museum fallout, how the president's remarks at the civil rights museum are playing and whether there are any important takeaways. >>> a day in the life. new report on president trump's oval office routine. insider's spill what the president's day is like and apparent addiction to a diet soda. republicans insist tax plan say break from the past and others suggest otherwise. where is the truth? >>> last-ditch efforts ahead of alabama's special election tuesday, including president trump's most di

alex witt is next. we should be out there skating. >> i know, my festive friend. >> and we're matchy matchy with our colors again. >> if you heard me laughing way too audibly with tony schwartz, sorry about that. >> we laugh about the apocalypse. >> thank you so much. >>> good day to all of you. i'm alex witt here at msnbc world headquarters. it is high noon in the east, 9:00 a.m. out west and here's what's happening right now. the massive tax plan comes one step closer to reality. republicans say they have the votes, but what does it all mean for you? >> i think it's going to do very, very well. >> where are all the benefits going? the vast majority are going to the wealthy. >> also, the president trashing the fbi and the russia investigation and he's not ruling out a pardon for former national security advisor michael flynn. >>> the seven words you can never say at the cdc. the new report about a list that includes the words diversity and entitlement. >>> and she's gone but not fading into the sunset.

i'm alex witt. thanks for watching. us now. >> get out and enjoy all of that. looks beautiful, alex. >> good morning everyone i'm richard

i'm alex witt. it is 9:00 right on the nose in the east, 6:00 a.m. out west and a new turn in the russia probe. the president's transition team firing off a complaint about tens of thousands of private e-mails in the investigation and among the many questions being raised, how did special counsel robert mueller obtain the messages? also being asked, what's behind this complaint and could it be to discredit muller's investigation? we'll have that but first, we have this breaking news to share, an nbc news wall street journal poll released moments ago shows a dangerous political environment for republicans heading into 2018. democrats have a double digit lead among voters, 50% rooting for democratic control of congre congress. 39% wanting congress to control. the first time they are seeing numbers since 2008. meanwhile, president trump's approval rating is 41% with 56% disapproval. let's go right now to my panel for some quick reaction right away to this. joining me, caitlyn hughie burns and katy bow williams, national security reporter for "the hill."

i'm alex witt. right now it's time for a.m.iend, joy reid. >> unless they figure out a way to increase the refundable part. unless they figure out a way to give corporations an extra year of cuts. the way they figured out a way to lower the top rate for families making $1 million. unless they can figure out a way to add to the 1100 figure, i won't support the bill. >> good morning. and welcome to "a.m. joy" to quote our very own chris hayes, if your life depends on marco rubio having a spine, you're already dead. rubio is now a yes. on the gop tax plan, surprise. but he did manage to wrangle a tiny bit more generous child tax

i'm alex witt. at 31 minutes past the hour, there's new reaction from senate intel vice chair taking sides in the latest attacks from president trump against james comey. tweeting, i never asked comey to stop investigating flynn. here is senator mark warner just moments ago. >> who do you believe? >> i believe fbi director comey. i think he was very credible in his testimony and private meetings with us. it's not just comey. we've had reports this week that he reached out -- >> your colleague. >> -- surprised by this, members of congress, back off. this president has been obsessed with this investigation, always saying there's nothing there, but each week another shoe drops where there's more evidence of continuing outreach from russians and some response from the trump campaign. >> meanwhile, at least one member of the white house this morning facing questions on what exactly mike flynn is prepared to tell special counsel robert mueller. >> do you know what general flynn may have to say about presi

i'm alex witt here in new york at msnbc headquarters. it's 1:00 in the east, 10:00 a.m. out west. here's what's happening right now. the alabama showdown countdown. two days to go amid a deep divide and revealing numbers on voter enthusiasm. >> and now support from president trump. he's about to unleash a last-minute robocall in the battle for bama. >> on the russia probe, the white house campaign to discredit robert mueller and the top democrat investigator in the house. >> we do know this. the russians offered help. the campaign accepted help. >> plus, trump, twitter, and tv. a riveting look inside the president's struggle for validation while watching up to eight hours of cable news a day. >>> but we begin with new details in the alabama senate race. with just two days before voters cast their ballots, the roy moore campaign shooting down efforts of a purported ethics investigation should he win the election on tuesday. >> mitch mcconnell and his crew have been threatening judge moore from the get-go. they spent $30 million trying to beat him in the primary, and then all this f

