that is tonight's last word. "the 11th hour" with stephanie ruhle starts now. tonight, donald trump has a trial date in the hush money case. why an appeals court reduced his massive civil bond. what's next as his social media company begins trading tomorrow? then republican outrage grows at mike johnson over the spending deal. what far right house members are saying about his future. plus, russia tries to link the moscow attack to ukraine. kyiv has denied playing any role. former ambassador to ukraine is here. as the 11th hour is under way this monday night. y night. monday night.

good evening once again. i am stephanie ruhle lai from miami, and we are now 225 days away from the election. and today was a pivotal day in two quarts for the twice impeached, four times indicted ex-president donald a trump. today was his deadline to come up with over a $460 million bond in his civil fraud trial. meanwhile, his defense team and a hush money case had to explain to a judge why they wanted to further delay that trial. the day ended with two rulings -- one ensuring that trump will be the first president to stand criminal trial. the other means that he will be the first president required to post a nine figure bond in a fraud case. laura jared has all the details >> reporter: last minute, an appeals court reducing the bond in his civil fraud case by mored than half to $175 million. the trial judge had set it at more than 450 million.

mr. trump, praising the ruling. >> what they did is they did election interference, which is court cases, let's try and tie him up and take as much of his money as possible. >> reporter: with no lenders wanting to cover the staggering penalty while he appeals, mr. pe trump was facing the prospect of the u.s. attorney general seizing his property and bank accounts as soon as today, but now has 10 days to come up with a far smaller bond. mr. trump saying he has the cash, and would was pressed by nbc's garrett haig. >> you want to start putting money into your campaign? >> first of all, it's none of your business, frankly. >> reporter: the court found mr. trump falsely inflated the value of his properties to get banks to get better loan terms. his attorneys are appealing, saying there were no big comes. that the banks were repaid. but today, new york attorney general letitia james to highlighted the president is ill on the hook should he ultimately loses his appeal, saying donald trump is still

facing accountability for his dagger in fraud. the $464 million judgment plus interest against donald trump and other defendants still stands. meanwhile, the presumptive gop nominee sat stone faced in a on different courtroom today, receiving a serious setback. a judge in manhattan adding a new date of april 15th for the first-ever criminal trial of a former president. facing charges of doctoring his company's records to cover up co an alleged affair before the 2000 eckstein election, mr. trump's legal team today failed to convince the judge to delay the trial any further. >> i don't know how you're going to have a trial that's going on right in the middle of an election. >> reporter: trump says he would have no problem testifying in the hush money criminal trial. he also says he will post the now reduced 100 $75 million bond very quickly within the next 10 days. with that, let's get somewhere with our panel this evening.

suzanne crag is here, pulitzer prize-winning investigative reporter for the new york iv times. she has reported on donald trump's finance for years. david ehrenberg is here, state attorney for palm beach county,t and watergate assistant executor john dale. is a former federal prosecutor, having served in the federal district of new york. di dave, i am in your home state, so you get to go first. many people were surprised when the new york appeals court reduced trumps bond. but he starts to pay 175 million bucks. and if he loses the appeal, another 285 million. >> i was surprised, because he went and sat on social media, i got the money. over $500 million. and the court still listened to his lawyers and that of the client and allow him to reduce the amount significantly and get another extra 10 days. and you know, the criminal justice system is not a strength as it should be. especially in new york, where

they don't allow cameras in the courtroom. you had this appellate court who didn't even explain the ruling. you think this would be the one case where they tell the public why they did what they did. >> it was this two page ruling without any reasoning. >> it's not a criminal case, it's ace civil case. i think they did the attorney generally favor, because the attorney general's office is not in the business of seizing office buildings. they got to be mortgaged, they got to pay off the mortgages, the commercial real estate market in new york is terrible. $175 million is not chump change, and there's still a monitor and in place. trump nor his relatives can encumber or dissipate any of the assets. so i think the attorney general has accomplished what she wants, and the public is secured, and now maybe it will take its course.

