ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - May 21, 2025

>> Tonight breaking news, the Trump administration. making it official. The $400 million 747 from Qatar has now been accepted. The president plans to use it as Air Force One. Also breaking at this hour, the storms and now this. no-reaster set to hit. Washington, D.C., New York City, right up to Boston. First tonight, the Pentagon accepting Qatar's. controversial gift. that $400 million luxury jet the president plans to use. as Air Force One. American taxpayers will pay for the makeover.

to secure the jet. President Trump rejecting criticism tonight. from both parties and the Democratic leader late today. who said this gift screams national security risk. It is a bribe and broad daylight. Also tonight the confrontation in the Oval Office. President Trump, ambushing the president of South Africa. who denied the unsubstantiated claims of a white genocide. The president of South Africa saying, "I'm sorry, I don't have a plane to give you.". Tonight, the storm's hitting the Northeast, gusting winds heavy rain and then this door.

Easter building right behind it. DC up to New York City to Boston, racing for these storms, just as millions. traveled for the holiday. Lee Goldberg has the forecast. Tonight, two women now under arrest, accused of helping those fugitives. who escaped at that massive jailbreak. what police say the women did to help them avoid capture. Tonight, President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson. mounting a pressure campaign to try to get the president's. massive tax cut and spending bill passed. Some Republican holdouts are concerned over projections.

that President Trump's bill could add. trillions to the deficit over the next decade. The disturbing images here tonight, authorities. seizing more than 300 animals from a safari park right here. in the US. the truck smashing into a home in the northeast, the driver, apparently suffering a medical emergency. The measles scare following a major sold out concert outside. New York City with authorities are now saying tonight. The real estate battle over Pope Leo's childhood home outside. Chicago tonight will it be safe for people to visit or will.

it go to the highest bidder? tonight the decision is in on the future of the Tush push. and Deborah Roberts is here with the school children. getting the chance to start at Disney musical. >> From ABC news world headquarters in New York this is. world news tonight with David New York. >> Good evening and it's great to have you with us here to. very busy Wednesday night we begin tonight with the Pentagon. officially accepting that controversial. gift the 400 million dollar jet from Qatar that.

President Trump plans to use as Air Force One. The President's tonight rejecting criticism from. both Democrats and Republicans. The luxury jet called the Flying Palace, the White House. says it will serve as Air Force One carrying the president. But first, American taxpayers will pay for the major. security overhaul of that jet. And late today, amid the news that this $400. million jet has now been accepted, the Democratic. a private leader who called this a bribe and broad daylight. that screams national security risk. And many asking why does the United States need to turn to.

a foreign country for Air Force One? Jonathan Carl leading us off tonight. Tonight the Trump administration is making. it official announcing they will accept that lavish. gift from the government of Qatar, a $400 million luxury. jet that's been called a flying palace. They're giving the United States Air Force a jet, okay? And it's a great thing. Pentagon saying the gift is, quote, "in accordance with all. federal rules and regulations.". And that the plane will eventually serve as. Trump's Air Force One. Before that happens, American taxpayers will have to pay for.

a costly makeover to ensure the jet poses no security risks. and will be able to function as the president's plane. The Pentagon says it will, quote, "work to ensure proper. security measures and functional mission requirements are. considered. The Secretary of the Air Force telling Congress. the process is already underway. "The Secretary of Defense is directed the Air. Force to basically start planning to modify. the aircraft.". That process could take months or even years. As ABC News first reported, Attorney General Pam.

Bondi signed off on a plan for the Air Force to. accept the plane as a gift and then transfer ownership. to Trump's presidential library foundation. shortly before he leaves office. It's unclear if that's part of the final agreement. The Pentagon referred questions to the Air Force, the Air Force saying, quote, "details related to the. contract are classified.". The President was in Qatar just last week, where he heaped praise on its leader. "This is an outstanding man. He's a great man, and we're going to help each other.".

He has rejected questions about whether this is. legal and ethical and why the United States. needs to accept this new Air Force One as a gift. from another country. I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer. I mean, I could be a stupid person and say, "No, we don't. want a free, very expensive airplane.". Late today, outrage from the Senate Democratic. leader, Chuck Schumer. This gift screams national security risk. It is bribery in broad daylight.