i'm alex witt here at msnbc world headquarters here in new york.t telling reporters at the white house this morning that he's not worried about the plea deal reached with michael flynn and then tweeting in just this last hour i had to fire general flynn because he lied to the vice president and the fbi. he has pled guilty to those lies. it is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. there was nothing to hide. well, joining me to talk about it, michael waldman, president of the brennan center of justice at nyu and president clinton's chief speak writer and danny cevalos. gentlemen, i want to get both your takes on this tweet. do you think the president just admitted knowing flynn was lying at the time of the firing or was there some wiggle room here knowing how the president can be loose with his wording when it comes to his tweets. but if it were true, would that qualify as obstruction? danny, i want to go to you first. >> it's interesting for exactly the reason that you pointed out, timing. section 1001 requires that the pers

>>> good morning everyone, i am alex witt. it is 9:00 a.m. in new york. here is what's happening. why some say president trump should not be at the museum at all. >> get out and vote for roy moore. do it. >> one more time. one more time president trump doubling down on the alabama senate accused of the conduct. . fbi warning of new details. one of the president's top aids rather. and the al franken fallout and new reaction. but, we begin with politics and the president's ramping up his support for roy moore on twitter this morning saying a big contingent of very enthusiastic roy moore fans at the rally last night. we cannot have a pelosi/schumer. here is what the president told in florida. >> it is time to get our priorities straight. this guy is screaming we want roy moore. he's right. >> just so i can satisfy this gentleman out there. how many people here are from the great state of alabama? >> whoa. >> the future of this country cannot afford to lose a seat in the very, very close united states. we cannot afford it folks. we need somebody in that senate seat who'll vote for our

let's send it over to alex witt. alex? >> can i say amen to what you just said?k you. >> thank you. >> good to see you always. >> you, too, my friend. thank you so much. good to see all of you. good morning at that. i'm alex witt here at msnbc headquarters in new york. it's just about 9:00 a.m. in the east, 6:00 a.m. out west. here is what's happening. down to the wire, a new poll suggesting the alabama senate race say toss-up. whether one side might have an edge because of last-minute moves. >> that's big stuff. very big phrases, very big words. >> museum fallout, how the president's remarks at the civil rights museum are playing and whether there are any important takeaways. >>> a day in the life. new report on president trump's oval office routine. insider's spill what the president's day is like and apparent addiction to a diet soda. republicans insist

and now tho my colleague alex witt. >> good morning to all of you.uarters. 9:00 a.m. on the nose in the east. 6:00 a.m. out west. here is what's happening. early morning tweet storm, the president with a relentless stream of attacks today against, among others, james comey, the media, hillary clinton. what does it all add up to? plus -- >> what has been shown is no collusion, no collusion. there's been absolutely no collusion. >> the president keeps saying it, no collusion. but could the robert mueller probe be shifting to a question that puts the president in even more peril? >> i was in washington, d.c. watching

. >>> good morning, i'm alex witt in new york. i want to take you to mar-a-lago and have you listen to the president. it is his christmas eve teleconference with members of the military. take a listen everyone. >> and tremendous. always underappreciated. the military families, the greatest people on earth. we have five deployed units joining us today, one from each branch of our armed forces. i want to welcome colonel chuck lombardo and all of the soldiers of iron brigade deployed in kuwait to support the operation spartan shield, the brigade is currently serving as an active partner in the kaw waitty, saudi, and jordanian armies doing an incredible job. you also provide force protection and security cooperation in syria and in iraq. it is a vital mission and we want to thank you very much. great job. colonel chris gideon and the special purpose marine air force and air, ground task force joins from us kuwait, as well about the fantastic force is central command's crisis response force and a powerful force it is. colonel, i unders

i'm alex witt. it is 9:00 right on the nose in the east, 6:00 a.m.on team firing off a complaint about tens of thousands of private e-mails in the investigation and among the many questions being raised, how did special counsel robert mueller obtain the messages? also being asked, what's behind this complaint and could it be to discredit muller's investigation? we'll have that but first, we have this breaking news to share, an nbc news wall street

