Wednesday, November 4, 2026

0:00When an intruder approaches a home, they expect a camera. What they don't expect... Stop. This is SimpliSafe. Police are on the way. Using smart AI cameras, live U.S.-based agents help deter intruders in under 30 seconds. Don't just record a break-in. Stop it from ever happening. Plan starting around a dollar a day. Right now, get 70 % off your new system with professional monitoring at simplisafe.com. 30 seconds response time requires monitoring plan with outdoor protection starting at$49.99 a month. Visit simplisafe.com slash licenses for alarm license information. The leaves are changing. The weather's turning.

0:33It's a perfect time to get cozy and listen to a few stories. Since it's Halloween, of course, they'd have to be mysterious, suspenseful, perhaps a little creepy. Join me for an all-new Morrison Mysteries featuring the stories of Edgar Allan Poe. Coming soon, wherever you get your podcasts. Listen now.

1:01Tonight, we are live from our NBC News election headquarters. The historic blue wave handing Democrats the House and the Senate. The widespread wins even in deep Republican states. Now those Democrats laying out their agenda as Republicans reckon with their brutal performance. The vice president trying to distance himself from the Iran war. And Ron DeSantis calling it a close to an extinction level event for Republicans. Plus, President Trump's unexpected appearance touring his new ballroom, what he's blaming the losses on. Right now, Alaska still in play. Could those votes for the other Dan Sullivan be enough to snatch victory from Senator Dan Sullivan?

1:45And Democrats' historic win sending stocks surging. Why investors are so bullish and how it impacts your 401k. Also breaking tonight, the horrifying shooting at an office complex near Tampa. A gunman carrying a rifle, killing a woman, and terrified workers fleeing with their hands up how it came to an end. A helicopter crashing near Miami, upside down, right there in the water. One killed, two others tonight fighting for their lives. New images of possible debris from that deadly Learjet crash, leaving a hole in this woman's roof. The six-year-old found alive after going missing in the woods for days.

2:27how rescuers found him on horseback. Plus, the poet and the pontiff, legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan visiting with Pope Leo. And the history made across America, the trailblazers for both parties changing the face of government. Nightly News starts right now. This is a special edition of NBC Nightly News. Decision 2026. From NBC News election headquarters, here's Tom Yames. And good evening on this Wednesday, and we are tracking the fast moving developments in wake of that historic midterm election. You can pick your metaphor. Last night's results were a political earthquake, a blue tsunami, a historic routing.

3:12Whatever the word choice, the numbers speak for themselves. The Democrats flipping seven seats in the Senate with two more still in play. And in the House, our NBC News decision desk estimates they'll gain at least 34 House seats. All of it adds up to a Democratic control of both houses of Congress, the Democratic House and Senate leaders holding news conferences today, laying out their agenda moving forward. And for the Republican Party today, a reckoning. Vice President J.D. Vance seeming to distance himself from some of the president's policies, blaming the war on Iran for the losses. And Governor Ron DeSantis called it a close to an extinction level event for the Republican Party.

3:54The president choosing today to tour his new White House ballroom while insisting the vote was not a referendum on him. Tonight, we'll look at what comes next. With the stock market seeming to relish a split government, all three major indices skyrocketing today. And there are two Senate races still uncalled. One separated by only a few dozen votes. And the saga of the two Dan Sullivans in Alaska is far from over tonight. Our reporters are spread out across the country today covering this historic realignment. And we begin tonight with Ryan Nobles. Tonight, the stunning Democratic blowout. We just took back Texas.

4:34In a rebuke of President Trump, NBC News projecting Democrats winning control of the House and Senate. The likely Democratic speaker today. It wasn't simply a blue wave. it was an American tsunami. And current speaker Mike Johnson announcing he won't run for GOP leadership following what Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is calling carnage. This is close to an extinction level event for Republicans in many parts of the country. In Senate races, Democrat and pediatrician Annie Andrews in Deep Red, South Carolina projected to defeat Darlene Graham. This victory doesn't belong to me. It belongs to all of you.

