from donald trump's legal woes, to the proposed prisoner swap to potentially bring britney griner and paul whelan back home. but we have to begin with the midterm elections, now just 101 days away. get this, in the latest gallup poll, at least half of americans are more enthusiastic about voting in the upcoming midterms than in previous elections. but what exactly does this tell us about young voters? many of them are fed up, but it doesn't mean they are sitting this out this november. let's take a look back at the 2020 election where young voters had a record turnout. now, according to tufts university, half of the young voters hit the polls in 2020. and this november, that number could increase as young voters are fired up by political issues, like of course, the supreme court's latest ruling on abortion. a lot is at stake this fall. yet, in a new poll, more than half of api voters say they have never been contacted by any political party. and this is despite being the fastest growing demographic in this country.

shameful. joining me is linda win, she is executive director of run api. natasha brown, cofounder of black voters matter, and of course erin haines, editor at large for the 19th and msnbc political contributor. mary very happy to have you ladies here. they are natasha, you look very tendonitis this morning, happy to see this morning. natasha, i want to kick it off with. you you are on the ground, moving and communities all over this country. and, i'm curious what is your consensus about engagement when it comes to the people? are they hype and ready? once again, to battle voter suppression and at the polls, or will it take some convincing from community validators to get people engaged? and i just want to point out that someone tweeted me this morning and said, it's really not about enthusiasm when it comes to voting, it's about motivation. so i'm curious your thoughts on that as well. >> yeah, you know they are not hype but what they are is they are pissed off. that we are seeing is, we are seeing young voters who are extremely frustrated's, about what is happening from gas prices, to actually seeing the

republicans attack from voter suppression across the board. and so i do think that the tweet that you received today, that in capitalizes that. that at the end of the day, people are frustrated and frustration can actually lead to motivation. you know, i think the republicans as they always do, i think this time they went too far. that this was an election cycle, this is a bitter election that normally, normally they would be going in with an advantage. i think they are actually going in with a disadvantage. and young voters i think are, they are going to make the difference in the cell next election cycle where at the beginning i think of a new 40-year cycle, political cycle where you're gonna see younger voters, more informed, some of them are informed with the correct information because of social media platforms, some are getting information that is not correct. but they are more informed, which means that they are more engaged and i think they are going to be more engaged this election cycle. >> you know, i think tasha makes a good point because social media does pay such a big goal, such particular would come so young to constituents. which is why it is so

disheartening that so many members of the api community have not been contacted by other political party. the same can be said for latino voters, and certainly this extends to indigenous voters at, as well. and certainly black voters have our own collective issues. but, it is a frustrating process that i see. that there still seems to be this effort to censor white focuses, and a lot of conservative white voices even, the quite frankly have left the democratic party a long time ago. what do you make of aapi voters continue to be ignored by both parties? >> i, mean tiffany, i'm not surprised. i'm not. we did a poll, this was late in 2021 when that it was a little bit over two thirds of young asian american voters still had not been contacted by a political party, political campaign, a candidate, an organization, to get involved. and i think that we are starting to see a little bit of a shift here though. campaigns, donors, they need to recognize that asian american voters, they are not just in california, they are not just new york city. we are everywhere.

we are in the midwest, we are in southern states like here in texas, in north carolina, i mean we saw in georgia in 2020, again in 2021, where historical eight api turnip flip to congressional district from red to blue. in 2020. and, so i think we are seeing this unprecedented reports on anti asian violence, on hate crimes, members of our community strongly feel like our own existence is political. and i think the challenge here is that, with aapi, with asian american pacific islanders, as a voting electorate, i mean we may only be three, four, maybe 5% of the states voting electorate. but i promise you, all these numbers are gonna continue to grow. but that is where the difference in the win or the loss in november comes into play. yes. >> you make such a good point. races are often one of the margins, and so when you ignore those communities, not only are you invalidating those peoples importance in this country just as human beings, but as political operatives they are

voters. and this is something that they have to do better. you make a point about the api community, and aaron, one thing that i've noticed is that when people are running for office and look like, you can reflect your interest, voter participation increases. and people are more likely to pay attention. there is a record number of women running for office, women of color in particular. i didn't 67 black women, 95 latino, women 36 women from the api community. you just wrote a piece talking about what vice president harris is doing on the campaign trail the cycle. i'm curious what you see her rule being in midterms, and how impactful she might be considering that the administration has had some winds this morning, and she represents two constituencies, black voters as well as a p.i.. >> yeah, absolutely. tiffany, thanks so much for mentioning the piece. happy renaissance weekend, let me start by that. >> absolutely, erin. >> if anyone's watching, it happens when the mega millions