>> he's got this extra 10 days. he says he's got the money no problem and he will be paying it quickly. two questions. you think he has the money, and number two, he's also saying he's not going to fund his campaign. he didn't do it last time. why do we think this time will be different? >> let me start with the first one, which is, i do think he has the money, and i think he will post this soon, because it's collecting interest. he's been given 10 days. i think we may see it most before. but i think he could do this. what was interesting, and i was surprised, too, to see the appeals court come true on this. i thought, you know, thursday is when we thought it would rule, and that's when they normally rule, and it came and it went. and then friday afternoon, he did. he said i've got the 500 million. so -- that's buster in the background. so i was surprised to see it this morning. it's still short, and there sort of people who are wondering if there were two forms of justice here. one for donald trump and one for the rest of us.

it's less than half of what we thought he would have to post, but it's still a lot of money. and the appeals court, it was frustrating that they didn't give any reason why, one of the reasons i keep thinking about was that donald trump had to post $500 million. what that would have done to the trump organization depending on the assets that letitia james decided to go after. she went after all of his cash. it could've went on his payroll and his ability to service his debt. >> given that his his cash position, given how well you know his finance is and him in being an honest broker, you believe he's going to fund his own campaign? i can't even keep a straight face. >> that's a separate question. i don't think we are going to see that coming up. i think based simply on history, he did in 2016, that he hasn't put any money in dense then, and i don't get happening. it hasn't happened to date in

this campaign. you know, hard to predict what's going to happen, but history is a bit of a guide here. >> ryan, you been reporting of trump turning to his old cast of wealthy supporters. many of them have changed, for the financial aid he needs. any of these guys coming to bail him out? >> i don't know about bailing on out, but what we are seeing here is donald trump, while he's been figuring out how to fi deal with all these legal de issues and posting a bond and whatnot, he's been hobbling together a very small group of wealthy republican donors to help not only his campaign, but a political action committee that pays for donald trump's legal bills. i believe about a month ago ou they paid $5 million. and these are people like john paulson, rebecca mercer, robert mercer, and many others. and that's all kind of cultivating into an event that set to take place next month at paulson's home, and the tickets -- the top two giggles for $800,000, and that is being split between the campaign, the

rnc, and the same pack we just alluded to that pays for donald trump's legal fees. this is where he's at right e now. we kind of touched on this before, whether or not he is going to put money into his own campaign. i think the better question is,h why would he even have to do that if the fundraising is so strong? and the answer is, it hasn't been strong that lately. is kind of in a cash crush right now and he estimate money, not only for a campaign for president, but also for a pack that pays for his legal bills. it's a very interesting and unique situation, stephanie. >> dave, is it a bigger deal that donald trump is only having to post $175 million versus 464? or is it a bigger deal that fore the first time ever, the former president, three weeks from now, is about to hit for a criminal trial? >> i think it is huge that we will have a criminal trial for donald trump before the

election. we thought all was lost, but i knew the judge wasn't messing around. he wanted this to go. he was the subject of attacks by donald trump, saying he some radical democrat who is biased. and he was on that. he knew these were all stall tactics and he repudiated trump slayers in court today. it wasn't a good look for them. i think the biggest deal today is the fact that he's going to trial, and it's happening on april 15th -- a day that trump may not have on his calendar, because it is tax day. >> any chance his lawyers will be successful in getting a delay? that judge, he was not happy. >> he said on the way out of the courthouse, the appeal goes absolutely nowhere. the judge has broad discretion and control of this docket. i don't even think they're going to file an appeal. i don't think it would be in good faith. when trump was first indicted in this case, he said there would be death and destruction o if you really comes to trial. none of that is second place. i think the criminal justice system is going to play out.

i had occasion to talk at the aba conference in san francisco a couple of weeks ago, and i called trump an existential threat to the rule of law. i think the best way we can protect the rule of law, i think dave can agree, is to make sure he gets a fair trial. >> suzanne, people like to dismiss this case. it's just about hiding adultery. it's just about embarrassment. it not. he is facing allegations of criminally falsifying records to hide information from voters. >> two things there. i think the reason people dismiss it is because it is a bit of a novel approach to a law. in order to get it to a felony, you got to connect a misdemeanor to it. and we haven't seen something like that. it's not very common to do that. i think from the other point of view, it is a very compelling cinematic case for a jury. as you said, you got a hush money payment to an adult film