. >>> good day, i'm sheinelle jones in for alex witt in new york at msnbc world headquarters. it's 1:00 in the east, 10:00 out west. here's what's happening. out of the loop. how white house aides got caught off guard by president trump's unscheduled interview with "the new york times" and why the winter white house is trouble for those trying to control him. >>> the russia probe, where is it now? where is it headed? and in what event would president trump fire robert mueller? >> there's new evidence coming in in the form of bank records, in the form of thousands of e-mails. >> when it's in his interests to fire mueller, he will figure out a way to do it, unless congress stands up to him. >> also the flynn factor, how trump's lawyers strategize with how to deal with the ex-national security advisor. >>> race in america. why the nation's minorities feel so alienated by president trump and how that could change in the future. >>> and the cold countdown to the new year, how frigid temperatures are setting records across the country. >>> we begin with the fallout over president tr

i'm alex witt at msnbc world headquarters in new york.approach the half hour, here's what we're monitoring. new reaction to the latest developments in the russia investigation. the president unleashing on twitter against fired fbi director james comey as well as hillary clinton. also providing new reaction to former national security adviser michael flynn's plea deal. in fact, in one tweet, he said i never asked comey to stop investigating flynn. just more fake news covering another comey lie. >> well, this tweet storm led republican senator lindsey graham to give this warning to president trump. >> there's an ongoing criminal investigation. comey may be part of it. you tweeting comment regarding ongoing criminal investigations at your own peril, i would be careful if i were you, mr. president. i would watch this. >> let's bring in michael steel and bill press, who hosts the bill press show on free speech tv, also an opinion contributor for the hill. gentlemen, michael, when it comes to taking james comey or the president at their word, w

i'll alex witt. here is what we're monitoring for you.appening right now, major evacuations overnight in southern california after a new wildfire broke out in monday ro monrovia after six wildfires destroyed over 800 structures. 90,000 have been evacuated, some returning to see what is left of them. governor brown says climate change has made wildfires the new normal. >>> adam schiff says he feels there is a relatively straightforward case for conspiracy. here he is earlier today. >> we do know this, the rush slans off russianed offered help. the campaign helped help. the russians gave the help and the president made full use of that help. and that is pretty damning. >> katie, you heard representative schiff there. how do you interpret what you just heard? >> it sounds like representative adam schiff has built a case, but you note what he said at the end, which is it beyond and to the exclusion which is the legal standard of every reasonable doubt. because that is exactly what someone in the federal government would have to prove if they

i'm alex witt here at msnbc world headquarters in new york. as we approach the half hour, here's what we're monitoring for you. just a short time ago the president left the white house to spend the overnight in camp david. he spoke to reporters about the republican tax bill and addressed another point of contention, that being the temporary tax cuts for the working class. so here's what he said. >> what will happen is at the end, whichever the administration is in years from now, they'll make it and maybe can even make it more generous if we can get the economy like it should be. the economy now has hit 3%. nobody thought it would be anywhere close. i think we can go to 4, 5 and maybe even 6% ultimately. >> joining me now, john harwood, cnbc's editor at large and josh dawsey. john, i want to get your reaction to what you heard there from the president and why not give the middle class permanent tax cuts like the big corporations? >> because that's not the goal of this legislation. the core belief of republicans in passing this bill is that low

>>> hey there, i'm alex witt in new york. it is 2:00 p.m. in the east and 11:00 a.m. in the west. we have breaking news, russian president, vladimir putin calling president trump a short time ago. new details coming in about what they talked about. >>> bach shell accusation, president trump's transition team claiming the special counsel unlawfully obtained thousands of private e-mails in the russian investigation. robert mueller's team is firing back. >>> early christmas president? president trump staunching the gop tax bill. >> this is going to be a great gift for the middle income people that they have ever gotten for christmas. >> critics agree, it is a gift, for the rich. it's like a lump of coal for working class americans. let's go to jeff bennet standing by at the white house. good sunday to you, jeff. this is the second time that these two men, as we talk about our president's trump and putin, speaking in four days. what do we know about this call? >> reporter: that's right, alex, good afternoon. it was their second conversation since thursday. during that call, russian pr

i'm alex witt here at msnbc headquarters in new york.t the hour, here's what we're monitoring for you. the gop tax bill is just days way from final votes in the house and senate. so far, republican support seems to be falling in line, but the bill's opponents are making last-ditch efforts to sound the alarm. senator bernie sanders lagging out this morning against what he's calling an attack on the middle class. >> is there anything more than opponents like you could have done to stop this? >> well, i think we did everything that we could. but at the end of the day, what you had is people like mr. mnuchin, who himself is worth $300 million or $400 million. the president of the united states, who is worth several billion dollars, as you mentioned, some 4,000 or 5,0 t, lobbyists doing everything they could to write a bill that significantly benefits the weltiest people in the country and the largest corporations. >> let's bring in carrie sheffield, and michael, also former senior aide to hillary clinton in her first campaign for senate and