Donald Trump is thumping his nose at Republicans. and practically daring them to stop him. - Some of the President's Republican allies. have also raised concerns that made it clear. they don't like accepting this gift either. As for that question about the President's library, I just spoke to White House Press Secretary Caroline Levit, who told me the plane is still intended to go to the library, but the details about how it will be transferred. and when have not yet been ironed out.

And David, we believe this plane is already here. in the United States. - The gift is already here. John Carl leading us off here tonight in New York. John, thank you. In the meantime, we turn to the dramatic scene. in the Oval Office today, the tense confrontation, President Trump, ambushing the president of South Africa. The president of South Africa, there to talk trade. and to try to reset relations between the U.S. and South Africa. President Trump at one point, calling for the lights to be. dimmed and playing a video, and then showing a. stack of papers that he said were articles. proving a white genocide.

The president of South Africa denying the unsubstantiated. claims at one point saying to President Trump, "I'm sorry, I don't have a plane to give. you." Here's Mary Bruce. Tonight an extraordinary scene in the Oval Office, President. Trump ambushing the president of South Africa with false claims. the nation is engaged in genocide against white farmers. President Cyril Ramaposa said he came to the White. House to discuss trade. "We essentially here to reset the relationship between the. United States and South Africa.".

But Trump had other ideas. "A lot of people are very concerned with regard to South. Africa and that's really the purpose of the meeting.". The president insists white South African farmers. are being persecuted and murdered on a mass scale. Unproven claims that have been amplified by Elon Musk, a native of South Africa. Though Trump's administration has banned all refugees, they are now making an exception for one group, white South Africans, a plane load arriving in. the U.S. just last week. We have had a tremendous number of people, especially since.

they've seen this, generally their white farmers and. their fleeing South Africa. Reporters asking Trump what it will take to convince. him there is no genocide. The South African president jumping in. "What will you take for you to be convinced that there's no. white genocide in South Africa?". Well, I can answer that for the president. It will take President Trump listening to the voices of. South African, some of whom are his good friends.

But Trump, with the cameras rolling, "Dimming the. lights to present what he claims is evidence.". Showing clips of extremists calling for violence, then leafing through articles he says prove. it's happening. Death, death, death, horrible death, death, I don't know. To pick anyone whites out Africans are. fleeing because of the violence and racist laws.

There is a crime problem in South Africa, but. there is no evidence it is racially motivated. or amounts to genocide. White people make up only 7% of the country, but own the vast majority of its farmland. Ramaphosa adamant that the video does. not represent his government. "There is criminality in our country. People who do get killed, unfortunately. through criminal activity are not only. white people. Majority of them are black people.".

South Africa's president then joking that he wishes. he could be like cutter and gift Trump a luxury jet. "I'm sorry I don't have a plane to give you. I wish you did.". "I wish you did.". And tonight the spokesman for the South African. president telling us of the confrontation quote, "it was expected. We knew that whenever heads of state. come to the White House, You get a bit of a show and. again David he insisted there is no genocide in South Africa. David. Mary Bruce at the White House.

Mary, thanks again. Now to the storm set to hit the northeast then the Norrester. building right behind it. Washington DC right up through New York City to Boston. Bracing for these storms just as millions of course travel. for the Memorial Day holiday. So let's get right to Chief Meteorologist Lee Goldberg. of our New York station, WAVC here in New York tracking. it all for us tonight. Hi Lee. a little bit of rain. The rain is going to be a little bit more than. a little bit more than The rain is going to be.

a little bit more than the rain. The rain is going to be. a little bit more than The rain is going to be. a little bit more than the rain. The rain is going to be a little bit more than. the rain. The rain is going to be a little bit more than. the rain. The rain is going to be a little bit more than. the rain. The rain is going to be a little bit more than. the rain. the storm is very slow to the Friday, even some mountains. in northern wangland and lingering showers right back. down to Boston, even New York. It's going to keep the cool temperatures right in. through the holiday weekend. David. All right, Lee Gilbert with us tonight. Lee, thanks as always. We turn out of that massive jail.