star in the final, you know, weeks of the campaign. arguably, and donald trump will say was for another reason a lip just because he didn't want his wife to know. but i think they're trying to present evidence that it was actually to sway the election. these are the things that movies are made of, and i think this is a very sellable case to a jury. >> brian, are any of donald trump's big-time backers phase that all that he is facing criminal charges, that they could be backing a guy that ac could be convicted? does this matter? >> to be honest, i really don'tn think they care. that was part of the reporting we did for this dory. and really, when you talk to people close to many of these donors were going to this event at paulson's home next month, you know, many of them just say that they really don't care with some of their money going to donald trump's legal bills, or quite frankly, raising money from other donors, with the

idea that other money is going toward trump's legal bills. the other reason is because they see this very differently. they see the campaign and donald trump's legal issues intertwined as one. and that is really key here with how donald trump has been raising money. not just from large dollar donors, but also from small dollar donors as well. and it's been looking with this group because these people are just signing on with that belief system. that's another way that he can raise money and pay his legal fees all at the same time. >> john, there's been reporting> -- andrew wiseman's that it -- that he can see divisions within donald trump's defense team. donald trump once asked you to represent him. it wasn't something you wanted to do. what you take is happening with his team? >> some of his lead lawyers are very good lawyers. >> you said now. >> i did.

i'm glad you stopped me. i'm not going to say any further about that, because fu it's foolish. but donald trump, in this case, in any white-collar case, it's a question of intent. there's no doubt the payments were made, and the people, the government, has to prove his criminal intent. let me say summing about michael cohen. if the jury finds michael cohen is not telling the truth, donald trump will be found not guilty. and my former officers, which i'm very proud, some of the ro best arguers in the district office, they passed on this case. not only under bill barr, but under the current justice department. and when michael cohen was sentenced by the sentencing memo that he pled guilty to four serious crimes. lying to congress, lying to banks, and tax evasion. and they wrote in the an sentencing, this is not a defense lawyer. this is the u.s. attorney's office. he committed a series of crimes, quote, each involving deception, motivated by personal greed and admission. so he's a defense lawyer's

dream. >> dave, we are out of time. before we go, i need to get your thoughts on this new florida law ron desantis signed today banning social media for minors under the age of 14. what kind of legal battle is desantis up against now? >> a big one, because he's dealing with people with deep pockets and they're going to fight this in court. first of all, welcome to the free state of florida. now we have the strictest social media law in the u.s. don't anticipate anything happening soon. we are free in florida, just don't try to read what you want, get an abortion, or if you are disney, say what's on your mind. >> thank you both so much. suzanne and brian, i am not letting you leave just yet. before we go to break, unimportant note. you know we like to say on this show that the truth matters, but only if you hear it. there's not a lot of news this weekend about nbc hiring rhonda

mcdaniel. you might've heard about it. but here's what i want you to know about the show. i care deeply about facts. for fact sake, it's been the only thing it's about. our team carefully considers the reporters and the analyst we bring on every night to explain what is happening. one goal -- to try to get better and martyr. so i can promise you this -- we will keep elevating the truth and the fact, and we will keep bringing on the smartest and most trusted voices to do just that. none of the noise will be seen here. we will be right back. right b. to duckduckgo on all your devie

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it is official. dj t begins trading on the nasdaq tomorrow. will the newly formed trump media stock actually be worth billions of dollars? and will be enough to help host the $500 million bond for the civil fraud penalty? suzanne and brian are still with us. suzanne, this acquisition company's share price tank on friday. i will point it lost 14%. trump posted i love truth social in all caps. it is truly like donald trump, the main stock, is being created right before our eyes. what you make of this? >> i'm not surprised by the fluctuations. who knows where it will be six months from now.

but right now, this seems like a pretty attractive play for him. i mean, his stake in it as -- i think tonight was about $4 billion. i mean, that can be not a lot six months from now, but right now, there's a lot of money. it's probably worth more than his real estate to him. so we'll see where this goes. it's going to start trading under dj t tomorrow, and he's not going to be able to sell any of his position unless he gets some waivers from the very friendly board that he has. i don't think we are going to see it necessarily used. who knows, but necessarily used for the bond. but it's a lot of money. >> and he might. as you said, it's his son, it is his closest buddies. but brian, it's exactly what trump wants, right? when you look at where this thing could trade, it's about the value of the brand, not the