i'm gigi stone woods in for alex witt at msnbc world headquarters in new york. we are watching a california man facing terror charges for allegedly planning a christmas day attack on san francisco's pier 39. authorities say he is a former marine inspired by isis who complained about the president's decision to recognize jerusalem as the capital of israel. the fbi found a marterdom letter and three firearms in his home. >>> also in california, officials say the wildfire has consumed 427 square

i'm alex witt at msnbc world headquarters in new york. the first big storm of the season has dumped record-setting snow in the deep south. it has caused driving nightmares in many cities unaccustomed on the wintry weather. >>> and icy pavement led to this 15-car pileup. the storm has already knocked out power to a quarter million customers. we are keeping watch on six wildfires in southern california. authorities confirming the first fatality, a woman who crashed her car while trying to evacuate earlier this week. >> and the loss of 30 to 40 horses at a training center near san diego. hundreds set loose survived. >>> a stormy reaction in the middle east. reuters says israel launched air strikes in retaliation of rocket fire killing two palestinian gunmen. >>> in bethlehem, protesters battled on this third day of rage. >>> also new this morning, the president is scheduled to depart his mar-a-lago state in a few minutes headed to jackson, mississip mississippi. he spoke last night in pensacola. the president throwing his full support behind

i'm gigi stone woods in for alex witt at msnbc world headquarters in new york. we are watching a california man facing terror charges for allegedly planning a christmas day attack on san francisco's pier 39. authorities say he is a former marine inspired by isis who complained about the president's decision to recognize jerusalem as the capital of israel. the fbi found a marterdom letter and three firearms in his home. >>> also in california, officials say the wildfire has consumed 427 square miles, destroyed hundreds of home. it is now the largest in state history. it broke out three weeks ago and is 65% contained. >>> spacex rocket launch created a stir after it blasted off last night. many people thought it was a ufo. of course they took video and pictures and flooded tv station phone lines. there was so much fuss the l.a. fire department had to issue an advisory to tell people this light in the sky was a rocket launch. now to politics. president trump fresh off his legislative victory. before leaving the white house for mar-a-lago, he told reporters the tax

. >>> good day, i'm sheinelle jones in for alex witt in new york at msnbc world headquarters.1:00 in the east, 10:00 out west. here's what's happening. out of the loop. how white house aides got caught off guard by president trump's unscheduled interview with "the new york times" and why the winter white house is trouble for those trying to control him. >>> the russia probe, where is it now? where is it headed? and in what event would president trump fire robert mueller? >> there's new evidence coming in in the form of bank records, in the form of thousands of e-mails. >> when it's in his interests to fire mueller, he will figure out a way to do it, unless congres

i'm alex witt here at msnbc world headquarters at the half hour. here's what's happening.news overnight. it took until nearly 2:00 a.m. eastern today before the senate passed that $1.5 trillion tax bill. the vote 51-49. tennessee senator bob corker was the only republican to vote against it, as did all the democrats. and moments ago the president tweeted his appreciation thanking house and senate republicans for what he calls the biggest tax bill and tax cuts in history. as for the president, he is preparing

. >> and julia, i want to play for you what several told alex witt yesterday. take a listen. >> he should have addressed the issues of today as sitting president 37 i thi president. i think he missed the opportunity to deal with public policy. i think those that consider present missed the opportunity to confront him on very basic policies. >> the president is not there to be moved by remarks. this president seems to be totally deaf when it comes to issues of concern to african-americans. >> he has questioned the authenticity of the birth certificate of our nation's first african-american president. why would i get excited about with the president going to the civil rights museum? now -- in mississippi of all places. >> strong words there. what does this mean for president trump and the relationship with black lawmakers? is there any hope for common ground here? >> i think it is safe to say that the relation shship right is very fraught. it was interesting listening to president trump's speech. he talked about martin lighter king jr. and medgar evers. obviously

i'm alex witt at msnbc world headquarters in new york. scheduled for vote on tuesday. it appears republicans do have the support to get it passed. in just a few minutes i will speak with congressman charlie dent of pennsylvania about the tax bill. >>> a defiant roy moore is telling support issers the battle is not over. he's asking for contributions to a fund to help him possible contest his loss in tuesday's election. >>> hollywood responding to a series of hig