jackpot last night, my dms are wide. open but listen, vice president harris is emerging as a likely campaign surrogate. for whom, we don't exactly know yet. but she told me when i was with her out at battleground florida earlier this month that she does plan on traveling, and she talked about the importance of building the kinds of coalitions that were similar to the ones that delivered victories for democrats in 2020. the ones that linda was just alluding to, and that is going to mean drumming up enthusiasm, getting voters motivated to actually turn out. can they do that with 101 days left to go? i'm not sure. but i do think that it is notable that this is happening already this summer, and not after labor day. particularly for these key groups which is normally the case. and it is a sign that democrats realize that they need to value these voters much more for their input and not just their output. i also want to say, the big lies on the ballot in states across the country with

election deniers winning primaries in many states. but republicans are going to reject those voters. i mean those candidates in november. when the insurrection have an impact on what they decide to do at the ballot box? or will those hearings motivate democrats for example to show to defeat those republican candidates who are continuing to insist that the 2020 election was rigged by the overwhelming evidence that we know it was not? >> i think that is an important question because the gop, we have to stop separating the gop from right wing extremists. i mean, the party has more -- than one. soviet millions of voters showing up validating the big lie, and reelecting people who will continue to support trumpism, that will certainly be a problem. tasha, i want to take a listen. my amazing colleague jermaine lee, he was found in our collective neck of the woods. we, aaron, and it natasha all atlanta. folks remain was on warehouses campus talking young black men down there. and he asked them what issues mattered to them, take a listen to one person that he talked to in alaska better on the other side.

>> what issues matter most to you, let's start with you. >> for, me i definitely think about immigration and housing insecurity, especially when you look at a city like atlanta that has so many homeless people until many people moving into the city but there is not enough affordable homes. >> i agree, wholeheartedly. for me, the biggest thing that is on my mind is roe v. wade and how it has been recently overturned and how that comes to affect future generations as well as wrongly imprisoned and mass incarceration. >> yeah, absolutely. so minute my major policy issues on this upcoming election cycle would be health care and criminal justice. reform >> that's atlantic university, there but you see natasha that these young voters are engaged, they know it is happening. i'm curious your thoughts because there are some people who, and i also wanna say vice president harris has made black voters a center focal point of hers. erin points out in her piece that she spoke at the ballet, with about the aka, as the naacp conference, and sauté

letting it ever city center these young voters are paying attention. however, there are some chances in atlanta with safety abrams kind of falling behind brian kemp and senator ralph warnock pulling ahead, slightly ahead of herschel walker. what do you make of that divide, especially when it comes to younger voters? >> you know, i think that part of what we are going to have to see, and i'm glad that one of the voters brought it up, was around criminal justice reform. i do have a lesson around what i think is the appeal for the democrats. quite frankly, i think that the democrats keep the senate there is going to be a tough uphill battle with the house. but let me tell you what i think the poison field, the poison field is gonna be centered on criminal justice reform. we are actually seeing democrats lead on this crime bill which is basically a crime bill of 1994 crime bill two point oh. that is literally suggesting that there is a triple, the dccc amount of money for a billion dollars for police. police investments, when we saw the largest uprising ever in the history of this country, in

the george floyd uprising that was propelled and led by young people, they expect when we are talking to young folks across the board we are going to see that everywhere. across the board, those are consistent issues. economic security, criminal justice reform, and really how we are gonna deal with housing that it rising cost of living. those are going to be critical issues. i believe in the state of georgia, what you are going to see is you're gonna see this coalition. i think that -- has shown. that her coalition, she has the ability to appeal to young voters at a much much greater rate than brian kemp. and that she has an agenda that supports that. so i do think that young voters are going to make the difference, not only in georgia, but throughout the nation. but i also think that the democrats had to be very careful that they are speaking to the issues of young people, they are not jumping on this bandwagon as they always do to abandon the base so that they could solidify white voters who have not shown up for them for 25. years >> absolutely. and lynn, there are some key senate races. i'm certainly watching what is gonna happen in florida with congresswoman val demings

squaring off with marco rubio, who is essentially a trump acolyte. get terrell beasley in north carolina. and when it comes to diversity in the senate, what is your prediction? will the democrats keep the house in the senate, will we see some more diversity in the senate, what's a? you >> i gotta be hopeful, tiffany. i gotta think it will see some more diversity. but i gotta say, especially with a candidate like val demings, we've everybody's gonna be watching how she is campaigning on the ground. i mean, we talk specifically with young voters. they are doing everything that i think is correct. they have a young team that is leading a lot of their efforts. they are allowing the narrative and storytelling to be top priority in the campaign. and i think specifically with young voters, in a state like florida, they don't want to hear anymore theory. they don't hear anymore plans. if you're asking for their vote, you're asking for the donation, you they need to hear a clear plan. and i really do believe that in these key senate races we are starting to see a lot of that. and again, going back to young voters, they want to see