fundamentals. if you look at the fundamentals, how on earth with this thing be worth $3 billion? that would apply a cash flow of more than $300 million. they are not even remotely close to that. >> you are right. the question is, once this thing starts trading tomorrow, what exactly is going to happen? not only for the stock, but as we start learning more about the company at self, the one at the file to the ses the. love to see more and more disclosure with investors. this is what happens when you go public. and this has happened before with donald trump and a variety of other companies. he's tried doing stuff in the stock market before, and things did not go so well at this time. it was years ago. the reality is is that there still a long way to go to figure out how much the company is worth, and what exactly is that going to do. what's a point to mean for shareholders? but it's got to be a question of, what does it mean for shareholders of donald trump does find a way to get this

waiver approved by the board, and then how much is that would be worth then, particularly to the shareholders, world shareholders from what i read? what is this company really want to be worth? we will find out in a matter of weeks based on how this plays out in the market and beyond. >> if donald trump dumps his position right into the hands of the shareholders. suzanne, when we talked about who could be a lender to trump, what institution might lend against his vision on the stock, it wasn't going to be a traditional insurance company or a bank. the person who would likely do it is sort of a superrich financier who would like to be a famous kind of anti-woke guy. wouldn't you say? >> that could be one option, yes. we could also see a bank come forward. maybe not one in new york, but i can think of a few other options. i think somebody who would like some influence over him may step up. >> what you make of this guy,

his involvement? he's one of the biggest shareholders in this fact vehicle that is being used to take djt public. he's also a huge investor in tiktok. trump changed his tune on banning tick-tock after meeting with yass in february. >> this is somebody was being actively involved in public politics over the years. he's given $40 million this cycle and he's leaving gop donor. meanwhile, he keeps putting himself into apparent coincidences in a variety of different things involving the republican party and the donald trump. they've gone to a club called growth, actively pushing back on this tick-tock bill. he's an investor into bytedance, meanwhile, the parent company of tiktok. at the same time, in december, they were at that time an investor into digital world

acquisition, the company that really helped the trump media business to become public. so it seems to be the strange coincidences that keep on coming up. when we talk to people, they always push back and they say, you know, jeff yass is interested in dealing with these things. is more focused on education related matters. but again, these things keep coming up. it seems to be continuing a coincidence for a person who is giving millions of dollars for the republican party at this time. >> new topic. there's a huge management shakeup at one of the most imp urgent companies in the country, in the world, boeing. the ceo stepping down at the end of the year. also, big changes happening on the board of directors. is this just the beginning of a major cleanup at this company after some major problems that happened on his watch? in truth ceo style, not being fired. given the offramp to step down.

>> we seen this, though, from bowing before. dennis marlon byrd, i believe that was his name at the time. he had his issues with some of these planes that were created through boeing. this has come back before with the same company. so i'm not entirely sure what boeing is going to do. they tried this approach before by pushing out the ceo, and things continue to happen with this company, evolving safety matters. look, people have to feel comfortable and safe flying. that is paramount to owings business. but at the same time, the company really hasn't been doing anything other than this kind of two step dance, forcing out executives. it's really completely unclear what exactly boeing is trying to do any differently this time that they've done in recent years past. >> brian, suzanne, thank you both know much. we've also been following the news that federal agents rated two residences a media mogul sean p diddy combs today. the searches related to a new york trafficking and sexual

assault investigation of the music reducer. >> reporter: tonight, the multiple homes of sean diddy combs, coast to coast, raided by federal homeland security investigations agents. heavily armed and armored tactical teams slept through his posh los angeles property this afternoon, guns drawn, clearing room to room. people in handcuffs as agents made their way to the property. a similar scene pulling out into these homes nearly 1000 miles away on miami's island, where jennifer lopez also has homes. >> the fact that diddy's home was raided means that agents for homeland security were able to show probable cause that a crime was committed, and evidence of that alleged crime would be found at these homes. >> reporter: his whereabouts right now, unknown. but multiple sources tell nbc news diddy was in the miami area when the searches began. the raids were conducted by dhs

on search warrants originating from federal prostic eaters in the other district of new york. a person familiar tells nbc news multiple witnesses have been interviewed by prosecutors and investigators in connection with the case. >> the speed at which it appears these raids were conducted suggests that agents were concerned that they needed to secure evidence quickly and prevent anyone from destroying evidence before they got there. >> reporter: it's the latest in a legal firestorm surrounding the 55-year-old with multiple lawsuits alleging sexual assault, abuse, harassment, forced drugging, and the distribution of illegal firearms and narcotics. the allegations began last year when r&b singer cassie filed a lawsuit in new york. she was seeking $3 million, alleging physical and sexual abuse as well as trafficking. they settled for an undisclosed amount. several other women came forward with similar rent. representatives did not immediately respond to nbc's request for comment.