up next, my good friend alex witt.ur birthday? >> i went out to dinner with friends and my husband for my birthday and they sent cake other. they were so nice. because my best friend is a member of a sorority, aka, and so they stopped to talk and all of a sudden next thing i knew, i was getting a song and free cake. >> keep it going for as long as you can. happy birthday. >> thank you so much. >>> good day to all of you. i'm alex witt. it goes just about high noon in the east, 9:00 a.m. out west. on the ground in alabama, new information this hour on absentee ballots and how that might affect the outcome in the senate race tuesday. >> we do know the russians offered help and campaign accepted help. >> a new twist on russia, some of the strongest comments yet from the ranking member of the intelligence committee on the link between russia and the trump campaign. >>> harder line, a new report today suggests president trump's supporters are ratcheting up complaints about robert mueller as he getting closer to the oval off

alex witt is next.d. >> and we're matchy matchy with our colors again. >> if you heard me laughing way too audibly with tony schwartz, sorry about that. >> we laugh about the apocalypse. >> thank you so much. >>> good day to all of you. i'm alex witt here at msnbc world headquarters. it is high noon in the east, 9:00 a.m. out west and here's what's happening right now. the massive tax plan comes one step closer to reality. republicans say they have the votes, but what does it all mean for you? >> i think it's going to do very, very well. >> where are all the benefits going? the vast majority are going to the wealthy. >> also, the president trashing the fbi and the russia investigation and he's not ruling out a pardon for former national security advisor michael flynn. >>> the seven words you can never say at the

. >>> good day, everyone, i'm alex witt here in new york at msnbc world headquarters where it's 1:00 in the east, 10:00 a.m. out west and here's what's happening right now. calculating the tax cuts. if the final republican bill is such a big win for average taxpayers, why do the majority of americans oppose it? >>> president trump speaking just moments ago about the cuts. we'll bring you his remarks. >>> forbidden words. a new cdc ban on the use of seven words and phrases in documents. why planned parenthood calls the word play reckless and unimaginably dangerous. >> there is absolutely no collusion. i didn't make a phone call to russia. i have nothing to do with

alex witt is off today. here's what's happening for you. facing questions. the president's long-time gate keeper now entangled in the russian investigation, but who is she and why did congressional investigators talk to her? >> why are the republicans rushing this through? why are they trying to discredit mr. mueller? >> a house intel committee member with some pointed questions for his gop colleagues, including why some democrats could not attend interviews with key witnesses in the russia probe. >>> nikki haley is going to throw a party, but a lot of america's closest allies are not going to be there, not going to be invited. the latest on whether this latest diplomatic maneuver could ba backfire. that's here on "msnbc live." >>> we start with politics and the congressional investigations of russia. here's what democratic congressman mike quigley said earlier on msnbc. >> i feel on a continuing basis that there is increased evidence of obstruction taking place. why are the republicans rushing this through? why are they trying to discredit there mueller? wh

i'm alex witt here at msnbc world headquarters at the half hour. here's what's happening. breaking news overnight. it took until nearly 2:00 a.m. eastern today before the senate passed that $1.5 trillion tax bill. the vote 51-49. tennessee senator bob corker was the only republican to vote against it, as did all the democrats. and moments ago the president tweeted his appreciation thanking house and senate republicans for what he calls the biggest tax bill and tax cuts in history. as for the president, he is preparing to leave the white house for several fund-raisers here in new york city. while he has reacted to the tax bill, we have heard nothing directly about michael flynn's guilty plea for lying to the fbi. we have a legal look from the fallout coming up. the president is still standing bisect of state rex tillerson, rejecting reports that he was about to replace him with cia chief mike pompeo. he said they work well together. we begin with the white house in damage control mode. this nearly 24 hours since mike flynn pled guilty to lying to the fbi. this is a key deve

i'm alex witt at msnbc world headquarters in new york. the first big storm of the season has dumped record-setting snow in the deep south. it has caused driving nightmares in many cities unaccustomed on the wintry weather. >>> and icy pavement led to this 15-car pileup. the storm has already