5:15To Pastor Adam Hamilton in Kansas, knocking off Republican incumbent Roger Marshall. To Texas, where James Tallarico helped end 30 years of Republican dominance statewide by beating Ken Paxton, today vowing to work with the president. We should also work with President Trump to deliver for working people across Texas and across this country. And in Michigan, progressive Abdul El-Sayed set to become the first Muslim senator. I am so proud and honored to stand here as your senator-elect from the great state of Michigan. One of the few bright spots for the GOP in Florida, where Senator Ashley Moody and Governor-elect Byron Donald survived the blue wave.

6:00Donald set to become the state's first black governor. Mr. President, I want you to hear from Florida that we are still red. Exit polls show 79 percent of voters said inflation is causing hardship for their families. Gas prices are expensive. I literally feel like I'm working to still be broke. But the Democratic victories seem more as a rebuke of Republicans than an embrace of Democrats, with our pre-election polling showing the Democratic Party's approval rating is just 29 percent. This was not a positive view of the Democrats. This was a rejection of Republicans in Washington, and Democrats just happened to be the beneficiary.

6:42Already, top Democrats suggesting they'll launch investigations into the Trump administration, suggesting impeachment proceedings against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Overnight, the Democrat, who will run the House Oversight Committee, posting lawyer up, but at least one new Democratic winner pushing back. The people of Texas did not elect me last night for retribution. They elected me to deliver for them to make their lives easier and better and less stressful. Ryan Nobles joins us now live. And Ryan, what do Democratic leaders in Congress say they want to tackle first?

7:18Yeah, Tom, top Democrats say they're going to be laser focused on affordability issues around areas like energy costs and health care. while a top incoming Democratic committee chair is calling for cuts to the Pentagon's budget because of the war in Iran. Tom. Ryan Nobles leading us off tonight. Ryan, thank you. And President Trump tonight blaming that stunning Republican defeat in the midterms on the Iran war, but still saying he made the right call to start the conflict. Garrett Hague is at the White House for us. Tonight, with voters handing him that devastating rebuke. Our country is more successful now than at any time in its history.

7:53Watch the beam go up. President Trump appearing at the White House today alongside construction workers, touting his new ballroom. We're ahead of schedule, under budget, and it's moving very nicely. And defending the Iran war, while acknowledging it was a major factor in the GOP's wipeout. Well, I think it's largely true because it drove the gasoline up a little bit short term. If I had it to do again, I'd have to do it again because long term, it's the only answer. You can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon. Following Vice President Vance's own blunt assessment, appearing to try to distance himself from the conflict, posting the reason we lost is the war.

8:35Adding, if you'd like to argue it was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next six years was worth it, then do so. All of it, a swift reversal of fortune for President Trump, who won every battleground state and the popular vote just two years ago. His party punished by voters in an echo of President Obama's defeat in the 2010 midterms, when Democrats lost 63 House seats. I'm not recommending for every future president that they take a shellacking like I did last night. President Trump had implored voters to pretend he was up for election. So just close your eyes and pretend I'm on the ballot.

9:11But exit polls show 62 percent disapproved of his performance. If I were on the ballot, we would have won. There was such love at those rallies. It was incredible. We weren't able to transfer the love to candidates. He congratulated Democrats, saying he will work with them to a point. I mean, I'll get along probably with the Democrats unless they want to be destructive. But they have the power of the veto. And Garrett joins us now live from the White House. Garrett, I know you have some new reporting on a major potential cabinet cabinet shakeup after the Republican midterm losses? That's right, Tom.

9:45Two people familiar with the discussions tell NBC News that President Trump has told some of his allies in recent days he's considering replacing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and has asked who should succeed him. Though today, the president praised Hegseth as, quote, terrific and said he would not fire him. Tom? All right, Garrett Hick first. Garrett, thank you. We have a lot more to talk about here at the desk, but let's check in with our Hallie Jackson. And Hallie, Democrats already projected to take control of the Senate, but incredibly, they could grow their margins. And I know you just got some new vote in.