accountability. their sense of civic duty is so much more than just casting their ballot in november. they want to see accountability, and they want to see these politicians, these candidates, keeping their promises. >> yeah, erin weir out of time so quick yes or no from. you will we see a black woman in the senate this? well >> i think that is absolutely going to depend on whether these coalitions are able to elect them. but there's certainly no shortage of candidates on the ballot this november who are qualified to possibly make that happen. yeah. >> all right, we'll keep our eyes on. it so thank you so much, lynn win for being here and to natasha bratton errin haines. happy renaissance weekend, all three of you ladies, and we will be right back after this break. because coming up on monday, steve kornacki returns to the big board to break down the key senate and governor races this midterms even. everybody loves steve kornacki on that big board, so much decision 20 to count on two midterms. that is monday, at 10 pm eastern, only right here on msnbc. and, coming up, more missing texan generates about

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is addressing some executive time with the saudis. he may be wanting to pay attention to what's happening around him. this week the washington post reported more missing text messages. this time from two homeland security officials who are directly for trump. this is after we learned from mixing tests from the secret service. now with the department of justice finally asking sums specifics questions about trump's action, will this reality tv star, whose first job in government was president of the united states have some responsibility? joining me now, author of allow me to retort, elie, my brother,

i'm so happy to hear. i really need to know, will we ever see trump held accountable for all the things that have come out in the january 6th hearings? >> look, i'm willing to believe intelligence so trump has some place to go in the next life to be held accountable. in this life, it's still up in the air. i do think the january 6th committee deserves a round of applause. they've done a great job. the reason why we know they've done a great job is twofold. one, we see a jolt of action from the justice department. i said on the show, i said another shows, before the hearing started, that the hearings had an audience of one. and that one person was merrick garland. i think that we've seen with his actions, during and after the hearings, is that he understands, now, that the public knows that trump has committed various crimes. and the public will not accept giving trump a pass. and so we see not just a --

a new level of action from the doj, but a new level of trying to explain with the actions are to people so they have some confidence the doj is an asleep at the wheel. denver six, great job on that. the other way we know it's been extremely effective is that all these little credence, have spent 18 months trying to not hear a phone call, tried to avoid subpoenas, try to pretend like the investigation wasn't happening, all of a sudden they want to show up and have it talk, right? they want to show up to the deposition. had cipollone, 18 months this guy's been out here trying to not say what he knows about the election fraud, now all of a sudden he can talk to the committee. and we have a bunch of other people following his lead, and we have the justice department, now, going after pence -- pence's aides. it's all starting to come together. let's hope there's still time before the 2024 election to make it all happen.

but if you're a fan of justice, if you're a fan of accountability, you have to say that things are moving, finally, in the right direction. >> yeah, i agree elliott, i want you to take a listen, because my colleague, lester holt, set down with merrick garland in a very interesting interview and asked merrick garland went impacts it might have when donald trump announces -- so take a listen. >> if donald trump were to become a candidate for president again, that would not change your schedule or how you move forward, or don't move forward? >> saying again, we will hold accountable anyone who is criminally responsible for attempting to interfere with the transfer, legitimate lawful transfer of power from one administration to the next. >> what do you make of this response? we've never seen a former president arrested, really held accountable for this level of atrocity. i'm curious what you make of

merrick garland's response. i have to say i'm a little baffled that this dude could even think to run for president, after -- not just january six, even after being investigated at the local level in georgia, and new york. your thoughts? >> the fact that you're running for president does not inculcate you legally from criminal prosecution. that's not in the constitution. just because you're running for office, doesn't mean you can be prosecuted for crime. just because you're holding office, doesn't mean you can be prosecuted for crime. you can run for president in jail. you can be in jail while you're the president. the constitution does not protect the person that holds article two, presidency powers, from criminal prosecution for crimes. the only reason why you wouldn't prosecute a candidate for office for his crimes is because you, the attorney general, was being political, right? if you let politics get in the

way of the law and the facts, then you start to wonder, if you should bring charges against the person running for president. now merrick garland is saying that he will not be politically influenced by that is a good sign. he needs to say it. a couple weeks ago, on the medicine, i believe, they broke that memo that garland put out before the january six committee hearings. suggesting that there might be more wiggle room if you're running for office. so we need to go out and make that statement, but there is good to know that merrick garland is saying he will not let politics influence his charging decisions, because at this point, the only reason not to charge trump, it is for political reasons. it's not for legal reasons. the law and the facts are against trump. that's been made obvious to the american people thanks to the select committee on january 6th. >> indeed, we'll -- reportedly set a warning if he does announce, they will start -- they will stop paying his legal