>> thank you steve patterson for that report. when we come back, the government shutting down. that was solved friday night, but the issues are only getting bigger for speaker johnson. why anger is bubbling up from the right flank of his party, and what's going to happen next in the 11th hour continues. co dovato is a complete hiv treatment for some adults. no other complete hiv pill uses fewer medicines to help keep you undetectable than dovato. detect this: marnina learned that most hiv pills contain 3 or 4 medicines. dovato is as effective with just 2. if you have hepatitis b, don't stop dovato without talking to your doctor. don't take dovato if you're allergic to its ingredients or taking dofetilide. this can cause serious or life-threatening side effects. if you have a rash or allergic reaction symptoms, stop dovato and get medical help right away. serious or life-threatening lactic acid buildup and liver problems can occur. tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems, or if you are pregnant, breastfeeding,

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here's why you should switch fo to duckduckgo on all your devie duckduckgo comes with a built-n engine like google, but it's pi and doesn't spy on your searchs and duckduckgo lets you browse like chrome, but it blocks cooi and creepy ads that follow youa from google and other companie. and there's no catch. it's fre. we make money from ads, but they don't follow you aroud join the millions of people taking back their privacy by downloading duckduckgo on all your devices today. >> speaker johnson, who is

barely been a speaker for 6 months, let us do a complete catastrophe. >> he made a mistake when he walked away from the bipartisan caps echo to put pressure on my democratic colleagues. but i can promise you, if you put a ukraine bill on the floor and you haven't secure the border, there's going to be a problem within the ranks and on capitol hill. >> if you could not already tell, republicans are not happy with house a mike johnson, and they are putting him on notice. marjorie taylor greene filed a motion to vacate against johnson after he negotiated a spending bill with democrats to avert a government shutdown last friday. but the real fight could be in the weeks ahead. the house foreign affairs chair says he expects johnson will finally bring a ukraine a bill to the floor after easter. for more, let's bring in nbc news washington correspondent and stuart stevens, a veteran of the mitt romney and george w. bush presidential campaigns.

he is now with the lincoln project. let's start with the republican fury towards johnson. i just played a little bit of it, but what have you heard? >> well, what we've heard is there are republicans, mainly in the far right sort of freedom caucus wing of the party that are very angry that speaker johnson had democrats help him to continue to fund the government. what we are foreseeing here is now marjorie taylor greene saying that she is filing this as a, quote, pink slip. it's a warning, not a pink slip, rather that it that exact time right now to choose a new speaker and that republicans should start thinking about this. what you really see are republicans who don't want to be compromising with democrats really aiming their fury at this beaker. you heard chip roy there saying the next could be this ukraine aid package. if speaker johnson put that on the floor. the republicans are going to have yet another sort of battle here. what we are really seeing is a number of republicans repeating what we saw with kevin mccarthy. if you like deja vu, and that

you have a conference that has control of the house, but in reality, there's very little that they agree upon and a way that they can actually move forward with legislation. >> stewart, barely 100 republicans bill. a majority of the conference voted against it. what does that tell you? >> well, i think it's a non- governing caucus. you know, this is part of a minority rule phenomenon here. you know, most americans support funding the government. they don't want to shut down. most americans, more than not, support funding ukraine. and there is still this sort of element of republican politics that work against the majority. you know, everything else of this congress does, it's just going to be completely incidental to what they do with ukraine. i mean, this is a generational vote. mitt romney called it, i think, the most important vote the senate was going to take in 20 years. i don't think that's an underestimation of what it

means to democracy or eastern europe or to america's place in the world. >> i want to talk about something else. marjorie taylor greene and these other -- i don't know. 30 or so extreme republicans, it seems that they have this chokehold on the gop, or they have for the better part of the last year. but their grip also seems like it slipping. i want to share with former republican congressman ed this weekend, because this guy is fired up. >> if you are wondering why you are trying to negotiate against chuck schumer and joe biden, it's because republicans can't pick the right candidate, and they can't win elections. they got nobody to blame but themselves for picking the wrong candidates, running bad races, and losing winnable elections. what a person to pass a company detents would want to be the speaker. you had a speaker. kevin mccarthy and wanted to get rid of him. >> what you think about that, stuart ? >> he's a very odd looking