alex witt is off today. it's high noon in the east, 9:00 a.m. out west. here's what's happening overseas, north korea and iran sending messages to president trump. one on nuclear weapons, the other on so-called u.s. meddling. >>> fact check. president trump's interview with "the new york times" under fresh scrutiny. separating fact from fiction in the 30 minutes they spoke. >> when the president walked in still in his golf clothes, he introduced "the new york times" reporter to the president andy abled this 30-minute sitdown with no aides that happened. >>> plus the scramble and shock when aides learned the president was in the midst of an unscheduled chat with "the times." >>> later, big chill. historic and bitter cold sweeps across the country. a look at what could be a record-setting new year. >>> but we begin overseas. new this hour two world hot spots sending a message to the u.s. and president donald trump. first, a short time ago iran slamming america and the president for weighing in on street protests in that country. those rare anti-government p

i'm alex witt here in new york at msnbc world headquarters. it is 1:00 in the east, 10:00 a.m.t and here's what's happening. the flynn plea deal. the white house reportedly freaking out. but would you sense that today from the president's first public comments on flynn? >> what has been shown is no collusion, no collusion. there's been absolutely -- there's been absolutely no collusion. >> the president now here in the big apple for a flurry of fund-raisers fresh off a trillion and a half dollar victory in the senate. >> it's the largest tax decrease in the history of our country by

i'm alex witt at msnbc world headquarters in new york. the tax bill is scheduled for vote on tuesday. it appears republicans do have the support to get it passed. in just a few minutes i will speak with congressman charlie dent of pennsylvania about the tax bill. >>> a defiant roy moore is telling support issers the battle is not over. he's asking for contributions to a fund to help him possible contest his loss in tuesday's election. >>> hollywood responding to a series of high profile cases of sexual misconduct. executives and major entertainment figures have establish aid commission on workplace equality. that group will be led by anita hill. >>> new attacks from the president against the fbi. this just moments before speaking at the agency's national academy graduation ceremony. >> it's a shame what's happened with the fbi. but we're going to rebuild the fbi. everybody. not me, everybody. the level of anger of what they have been witnessing is certainly very sad. >> let's bring in zelena maxwell for the clinton campaign now progressiv

time now for the latest news with alex witt. alex. >> so soon? i was just getting ready.'d be talking a little longer because you always have great stuff to say. >> all i have to say is i love you, love your outfit. we both have on cool boots. >>> a good day to all of you. i'm alex witt here at msnbc world headquarters in new york. it is high noon in the east, 9:00 a.m. out west and here's what's happening. 24 hours of drama for the president. two big moments for the president, good and bad. >> what has been shown is no collusion, no collusion. there's been absolutely -- there's been absolutely no collusion. >> all right. first, former national security advisor michael flynn cuts a plea deal with the special prosecutor on russia. we'll have reaction to president trump's remarks on collusion ahead. >>> then hours later, the senate passes the sweeping gop tax plan. it is a triumph for the white house, but there's still a fight ahead. >> we've been given this 20 minutes ago, 25 minutes ago. we're supposed to vote on it in a couple hours. >> democrats asking what's behind the

alex witt is off today. it is high noon in the east. 9:00 a.m. out west. here's what's happening. reports of protesters killed after days of anti-government rallies in iran. new reaction from the white house coming up. >>> tipping point -- fresh intrigue on what might have prompted the meddling investigation and a key trump adviser's role. did it begin in a london bar? >> russians clearly saw him as a way into the trump campaign. some of the e-mails we've been able to see are remackable. >> ticket prices on the rise for president trump's new year's eve bash. reaction to a report on how partygoers get close access to the president. >>> it is 2018 somewhere. out with the old and in with the new. happening in spectacular fashion around the globe. the clock ticks down to new york city, a look at times square where the ball will drop on what could be the coldest new year's eve on record. we'll have a live report ahead. >>> now to breaking news at this hour. a deadly police shooting outside denver. the douglas county sheriff's office says one deputy was killed and four others shot in a

i'm alex witt. my colleague david gurr is going to pick it up from here. >> good morning. david gura coming to you live. the white house is pushing back against a bombshell report in "the new york times" that says president trump made racist remarks about immigrants in an oval office meeting last june. according to officials who attended or were briefed on that meeting, trump while venting about the slow pace of implementing his immigration agenda told members that, quote, haitian immigrants all have aids and nigerian immigrants would never