bill. thanks so much for being with me, you will come back with me later in the show. coming up, wnba griner, and another american, we'll, in may finally be coming home. but it could be potentially delayed, coming up after the break. after the break. ow, ow ♪ ♪ with a big, fresh carrot ♪ ♪ and a whole lot of cheese ♪ ♪ and the mirror from your van is halfway down the street ♪ ♪ well, you can say that -- ♪ wait, what? i said, "someone just clipped the side view mirror right off the delivery van." when owning a small business gets real, progressive gets you right back to living the dream. now, where were we? why, you were fixin' to peel me. [ laughter ] [whistling] when you have technology that's easier to control...

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and paul whelan might finally have a path home. during a phone call yesterday with russia's foreign minister, anthony blinken said that he pressed the kremlin to accept a substantial proposal for the two americans release. sources tell nbc news that the substantial proposal is a prisoner swap involving a russians armed stealer. rush also wanted the release of a russian national convicted of murder who's being held in germany. but the u.s. dismissed that offer is not serious. so really, what does all this mean for efforts to bring brittany and paul home? joining me now is david whelan,

train twin brother of paul will end. and i own the hawk senior part advisor state department. pfizer thank you both for being with, us this must be a very trying time for you. i want to start up with you, when you think of matt rolfe whose book what do you think of him suggesting that they returned to quiet diplomacy? >> i think lavrov is trying to buy some more time to do putin's bidding. here at the only reason britney griner is in prison right now is because russia invaded ukraine. brittani, who has been playing in russia for more than ten years, suddenly became a political target. she did something in carrying some, potentially carrying. >> accused, because she doesn't remember packing that. airbag >> and even if she did have, that the amount of thc that she had is less than what people in russia have, and only serve a maximum two months. so she has already served more time than what is criminally recognized within russia. so it is a political arrest, and putin is going to get what you can out of it.

including a guilty plea from her, and potentially an arms deal or an exchange that will help him and his global ambitions. >> which is very scary. david, i'm just curious, have you spoken to paul since we last talked? we had you on it a few weeks ago. has there been any contact between your family and your brother? >> yes, he is able to speak to our parents pretty much every day. and the day after, secretary blinken's announcement he let our parents know that he had seen it on russian television that they were covering it just as well. on the president translated for what was going on. >> how is he doing, how are his, spirits and is he hopeful right? now >> i think he, like us is cautiously optimistic. it is obviously nice to see the u.s. government not only talk about paul's case being a priority, but also, announcing that it has taken action. but, it takes a long time to get to that first offer and i think there are many months yet to come to see if the russians actually will come to the table and -- . >> yeah, indeed. my colleague here and i are

hawk as a question for you, as. well >> i'm curious. is it helping or hurting your brother's case to have all of this attention of britney griner? >> well, i think it is helping. it is helping for the morale of paul supporters, griner supporters and advocates have been huge boost. because they have been very gracious in including hall in conversations about was gunners released. so i think that has been very helpful. and how he can say that is complicated. each of these cases are gonna be resolved individually. and maybe that paul in get home together. due to the substantial offer but we are also prepared for just to happen in april that poll may be left behind again. so we are grateful for the awareness that is happening in paul's case and also 50 other americans that are being held around the world. >> 50 other americans, held around the. world >> naira, what is your opinion having worked for the state department lavrov previously. how the state department has

handled. this there have been political hostages, there have been u.s. hostages, a variety of circumstances, whether it's syria or afghanistan. what we've seen though is that many of those individuals who were working in the country, potentially with previous military or security connections, brittney griner is a little different. she was a celebrity in russia as well. very high profile. and we know the reason that she wasn't russia was because she was not able to make equal pay here in the united states. that nba stars would make. that points to the disparity in american life in a way that we typically don't see it when it comes to wartime hostages. it's terrifying. there is a case -- a potential case where we see the u.s. government negotiating with russia in this capacity. does this put americans at risk around the globe. does it signal to other hostile nations is all i have to do is drive up some charges against

an american and then the u.s. will have to negotiate with me for things that i want. how does this impact us saw? what are your thoughts? >> -- it's concerning their reasons why the state department puts out notices of do not travel to these places, don't travel to russia don't think you will go into afghanistan and change the world. you will be at risk. with that said, other countries are issuing warnings about coming to the united states because of our gun control problem. we have our challenges that make other countries where. >> david, i asked you this the last time you hear, and i'm just curious if you could speak to your brother, it's a miracle he was able to see this segment with you here -- if you could, what words would you have your brother? >> continue to hold on. this is the most promising activity we've seen in polls case. we may be coming to an end. he has to continue to use his survival techniques to make it