person. you know, to be speaking passionately here about the party that he was a part of an helped build. but look, he is right. this is a completely dysfunctional party. and the root of it is, what do they believe in? the party exist to be democrats. this is an organ in principle freight political party. it's what cartels are. why does opec exist? it exists to sell oil. and that's really what the party has crumbled into. >> stewart, you never cease to entertain me. we are watching the sort of great resignation unfold among house republicans, but over in the senate, something different. lisa murkowski signaling she might leave her party altogether. what we know about this? >> it's really interesting. you have the senator sang very clearly that she is not happy with the fact that the republican party has become the

republic of trump. she is clear she does not want to vote and will not vote for donald trump, even though he is now the republican nominee. in some ways, lisa murkowski, along with other names like susan collins -- even though susan collins isn't signaling the same thing, she's already been somebody who's independent- minded. she was always someone we were looking to in the senate to vote differently at times from republicans. so in some ways, it's not surprising that she is saying, i want to take it one step further and be independent. even though it is surprising in the fact that the senate at all -- that the senate continues to be this place where you have a very small majority either one way or the other, much like the house. but in the senate, it's even tighter in some ways, which is why we watch all of these races so closely. i think she is voicing an opinion that is saying she is upset with donald trump. the thing to me that is still interesting is that she still seems to be in the minority

when it comes to sort of the way that the party functions when we think of sort of the fact that donald trump could still beat out all of these republicans to become the party nominee. the fact that when i talked to voters, republican voters, while they may not like donald trump's brashness and other things, the majority of them gave him a clean sweep. not exactly, but pretty much a clean sweep when you think about the primaries where he was just able to win one after the other and was able to do away with all of his competitors. lisa murkowski, she is signaling that there is a frustration within the establishment of republicans that is just doubling up more and more. in reality, in some ways, the party is leaving lisa murkowski and lisa murkowski is leaving the party. >> i can't even have a straight face looking at stewart after this comment. when we come back, why russian media is now blaming ukraine for that deadly concert attack in moscow. former ambassador to ukraine bill taylor joins us. us.

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russia is still reeling from the terrorist attack that killed more than 130 people at a concert hall last week. u.s. officials say it was isis and isis-k. but over the weekend, russian media began pointing the finger at ukraine -- something ukraine strongly denies. matt bradley has the details.

>> tonight, moscow mourns as eyewitnesses tell the world about what cores they endured. they were like this. they weren't stopping. they were screaming, panicking. the gunmen went on a rampage to a concert hall friday, shooting, throwing bombs, and dousing with flammable liquid. at least 137 people were killed. they were just walking and gunning down everyone. tonight, russian president vladimir putin says they were to blame. over the weekend, putin had blamed ukraine for trying out the terrorists to escape, something they denied. isis claimed responsibility for the attack. the group is an afghan based affiliate called isis-k. isis-k was responsible for a suicide bomber that killed 13 u.s. troops and nearly 100

afghanistan's from afghanistan's from all of them, to nationals, were caught by police. two of the four pled guilty. all looked beaten and bound. videos of what appeared to be brutal interrogations from new stations. >> william taylor, former u.s. ambassador to ukraine, joins us now. he's also the institute of peace vice president for russia and europe. we need your help on this one. vice president harris says there is no evidence ukraine had anything to do with this attack. is this just a cynical opportunity for putin, is he trying to cover for the fact that russian intelligence failed badly? >> russian intelligence did feel badly. and it turns out, of course, that we have provided them information. we provided the russians intelligence on this attack. which they chose to ignore. president putin -- i should say

vladimir putin. we don't call them president anymore. he mocked us for providing that information. they didn't react, they didn't change anything, it didn't protect the concert. and they have now regretted that. >> something a lot of people don't know much about -- why would russia be a target for isis? can you explain that to us? >> the main reason is the russians have oppressed muslim people, mainly syria. but even before that, chechnya. there are two chechnya and wars the russians fought. and again, syria, they have been ruthless, horrible in massacres, in bombs, and poisonings of muslim people. so the muslims have a lot of reason to hate the russians. >> let's actually talk about what is really happening in and with ukraine.