10:15You got that right. Let's start with where we are in the Senate right now. Remember, this is a net gain for Democrats of seven seats, 54 seats they have right now in the Senate, a four seat majority that could get to 56 because we have two states that we're still waiting on. They are still counting vote in Mississippi. Remember, a state that hasn't voted for a Democrat in the Senate in more than 40 years. But look at this. Scott Cologne now growing his margin over Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith by about 1 ,100 votes. I just looked at this before the show. It was 65. So this is still very active in Mississippi.

10:48And then you've got Alaska, where you've got about 600 votes separating Mary Peltola, the Democrat, Republican Dan S. Sullivan. And then look at this margin for the other Dan Sullivan, Dan J., 3 ,500. Still more vote coming in here. That one could be a while, Tom. But right now, making a difference. All right, Hallie Jackson, we thank you for that. We're joined now by the moderator of Meet the Press, Kristen Welker. So, Kristen, the last day of the midterms really is the first day of the 2028 primaries, whether we like it or not. And it feels like some Republicans are already putting daylight between themselves and President Trump.

11:18You're absolutely right, Tom. I mean, this really feels like a pivotal moment for Republicans. And the question is, how sharply will they start to distance themselves from President Trump, from his policies? It was extraordinary to hear the vice president blame the war with Iran for those blowout losses, basically giving permission to other Republicans to do the same. Ron DeSantis, of course, calling this an extinction level event. And Tom, one Senate Republican aide said that last night changed the conversation from who can carry President Trump's legacy to who can rebuild the party. It's going to be a major debate.

11:54All right, Kristen, we thank you for that. The stock market surged today after the Democrats' historic win in the midterm elections. The Dow, look at this, up more than 3 % in a single day. Christine Romans is here now. Christine, futures last night were initially down, sending a signal, but that switch swung kind of like the voters by the time we woke up. Yeah, it was remarkable. You know, it was the results and it was the reaction, notably from President Trump that turned things around here. You had the president in multiple interviews say he would accept the election outcome and he saw ways to work with Democrats.

12:25That provided some certainty for investors. And a divided Washington, it could be good for Wall Street. Democrats could serve as a check on the president's trade wars, and Democrats will certainly push to end the war with Iran. That's why oil prices fell so much today, more than 8 percent. That also helped stocks. The election also saw dozens of ballot measures restrict data center construction across the country. That could help the big tech companies maintain their lead. Apple and Microsoft today, both hitting record highs. A major developing story. All right, Christine, Kristen, we thank you so much.

12:57We're going to have much more in the midterms later in the broadcast, but we want to turn to some other news right now. In Florida, gunmen opened fire at a Citibank office complex, killing one person after ramming his car through a fence. Employees fleeing for their lives. George Solis has the video and more. A frightening scene at a Citibank complex. This suspect exiting a car, carrying a rifle and opening fire, shooting a woman who authorities say later died just outside Tampa. Police say he crashed his sedan through a fence and into an outdoor seated area before entering the cafeteria. Authorities say he then got into a shootout with a security guard before being killed.

13:42There were four other individuals that were treated at a local hospital. Some on stretchers. Put your hands up. Go, go, go, go. As dozens of other people were forced to flee the building, video shows employees evacuating with their hands in the air, rushing across the campus. It was horrifying. Somebody hit our window and said there's an active shooter. More than 300 deputies racing to the scene. It's surreal. It's honestly, it's not something you ever think you're going to experience. Authorities say 3 ,200 employees were on the property. They'll now be interviewing witnesses as they investigate.

14:20Citibank also says they are coordinating with law enforcement. Tom? George Solis for us, George. Thank you. And Stane in Florida and the deadly helicopter crash off Miami as families face dangerous flooding north of there, forcing new evacuations. Jesse Kirsch reports from Miami. Tonight, two men are fighting for their lives after a helicopter crashed into Miami's Biscayne Bay. The Miami-Dade sheriff says the chopper was filming boats in the area when it crashed. You can see the downed helicopter here, upside down in the water, with yellow flotation devices deployed on the skids. A third man on board did not survive.