break in Louisiana tonight. Two women are under arrest now accused of helping the. fugitives who escaped. Well, police say the women did to help them avoid. capture. Faith the booby from New Orleans. Tonight, two women arrested and charged for allegedly. helping multiple fugitive inmates. evade capture after that stunning. jailbreak in New Orleans. We have said this from Friday and will continue to say it over. and over again. If you help them, you will be prosecuted. Police say Courtney Harris was in contact with.

one inmate before that escape early. Friday morning. Harris accused of transporting two. escapees to multiple locations and. Corvante Baptiste accused of getting 19 year old Cory Boyd. food while he was hiding. Overnight authorities arresting Boyd at his grandmother's house. So far, only five of the 10 fugitives have been recaptured. And tonight, an alleged victim opening up about the moment. he learned the suspect in this case had escaped, asking. ABC to only use his voice for safety reasons.

I was thinking about getting out of town because this guy. could come back and look for my address and come in and. shoot me, you know, on a couch. Four jail workers have been suspended and a jail plumber, Sterling Williams is now behind bars accused of helping the. inmates carry out the largest jailbreak in Louisiana history. And David just moments ago, Sterling's attorney denied that. his client helped those inmates, telling us that the deputy.

in the cell asked him to shut off the water. to that cell, eventually used as the escape route. and he was just doing his job. David. - Faith the booby on. this story again tonight. Faith, thank you. Tonight, President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson. mounting a pressure campaign to try to get. the president's tax cut and spending bill passed. Some Republican holdouts remain concerned over projections. that President Trump's bill could add trillions to the. deficit over the next decade. ABC's Jail Bryan, on the Hill again tonight. Tonight, a last-ditch effort from President Trump.

and Speaker Mike Johnson turning up the heat on. more than a dozen House Republican holdouts. to pass the mega-bill full of the president's. campaign promises from tax cuts to. border security. "I'm very sorry, and well, it's very close.". The White House warning tonight failure to pass the. bill would be a betrayal. "Why are the holdouts listening to you and the president?". "They are. There's a lot of listening and a. lot of discussion. It's been very productive.". Officially called the one big beautiful bill. act, the package extends. Trump's 2017 tax cuts lifts federal income tax on tips and.

over time and earmarks nearly $50 billion to resume. construction of the border wall. It slashes federal spending by more than. $1.5 trillion, including cuts to food assistance. and Medicaid, which could leave more than 8 million Americans. without health insurance over a decade. but GOP hardliners pushing for even steeper cuts. Anger, the bill would add trillions. to the deficit over the next 10 years. - The president wants this past now. It was not done yet. - And Speaker Johnson signaling he's moving ahead.

with a full house vote as soon as tonight. or tomorrow morning, he can only afford. to lose three Republicans. - David. - And you'll be tracking it for us, J.O. Bryan tonight, J. Thank you, that budget uncertainty, J. Reports on, adding to investor concerns. today on Wall Street, The Dow falling nearly 817. points down almost 2 percent. Those projected budget deficits on Capitol Hill. leading to a spike in bond yields also fueling. concerns. Tonight, a federal judge finding. the Trump administration, quote, "unquestionably violated. his court order by suddenly deporting eight.

migrants to a third country, possibly somewhere. in Africa, possibly South Sudan. DHS acknowledged putting the eight migrants on a plane but. have refused to reveal where they would end up.". Judge Brian Murphy, finding the men were given little more. than 24 hours notice, which he determined was undeniably. insufficient under his earlier due process ruling. He did not issue in order to return. the deportees, but said he would require the administration. to quote "remedy" this violation. Tonight, the Department of Justice moving to end federal. oversight of the Minneapolis and Louisville police. departments. It comes nearly five years now.

after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. sparked nationwide protests and calls for police reform. Both cities reached agreements to implement changes. When we come back here tonight, the disturbing images, this. evening, authorities seizing more than 300 animals. from a park safari right here in the U.S. Also tonight, the measles scare following a major sold out. concert right outside New York City. What authorities are now saying? And tonight the real estate battle, now brewing over pulp. Leo's childhood home right here outside Chicago this picture.

will it be safe for people to visit or will it now go to the. highest bitter more in a moment. Tonight, authorities easing more than 300 animals from a. park safari in Brandon, Oregon. Wildlife officials say the animals, including lions, tigers. and camels, were neglected and had not received vet care. Animal rescue groups are now providing food and water. Tonight, the images of a dump truck slamming into a home in. Woodbury Heights, New Jersey. The truck veering off the road, speeding right across. front yards, crashing into the side of the house. The homeowner was injured and is now in stable condition.