through. >> based on your knowledge of this russian regime, how do you think that paul and brittani are being treated right now. are there differences about how they treat male prisoners and female prisoners? we saw britney, she seems to be in good spirits despite the circumstances. i want to play a quick soundbite from her while she was in court, talking about how to use google translate. let's take a listen. >> we had to use my phone angle translate for him to be able to tell me a little bit. there is a lady that they said was an interpreter, but it was more just her telling the surname, sign, really sharp words. she didn't explain the content of the paper. i don't know exactly whatever signing. no, my rights were never read

to me. no one explained any of it to me. >> sad, and scary. >> very much so, this is why the attention matters. because all of this, now, is something that russia is being aware is watched closely by the united states. i hope that other prisoners are getting the same kind of counselor attention and access. i would say that the russians are very aware of diplomacy and how to play the international -- as well -- to hurt u.s. citizens and torture them in the past. we hope that russia's desire to be an equal player and recognize on the world stage will force them to treat american prisoners better. >> and all prisoners, to your point. thank you so much. david, i want to say to you will keep your family in your thoughts and prayers, as we do britney griner, and you are welcome on the show, thank you for making yourself available on a saturday morning,.

thank you nayyera and david for being here. coming up later on the cross connection. emotionally moving -- for the next installment of black panther has everyone talking. but first the battle of stolen artifacts from the horrific massacre at wounded knee. we'll talk about that after a quick break. stay with us. stay with us so, you're 45. that's the perfect age to see some old friends, explore new worlds, and to start screening for colon cancer. yep. with colon cancer rising in adults under 50, the american cancer society recommends starting to screen earlier, at age 45. i'm cologuard, a noninvasive way to screen at home, on your schedule. and i find 92% of colon cancers. i'm for people 45+ at average risk for colon cancer, not high risk. false positive and negative results may occur. ask your provider if cologuard is right for you.

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genocide and oppression, emergency you're ancestors

stolen buying sit in a museum. you're told you can't have them, you can't touch them, or even photograph them. well this is exactly what the indigenous descendants of the 1890 wounded knee massacre say they're experiencing with a museum outside boston. despite these efforts, to have the stolen items returned, and the museums promises that they will be returned, the descendants are still fighting. we did reach out to the museum, but they have yet to respond. so, joining me now -- iron hawk of the hawk -- very happy to have you with me manny. how did they end up in the museum all the way in boston? >> i believe they were collected after the massacre. individuals were hired to clean up the mask or area. that's where they began taking

items. and as a consequence of these items were changing hands, they were being sold or traded, or whatever. most of these items, you mentioned, the museum has -- that belongs to them, from the massacre. >> i have to tell you, i was reading in the washington post about your ordeal. it's incredibly insulting how the museum spoke to you. they wanted to know if your family would sell them for profit if they will return to you. they want to ask if -- they return to you. it's the end of their business. but we do with the money? it's none of their business. what was the museums last interaction with you? are they committed to giving it back? and what's the holdup? >> there's still prolonging the effort for the return.

the latest is of -- their of the items, now. but the museum still prolonging the effort for the return. other than that, we need those items back as soon as possible. >> yeah, and i do want to point out that, unfortunately, this story is not unique. the items in the museum are among the 780,000 burial items in possession -- by native americans held in museums across the country. that was as of september 2021, according to a report in congress. which is quite shameful. if someone from the museum is listening, what would you like to say to them? >> i'd like to say to them that you need to speed up the process as soon as possible for

the return of the items that were taken illegally. they belong to our relatives that have died on december 29th, 1890 massacre. >> i believe we might be seeing a picture of your great grandmother on the screen. i think you have a photograph of you with her. we would like to see and pay homage to her. >> okay. >> hold it back a little bit, old it next year face? there you go. we see it. she's a beautiful woman. these are her artifacts that you're trying to get back. and the museum has the temerity to question you about it and slow the process. i'm sorry that's e pope was her- recently, he apologized to indigenous people for the native indigenous children in canada, this happened in

america as well, but this was in canada, we were essentially kidnapped, abused, and murdered. the pope apologized. is that enough for you? what do you make of that? >> no, that's not enough. a lot of our indigenous leaders are not in favor of with the pope did. the pope needs to do more. specifically, to revoke the purple bills that were signed back in 14 90 which. the papal pulls we are to conquer land, take land from the heathens and convert them to christiana t and that is what the supreme court base their decisions on, to take