15:00Unfortunately, even through all the life-saving efforts, the individual was pronounced deceased on the scene. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue airlifting two patients to the hospital as storms moved through the area. Deploying air rescue in windy conditions like this and the rain, but also going into the water with the currents and the way that they were presented a danger. And north of here in Port St. Lucie, Florida, police conducting new evacuations today, more than 48 hours after historic rainfall drenched the area. Police body camera video from Tuesday morning shows an officer rushing to save two people, including one with a disability.

15:37One, two, three. Fight. After rising floodwaters swept their van into a canal. The officer reaching for this person's hand to pull them to safety. And tonight, back in Miami, NTSB investigators will try to find the cause of this deadly helicopter crash. Jesse Kirst joins us now live from Miami. And Jesse, I want to ask you about another story I know you've been covering this week. You have new images from that Learjet crash that killed nine people in Palm Beach County on Sunday. That's right, Tom. Take a look at these images appearing to show debris and a hole in the ceiling from what a woman says was a portion of the plane falling through.

16:15Separately, the NTSB now confirms that the jet did in fact start coming apart before impact. Tom. Jesse Kirsch for us. Jesse, thank you. when we return in 60 seconds, the rescue in the woods, the little boy missing for days, how he was rescued on horseback, and knocking on heaven's door, Bob Dylan's audience with the first American Pope at the Vatican. If you like YouTube, you'll love YouTube Premium. It's destroying athlete, creator, and YouTube Maxer. YouTube Premium enhances how I use YouTube with awesome features like offline downloads so I can download my favorite training videos before I hit the gym.

16:54so no Wi-Fi doesn't turn leg day into loading day. Plus, I get ad-free videos, background play, and so much more. YouTube Premium, it's like YouTube got some extra gains. Try YouTube Premium for two months free at youtube.com slash premium. Trial eligibility varies. Terms apply. Cancel any time. Traditional home security only alerts you after a break-in, and that's too late. SimpliSafe is changing that. Stop. This is SimpliSafe. Police are on the way. We don't just alert. We help stop crime before it starts. Plan starting around a dollar a day. Right now, get 70 % off your new system with professional monitoring at simplisafe.com slash sxm.

17:32SimpliSafe, ahead of crime in real time. Outdoor deterrence plans start at$49.99 a month. Visit simplisafe.com slash licenses for alarm license information. Hey guys, Willie Geist here, reminding you to check out the Sunday Sit-Down Podcast. On this week's episode, I get together with the boys of Smartless, Will Arnett, Sean Hayes, and Jason Bateman for a rollicking, frankly unhinged conversation about the surprise success of that SmartList podcast and the long friendship that's made it possible. You can get our conversation now for free wherever you download your podcasts. We're back now with a miracle rescue in the Kentucky mountains where a six-year-old boy had gone missing for days.

18:14Sam Brock reports on how it took an entire community to bring him back on horseback. This is what relief looks like. Volunteers in Kentucky holding six-year-old Roman Heilman smiling and wrapped in a blanket almost two full days after he was first reported missing. They'd scoured mountains and trails searching for the young child who'd spent two nights exposed to the elements before a small group seen here on horseback, including Jacob Mullins, found him Tuesday. We rode 14 miles that day and we was able to locate him a mile and a half from his house. Kentucky police issued an Ian alert Sunday when a child under 18 living with autism or mental illness goes missing.

18:57That's when volunteers came out in force in this small city on the West Virginia border, joining first responders in the search. But Mullins said it was this contingent of 10 or so people on horseback that found Roman when he leapt out from behind the bushes with a dog. I think the dog definitely helped him stay warm at night. You know, the little fellow was butt naked, scratched from head to toe from briars. A lot of tears, a lot of tears was flown from all of us. Tense hours gripping the region, but the uphill climb to find Roman ending with tears of joy. He's fine. It's a true miracle from God.