alex witt is off. it's 6:00 a.m. in the east 9:00 a.m. in the west. >> i want you folks to not think i am keeping my promise. i am keeping my opinion promise, signing it before christmas. >> president trump crowing about the tax bill. wing will at whether some claims about it are true or false. plus the missed opportunities in the tax deal, one expert's take on where it can go wrong, how it can do damage in the long run facing questions, the question's long-time gate keeper entangled in the russia investigation. but who is she? and why do congressional investigators want to talk to her? >>> robert mueller on the firing line, new gop efforts to discred at this time special counsel and whether they're orchestrated. details next on nsnbc live next, president trump and the first family getting a start on their ten-day vacation at the mar-a-lago estate in florida. before leaving, the president uses the signing ceremony to attack democrats for opposing the gop's landmark tax bill. let's listen. >> democrats don't like tax cuts. they want to rai

i'm alex witt. thanks for watching. richard lui is going to join us now. >> get out and enjoy all of that. looks beautiful, alex. >> good morning everyone i'm richard lui. thanks for joining us. >>> civil rights and congressman refusing to share the stage with the president. showing it an insult for those being honored. we'll show you protests. >> this is incredible tribute, not only to the state of mississippi, a state that i love, a state where i've had great success. this is attribute to our nation at the highest level. >> plus all eyes on alabama where the special senate race remains too close to call which just days to go. president trump makes another public endorsement of the em battled candidate roy moore. question here will the presidential push be enough to put enough ahead doug jones. >>> and allegations of sexual misconduct. latest law make tours resign and national reckoning happening there. >>> but we'll start this hour with the president's remarks at the opening of the mississippi civil rights museum which

i'm frances rivera in for alex witt. at the half-hour, here's what we're monitoring. new information following the bombshell report upon what sparked the fbi's investigation into russia and trump's campaign team. "the new york times" reporting it all started with a revelation made by the man that trump associates have cast as the campaign's coffee boy during a night of heavy drinkings in may of '16. joining me now, katie fang, former prosecutor. thank you for being with me as we jump into this and focus on papadopoulos has he revaled er this australian diplomat that the russians had dirt on hillary clinton. two months later, the australian officials alerted the u.s. government to that conversation. so when you look at george papadopoulos, does this now make, you know, trump's associates statement to downplay his role as the coffee boy, volunteer, all of that, now more relevant? >> oh, yeah. listen, maybe he's the covfefe boy. if you're mueller, keep on keeping on, or if you're trump, loose lips sink ships or maybe loose fingertips on twitter sink ships. when you're a

i'm richard lui in for alex witt on this saturday at msnbc world headquarters in new york city. here we are at the half hour. this is what we're watching. new reaction after president trump signs his first major piece of legislation into law. that sweeping tax cut plan that also included a repeal of obamacare's individual mandate. now, the president predicted that without the mandate, obamacare will be, quote, over. joining us now, max baccus, former senator from montana. he also shepherded obamacare through the senate in 2009. senator, as a former democratic senator from the great state of montana shall montana, as you look at obamacare and now see the individual mandate gone, what's your reaction? >> i'm very concerned because this is going to cause even more uncertainty in insurance markets. premiums will go up, there's no question. it's difficult for companies to plan, it's difficult for people to plan. much more uncertainty. it really comes down to when the united states figures out what kind of a health care policy, what kind of plan are we going to have and get on with ot

[heartbeat] i'm frances rivera in for alex witt here at msnbc headquarters in new york.hing the half hour. here's what we're monitoring. taiwan rang in 2018 with this dazzling light display and all the changing colors in taipei. the amazing pyrotechnics show was held at a landmark building in the capitol, and dubai is one of the next major cities to ring in the new year. here in new york city, crowds are already lining up to watch the ball drop in times square. police are working to keep millions safe and will have a big presence there tonight. let's check in with anne thompson who is in times square and she's joined by the president of the times square alliance. hi, anne. >> hi, frances. they have 11 hours to go and they're already here waiting. they're bundled up. tim thompsons is the president of times square alliance. you're expecting 2 million people. do you think that's going to affect people. >> i think most people will arrive later so they don't have to be out for quite as long. i think we'll end up with a full house. people plan this trip for a long time. >> tha

i'm alex witt that's it for me. but right now david is here with the top stories. i have to go i've been on way too long. >> thank you very much. i'm david in msnbc in new york. one day after robert mueller investigation cracks president trump inner circle did the president just admit he knew michael flynn lied to the fbi. we'll read between the lines. >> and sweeping tax overhaul that could become this administration first legislative win. democrats cry foul last minute. we'll tell you what's next for the bill and what it could mean for your bottom line if it became the law of the land. >> but begin this afternoon with flynn fallout. premt tweeting this, quote, i have to fire general flynn because he lied to the vice president and the fbi. he has pled guilt to those lies. it's a shame because it was lawful and nothing to hide. twitter response comes after the president fielded questions about michael flynn guilty plea and plans to cooperate with robert mueller investigation. >> [ inaudible question ] >> no, i'm not. and what has been shown is no collusion. >> well