kiev was hit with a barrage of missiles over the weekend. what's the situation on the ground like there? >> it's not good. it's not good. you've been reporting on what's going on here in the united states with his vote to provide the ukrainians with the supplies they need, with the weapons they need, the ammunition they need. the counter missile defense systems that they need. and that is held up, and that is having the effect. i was there a week and a half ago. i saw it on the faces of all the ukrainians i talked to. they want to believe that we are going to be there. we have been there for them, they are so appreciative of what we have done in the past, but they are really worried, because they don't see it moving. and the russians are taking advantage of this cause in the systems that we provide. as we see, you reported, we are taking back little by little some territory from the ukrainians.

the ukrainians have pushed the russians out and now they are pushing back, because they don't have the ammunition. >> there are these reports that speaker mike johnston may bring a vote right after easter around aid to ukraine, when they all get back. does that give you hope that aid will resume? >> it does. it definitely does. there are a lot of different ways that the speaker can bring this vote to the floor, and just like in the senate, where it passed 70-29 -- we don't get many of those kinds of boats these days. and so i think we mentioned in an earlier segment that there is strong support in the united states as well as in the congress, but the senate and the house, for this ukraine package. so yes, when the speaker finds a way to get it to the floor, then the funds will then come to the pentagon, and they will be able to buy more ammunition and or to restock our own supplies so that we can send more to ukraine.

>> what is your reaction to how politicized aiding ukraine has become in the u.s.? >> it is so interesting. if the republicans are split, the democrats supported -- but again, when you say so politicized -- in the senate, 70-29, that's a pretty strong vote. that's a pretty strong vote. so this has to be put to a vote, and it will demonstrate that it's got bipartisan support. >> well, we will see. ambassador, always good to see you. you make a smarter every time you are here. you would home, don't go anywhere. when we come back, a major milestone for a new york legend. he will celebrate a half- century with the icon, jess scarborough, delivering news to nyc when the 11th hour continues. continues.

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>> what a great way to kick off my celebration of 50 years, but goes on a monday, march 25th, exactly 50 years ago, that i walked through the door and began a career. >> the last thing before we go tonight is in absolutely fabulous one. 50 years of chuck scarborough. if you lived anywhere in the last five decades, you would recognize that voice anywhere. the iconic anchorman, chuck scarborough. he celebrates an incredible 50 years behind the desk at w nbc today. the new york times points out that scarborough started on the job in 19 70 four and has covered blackouts, september 11th, covid, seven mayors, and eight governors. the empire's date building is lit blue tonight just in his honor. w nbc's andrew sieve has a look

at this special day in 50 years of very important television. >> is talking about the empire state building. but let's face it -- chuck scarborough could be talking about his own place in the skyline. >> the view is just astounding. >> reporter: today, the legendary anchorman celebrated 50 years to the day he first walked through the doors at rockefeller center. the half-century milestone celebrated with a visit to the empire state building, where he posed for pictures with his family, his coworkers, and a few with the bosses. he even got to visit the 100 third-floor vip deck with co- anchor natalie pascarella. on a tour of the art deco skyscraper, he sat by statues on the iconic beam. marveling at how the workers built this tower in about one

year. also an astounding feat, chuck's career, spanning five decades. the longest continuous run of any anchor in the tri-state area. at a celebratory lunch with dozens of colleagues at the rainbow room, many spoke about what it has meant to work alongside a man synonymous with news. >> he is a truly humble, kind, compassionate, loving, and funny. >> is not just an anchor in my mind, he's a news man. >> to be in this building 35 or 50 years at the same job is an incredible accomplishment. >> it astounds me that i'm still here. the overwhelming feeling is gratitude. >> natalie, pat, david, am a super fan of all of them. if you are not from the new york area and this didn't speak to you, i'm really sorry.

sometimes when your host is from the garden state, she gets to pick the stories, and tonight, i am especially grateful for chuck scarborough. we say here all the time, local news matters. new yorkers are especially lucky that we've had the best for the last 15 years. congratulations, chuck, this phenomenal milestone. i can't wait to watch you next. on that note, i wish you all a very, very good night. from all of our colleagues across the networks of nbc news, thanks for staying up late. i will see you in new york at the end of tomorrow. tomorrow. right now, the justice system is moving when it comes to donald trump, but it is moving slowly. we saw more evidence of that again today. while the wheels of justice turn at their own frustrating pace, we want to spend some time talking to people to saw and heard with donald trump did in these various cases