land from indigenous people. the legal binding status -- so that needs also to be revoked by the pope as soon as possible. >> well we'll certainly keep our eye on this. keep teach in touch on our show, and let us know if the museum does return your rightful buying to you and your family after the indigenous folks have survived so much. also in the coming weeks we'll be talking about the struggle with the friedman's and some of the black indigenous, we were part of the native american community as well. always good to elevate and highlight these issues. mr. manny iron hawk, thank you very much for being here. and coming up, we'll come back to georgia, one of the hottest races. but first the former trump loyalist could be the newest

host on the view. but i see who she really is, and i have some thoughts. that's coming up next. that's coming up next. i'm jonathan lawson here to tell you about life insurance through the colonial penn program. if you're age 50 to 85, and looking to buy life insurance on a fixed budget, remember the three ps. what are the three ps? the three ps of life insurance on a fixed budget are price, price, and price. a price you can afford, a price that can't increase, and a price that fits your budget. i'm 54, what's my price?

you can get coverage for $9.95 a month. i'm 65 and take medications. what's my price? also $9.95 a month. i just turned 80, what's my price? $9.95 a month for you too. if you're age 50 to 85, call now about the #1 most popular whole life insurance plan available through the colonial penn program. it has an affordable rate starting at $9.95 a month. no medical exam, no health questions. your acceptance is guaranteed. and this plan has a guaranteed lifetime rate lock so your rate can never go up for any reason. so call now for free information and you'll also get this free beneficiary planner. and it's yours free just for calling. so call now for free information. okay, i have to say, watching

the january 6th followed happen in realtime, i honestly sit back and shake my head in on and frequently say out loud, y'all are a trip. it's not even simply the violent insurrectionists, it's the famed pearl clutching by people who are more outraged by january 6th and we were at trump's indifference to black and brown life. his a raiders policies that endangered us all. did you really think that the dude who said when the looting starts, the shooting starts, wasn't going to encourage violence? we did. we saw. it's the people who've been part of this nonsense for years and decades, for me. it's the people who voted for him. the campaign staff, the policy makers, the media enablers. you know exactly who you are. now remember in 2016, after many, many members of the news media helped usher in this

lunatic to the white house, to take away -- the take away from many was, guys, we in the news didn't pay attention to racist white people. that's where we got the ridiculous terms like white economic anxiety. and a bunch of white midwesterners in coffee shops that never saw folks that look at like us right here. then there was all the deep dives in trump country, and profiles of trump supporters. well, here's the update. they appear to be doing the same thing again. variety reported this week that former trump aide, alyssa farah griffin, will be the latest to join abc's the view. abc has not made a formal announcement. let's please not forget that this trump loyalist quickly morphed into an opportunist after voluntarily taking jobs with the trump administration. knowing full well with trump represented. she rode his wave of open xenophobia and racism all the way to network television.

according to vanity fair, she admits that she had a few steps of the trump kool-aid every now and then. you guzzled down that kool-aid like it was the bleacher bottle trump said cured coronavirus. she wrote for a right-wing conspiracy website founded by her father. she supported mike meadows and jim jordan, when they worked on capitol hill. she defended trump when he asked the proud boys to stand back and stand by. and she's an election denier. sure, she came out and denounced the attack on the capitol, but ain't anyone impressed with it. that was a convenient thing to do. so as we watch these people who think a famed apology is accountability. garrett roared with tv deals, but deals, and stints with dancing on the stars like you see there, it is so clear to us that we in the media are still trying to normalize these folks. why? they would say we must not forget about viewers and midwestern, slash, flyover

states that feel differently from us. yet, i actually agree with that. i'm all for it let's focus on viewers in cleveland, and chicago, and detroit, and st. louis. as we see younger, more diverse audiences have begun to rely on social media for news and information. we've seen how problematic that can be. we also wonder why so many gatekeepers actively ignore a growing influential market which drives culture and conversation, by catering to the smaller sector of society because they're uncomfortable talking about race. they feel -- their feelings always mattered more than truth, history, and facts. but not here on the press connection. because here, we know that as awful as rational people thought trump was on january six -- was just as awful on january 5th. and so where the people that were with him. every last one of them. but that's just my view.

and maybe it's yours too. coming up on the next hour. queen bee, she shows up in the culture every now. she drops a new track. and my panel has thoughts for her seventh studio album. plus oh check in with tony, granby, and emmy award winning actor -- he gives me life, this and much more is all coming up on the cross connection. plus we have to talk about that preacher, the robbery, and the claims that he's made. false accusations. a lot coming up on a jam-packed second hour. keep your right here. r right here