Incredible pictures there. authorities believe the driver suffered a medical emergency. He is in stable condition as well. When we come back, there's news tonight of a measles scare. for thousands of fans at a sold out concert. outside New York City. In the NFL tonight, the future of the Tush push has now. been decided, and the battle over Pope Leo's childhood. home outside Chicago tonight. To the index of other news and tonight health officials. are now warning that thousands of concert goers may. have been exposed to measles during a Shakira. concert at MetLife Stadium just outside New York City on.

May 15th. That was last Thursday night. One person infected with measles was in the crowd. authorities have not said where the person was sitting. A real estate showdown over Pope Leo the 14th's childhood. home in Dalton, Illinois, his family owned the house. for nearly 50 years. The current owners want to sell it at auction. to the highest bidder. Village officials offering to buy it. directly or take it through eminent domain. They want the house to be in a historic site. open to the public to visit to the NFL tonight and the Tush. push will live on NFL teams were jacking an attempt to ban.

the controversial but highly successful play. Of course, made famous by the Philadelphia. Eagles. The short yardage play with the quarterback is shoved. forward by his teammates. The Eagles celebrating tonight with a two word post push on. When we come back here tonight, the schoolchildren learning from. Broadway stars and getting a chance to star in. their own Disney musical. Debra Roberts behind the scenes tonight. ABC World News Tonight with David Neur, sponsored by Inspire. No mask, no hose, just sleep.

Funny tonight America's strong, the school children learning. from Broadway stars, creating their own Disney musical, Debra Roberts backstage. With the school year winding down across America, a brand. new way of putting on the annual play is taking center stage. In your position, the kids here at PS88 have been practicing. the Lion King for months now. And finally today they get a chance to show their parents. and their teachers what they've - You've been up to.

- Inside this elementary school in Queens, New York, come on, fourth and fifth graders. are part of a new pilot program. Getting them ready for their big stage debut. - So are you nervous? Are you excited? What are you feeling at this moment? - There is an excited. - Nervous and excited. - Yeah, I agree. My name is Dmitriy. My role is Rafiki. My name is Gabriella. My role is Pumba. - My name is Byron. My character is Old Symba.

Projection! It's a program. called Stage Connect within Disney. musicals and schools, Disney's ABC's Parent Company. There's something transformational about theater. It gives them permission to find their own voice. They learn the importance of dedication and showing up. Let's try that again. It's a new, free online toolkit teaching schools. how to put on shows. That was excellent. anyone with an internet connection can now learn. how to put on a Disney show. And these are going to be shows that these.

kids know the Lion King. Yeah. Teaching, directing. Step, cross, back, back, back, back, back. And choreography, set, costume, and prop design, all from. the actual Broadway prose. These are hosted by El Steven Taylor from the Lion King. The actual Lion King performers. - I'm a key place move fossa. - Welcome to the Disney Musicals in School. Stage Connect platform. - Special Education Teacher Carol Bauer is the director.

- To be able to have this Disney Connect. where they teach you and show you how to do a production. - Yeah, it's priceless, priceless. - What kinds of changes have you seen in them? - I just see the confidence level explodes. Their language explodes. - Some of those beyond just the same. - And you take it away, you take it with you. It's forever. With minutes to go until rehearsal, the actors. are ready and grateful. Why is this important? Well, you make friends along the way. Confident made me like theater way more than I did before.

So you're learning things about yourself? Yes, very much. And with their families and their seats, it's show time. ♪ Everybody loves class ♪. The reviews from the audience, raves. ♪ I love you ♪. Seeing that confidence build has been amazing. They come out of their cell and it's such a beautiful thing. to see. It really just brings the whole school together. ♪ Just in a place to be killed ♪.

(audience cheering). - So much talent. Thank you, Deborah. Your school can apply, visit Disney. Musicals and Schools. Thank you for making World News Tonight with David New York, America's most-watched newscast.