19:37Sam Brock, NBC News. So great they found him. All right, we're back in a moment with the violent explosion at a Mississippi chemical plant, the tower of smoke that could be seen from far away, people forced to shelter in place. And the next generation, the candidates, making history last night. If you like YouTube, you'll love YouTube Premium. It's destroying athlete, creator, and YouTube Maxer. YouTube Premium enhances how I use YouTube with awesome features like offline downloads so I can download my favorite training videos before I hit the gym. So no Wi-Fi doesn't turn leg day into loading day.

20:15Plus, I get ad-free videos, background play, and so much more. YouTube Premium is like YouTube got some extra gains. Try YouTube Premium for two months free at youtube.com slash premium. Trial eligibility varies. Terms apply. Cancel any time. When an intruder approaches a home, they expect a camera. What they don't expect... Stop. This is SimpliSafe. Police are on the way. Using smart AI cameras, live U.S.-based agents help deter intruders in under 30 seconds. Don't just record a break-in. Stop it from ever happening. Plan starting around a dollar a day. Right now, get 70 % off your new system with professional monitoring at simplisafe.com.

20:5130 seconds response time requires monitoring plan with outdoor protection starting at$49.99 a month. Visit simplisafe.com for alarm license information. Over the years, I've met people whose lives were changed forever in a single moment. In my new podcast, Before and After, I explore what happens after that decisive moment. Personal, powerful conversations with Colin Kaepernick, Jeremy Renner, Gabby Giffords, and others. Join me wherever you get your podcasts. Listen to all episodes of Before and After with Lester Holt now, wherever you get your podcasts.

21:29We're back now with this massive tower of fire and smoke in Mississippi. It started with an explosion before sunrise, and you could see it for miles around the Loveland chemical plant in Greenville. Local officials say it started with an herbicide chemical, so people in the area were ordered to shelter in place much of the day. That's now been lifted. So far, no injuries. And finally, one of the greatest American songwriters, Bob Dylan, meeting with the first American pope at the Vatican. Dylan rocking a hoodie with His Holiness. Pope Leo has quoted the legendary songwriter's lyrics in his book.

22:02This is not the first pontiff Dylan has met. He met Pope John Paul in 1997 during a concert in front of 300 ,000 people. OK, when we come back tonight, history in the making, the trailblazers from both parties changing our country one groundbreaking vote at a time.

22:30And finally tonight, from state capitals to the halls of Congress, Tuesday night delivered a wave of history-making firsts from both parties. Here's Liz Kreutz. Across the country, a historic night of firsts. In Georgia, Keisha Lance Bottoms elected the country's first black woman governor, invoking her enslaved ancestors as she declared victory. I visited the grave of Betsy Peake, my great-great-grandmother, who was born in 1845, 20 years before emancipation. I know I am standing on shoulders made of steel. Nevada, Wisconsin, and Florida also electing their first black governors. While in Texas, crowds exploding as Gina Hinojosa became the first Hispanic person ever elected to their governor's office.

23:21I can't help but think of my grandmother, Grandma Hinojosa, who used to tell me, no te dejes. Know your worth and fight to defend it. California also making history. Si se puede. Javier Becerra, the first Latino elected to lead the Golden State. And likewise in New Mexico, where incoming governor Deb Haaland will become the country's first ever Native American woman to hold that title. Ohio, Minnesota and Tennessee also electing their first women governors. And in the U.S. Senate, Abdul El-Sayed from Michigan set to become the country's first Muslim senator and Chris Pappas in New Hampshire, the first male senator to be openly gay.

24:07It's nice to know that love and truth prevailed tonight. Across the country tonight, a sea of new faces in a wave of political firsts. Liz Kreutz, NBC News. A historical night. That's nightly news for this Wednesday. I'm Tom Yamas. We thank you so much for watching tonight and always. We're here for you. Good night. Traditional home security only alerts you after a break in and that's too late. SimpliSafe is changing that. Stop. This is SimpliSafe. Police are on the way. We don't just alert. We help stop crime before it starts. Plan starting around a dollar a day. Right now, get 70 % off your new system with professional monitoring at simplisafe.com slash sxm.

24:53SimpliSafe. Ahead of crime in real time. Outdoor deterrence plans start at$49.99 a month. Visit simplisafe.com slash licenses for alarm license information.