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cross connection, everyone i'm tiffany cross. tomorrow marks 100 days to the midterm elections, and young voters will be critical. the threat to abortion rights will turn people out to vote? but the new washington post poll reveals that only one in three women under 40 are sure they will cast a ballot amid the rollback of voting rights. what will drive younger voters to the polls? joining me to discuss is najla simone, -- a coauthor of the forthcoming book, my superhero is black, and -- back with us, she's a comedian and producer for comedy special. -- and currently on netflix. be sure to check that out.

i want to kick this off with you, najla, one thing i was curious about. it is wet are you and your friends talking about in the group chats. are you talking about policy? midterms? are you outraged about things happening? or are you just hang out amongst yourselves? frustrated with government, and apathetic to the process? give me the real deal. give me your truthful answer. what's going down in the group chat when it comes to midterms and young folks? >> i want to be honest. prior to our abortion rights being taken away, conversation was added -- at an all-time low when it comes to politics -- we usually only focus on who's running for president, not necessarily the smaller type elections. but since then, they've taken away our abortion rights, it's been an uproar, not to mention we've been unhappy -- different aspects -- not just women's rights,

obviously black lives, and our economy, where we're headed. trying to find jobs, definitely, i think, we've been woke, as far as politics, lately. >> that's a really good point that nyla, made, i appreciate that honesty and transparency. if you don't feel like you're life is being tangibly touched, even though that may not be true, sometimes the administration has great accomplishments that do impact young people, maybe not tomorrow, but it creates a better life in the long term, not everybody is plugged into that. i'm just curious your thoughts, and yes i hear the dog has thoughts as well. but curious on your thoughts, with this means -- as younger people are getting more engaged? maybe some people aren't disengaged, maybe the canine vote is equally frustrated? >> i'm just saying, the golden doodle vote is clearly here,

participating. i think it's interesting because you make a good point. folks are not seeing the direct impact of what's happening right now and what's happening to their wallets. what's happening is their ability to get property and the ability to have a living wage. as many press releases, and as many very complicated processes that the president is doing to shift what's happening at the 64,000 foot level, that is not having an immediate direct impact. a lot of times what folks are saying is that they still have to look at what is there every day impact on the state and local level, and those things are becoming very blurred. that leads to the apathy. because that state and local level -- that has, i don't want to say, either party, but a lot of parties have focus very

strongly on the state and local level, and it dilutes the impact every single day. there is good reason for the apathy, and a lot of ways, if you don't see your life change in a very immediate way. it usually takes about a year before the impacts of the last presidential administration starts trickling off. >> i would agree, you make a good point, about the state and local level politics. a lot of the crappy policies were seen, around abortion, the come from these state level, they come from the state legislatures, many of which are controlled by the republican party. so, cristela, i believe here in california, and in california, it's a hard-core blue state. there's a lot of local issues there, but california typically goes blue, with some exceptions in orange county that's more conservative. but i'm curious in the entertainment community, how -- we have a few people, a few

validators who come out, and speak out on political issues. but i have to say, i've been at dinners when people don't know who kamala harris was, and she was running for president when i was in l.a.. elliott such a different space. from that wing of the party, so much of us are caught up in talking to each other. when you expand out to that wing of the population, are people motivated, whether they're talking about? >> look, i live in l.a., but i'm from texas. so, i know that personally i'm very affected by this. i just want to make a clear point and say, when we talk about abortion rights, when i think about in november's -- out there for women. we forget that abortion, the process itself is a form of health care for women. when you you start putting that on the table, and taking it away, it makes you wonder what else could be taken away? we specify the certain

procedure, and say it's abortion, but it's really about women's health, because now we've gone into contraception, can we, should we, what is going on? it's the trickle down effect. i can tell you in l.a., a lot of my friends are very angry, and very vocal, and we're harnessing what we can do. but also, there's this line that a lot of people in the entertainment industry, sometimes they feel like they don't to cross it because they don't want to anger people. my opinion is, you have to you. that's how you make change. my mom used to say, when people were me to her. she would say, i've been heeded by better people, and that's how you deal. the whole thing is being honest with what you want to do, and the people who are supportive of women being seen, and not only women, anyone that can be pregnant, any person that can get pregnant, any person -- if they can't see us as equals,