. >>> good morning, everyone, i'm alex witt here at msnbc headquarters in new york. here's what's happening right now. party line the sweeping gop tax bill takes one more step forward after passing through the senate with no democratic support w. le tell you why the fight is not over yet. >>> who's next? nike i michael flynn cuts a deal. the question is the special prosecutor targeting others inside the white house. >>> in peril, putting into perspective all the latest news, reaction and analysis coming up next. we look at air force one, the president getting ready to board there for fundraisers. >>> also, new denial, the president says rex tillerson has never been on the firing line. he says reports are false, the latest on that and the job the secretary of state is doing so far. that's next. >>> but we begin with the breaking news, republicans rejoicing this morning after overcoming a heed in the race to get a tax bill before the year is out. the president taking to twitter to congratulate leaders, as the ledge lative win for the president as the special counsel ru

. >>> good morning, i'm alex witt in new york.t to take you to mar-a-lago and have you listen to the president. it is his christmas eve teleconference with members of the military. take a listen everyone. >> and tremendous. always underappreciated. the military families, the greatest people on earth. we have five deployed units joining us today, one from each branch of our armed forces. i want to welcome colonel chuck lombardo and all of the soldiers of iron brigade deployed i

i'm alex witt. my colleague david gurr is going to pick it up from here. >> good morning. i'm david gura coming to you live. the white house is pushing back against a bombshell report in "the new york times" that says president trump made racist remarks about immigrants in an oval office meeting last june. according to officials who attended or were briefed on that meeting, trump while venting about the slow pace of implementing his immigration agenda told members that, quote, haitian immigrants all have aids and nigerian immigrants would never go back to their huts. mark short this morning denied the president made those comments but pushed for congress to take a more restrictive stance on immigration policy. >> i was not in that meeting but the people in the meeting say that those comments never happened and so i have no belief that that actually transpired but let's talk about the temporary protective status for a second because it's an important case. the people here from haiti are here from an earthquake that happened roughly ten years ago under temporary protective s

i'm alex witt. thank you for watching. i'll see you next saturday morning. now over to richard lui. that's all i have to do, send it across the desk. >> and two days in front of us before the big vote in alabama. thank you so much. i'm richard lui. thank you for joining us this hour. the battle for alabama is heating up with two days to go in the hotly contested race between roy moore and doug jones. moore speaking out repeating his denial of multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. >> i did not know them. i had no encounter with them. i never molested anyone. and for them to say that, i don't know why they're saying it, but it's not true. >>> when you look at the ground, what's happening there, getting a big assist in the final stretch. on one side, president trump just recording a robocall for the embattled judge while cory booker is hoping to bring voters to the polls on tuesday. >>> then the republicans trying to undermine the russia investigation by discrediting the team who would take the president to task. one top detective in congress says yes. we'll dive into that later.

i'm alex witt. the news continues right now about yasmin vossoughian. i think i've had enough. i think they've had enough of me too, right. >> 20 hours later, you've had enough? always a pleasure to get a handoff from you, alex. so good to see you. we have a lot happening, everybody. let's get started. >>> russia calling. vladimir putin thanking president trump during a phone call today. we'll take you inside their conversation. >>> also, bold accusation. president trump's lawyer now claiming special counsel bob mueller unlawfully obtained thousands of e-mails in the russia investigation. >>> and hitting the campaign trail. the president plans to aggressively campaign in next year's midterms, but do all republicans really want him by their side? those are the big questions. >>> we begin with vladimir putin's phone call to president trump, the second call in just four days. there are reports that putin called president trump to thank him for a cia tip that helped thwart a terror attack in st. petersburg. we have an incredible team of reporters for us to break all of this down wi

alex witt is off today. it is high noon in the east. 9:00 a.m. out west. here's what's happening.led after days of anti-government rallies in iran. new reaction from the white house coming up. >>> tipping point -- fresh intrigue on what might have prompted the meddling investigation and a key trump adviser's role. did it begin in a london bar? >> russians clearly saw him as a way into the trump campaign. some of the