then we need to say something. because that affects not only as, but the future generations. because right now, we're in trouble. i think that right now whoever has a voice, has to use it to amplify it. that's what we need to do. >> i want to hone in on something he said, because, i have talked to people in the entertainment industry pretty frequently. as a comedian, are the things that you don't touch in committee because you don't want to alienate certain people, or you stay away from political issues, or is it just no holds barred, and you go for it? >> i personally go for it, that i always say there's a way to do it. there's a way to do it to where you actually can educate people by entertaining them. i always say, if you don't like it, on social media, if you don't like it, and follow me. someone else can take your place. you know i mean? it's not like you can't hold certain people's opinions to

this high regard where we don't want to be honest about what we think and what we feel, because, especially in stand up, for me standup is the place to be honest and talk about things that a lot of other people can't, or don't have access to do it, in regards to the number of people in the audience. for me, it's a choice for everybody -- do you want to do it, do not want to do? it for me, personally, i like to do it. i love to do it. because at the end of the day, i know that i did it. if i don't, then i don't know if it'll get done. >> nyla i want to come back to you, because you said abortion rights, that's what made you need friends start to pay attention more. i want you to take a listen, there's a lot of political ads centering on abortion rights right now. take a listen to this, and then we'll talk about it on the other side. >> who is dug mastriano, and at the speak for you? he wants to outlaw and criminalize all abortions. >> my body my choice is ridiculous nonsense. tyler chris near says he's 100

percent pro-life and supports allowing the government to criminalize abortion. no exceptions. the supreme court's decision to overturn roe v. wade, it's the result of a coordinated republican attack on abortion. your rights are on the ballot in november. make your voice heard. >> so, nyla, this is been a huge issue across the country. there is a gentleman running in wisconsin, who's been pulling ahead of his primary opponents because of this issue. i'm curious, in addition to abortion, which are the other issues that motivate you and your friends? somebody tweeted earlier, it's not about enthusiasm, it's about motivation. if you're saying your group, your friendship circle, paid attention when something was taken away from you, when rates were taken away, but prior to that, voting rights were taken away, prior to that there is station violence, so i'm curious whether the issues to motivate you and your friends

to get involved and stand on the front lines of democracy, to help organize, contribute 50 bucks, or during, of what would be that thing? >> honestly i do hate the fact that it took the fact that something is drastic as abortion rights taken away to get involved, but i feel like it's so hard to keep up with going on in the world, from your personal life, down to everything that's going on in the world. even before the pandemic, i remember, the most crucial thing was how can i move to canada? everybody wanted to move out of america. especially with the height of black on black crime going on in america. honestly, i'm not sure wet can next help motivate. but i do think that seeing ads like that keep the fuel running, because how can a man say it is a woman's right, if he doesn't have a china himself. i don't take well to anyone, especially someone who hasn't

experience something like abortion, giving advice on anything like that. i think at this point in my life, 27, i just turned 27, and at a place where i respect my elders, but at the same time if you're not showing respect, especially as an older white man who's never been in the experience of a black woman, i can't respected. seeing ads like that, if this is how the election is gonna be, i think we're going to be firing for. while >> it's impactful. when i come back from the, break i'm going to ask where are you seeing these ads? lot of people aren't seeing linear television. how can we reach folks? to go anywhere, my panel is sticking around. we have to talk about pella politics, but we also have to talk about beyoncé, we're gonna break down queen bees summer delivery, renaissance, that's coming up as well. stay with us

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$9.95 a month for you too. if you're age 50 to 85, call now about the #1 most popular whole life insurance plan available through the colonial penn program. it has an affordable rate starting at $9.95 a month. no medical exam, no health questions. your acceptance is guaranteed. and this plan has a guaranteed lifetime rate lock so your rate can never go up for any reason. so call now for free information and you'll also get this free beneficiary planner. and it's yours free just for calling. so call now for free information. this is john. he hasn't worked this hard to only get this far with his cholesterol. taken with a statin, leqvio can lower bad cholesterol and keep it low with two doses a year.

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with me and i want to get a

quick discussion going about where people are seeing these political ads, and how you are in gauging politically? angelique i want to pick it up with you. -- she saw ads like that -- but again people aren't watching linear television, as much. they do watch the cross connection, but not as much on the rest of the networks. so, what do you say, what is your advice to candidates? you worked on capitol hill, angelique, what's your advice to candidates in terms of reaching this new younger electorate. more diverse electorate, because they still seems to be this effort to, you know, let's whisper to the rising majority, to the people of color, but allowed to -- let say out loud to conservative white people what we might do to them. what's your advice preet 2016? >> it's interesting because the playbook is old. it was a campaign -- i was a campaign manager, as

well. it's been something that folks have been dealing with. calling it new media, where does it look like to reach people on twitter, on facebook, which became a very controversial issue. very problematic, extremely problematic. what we've been seeing is folks trying to do the digital reach. you mentioned as well, folks that go out into the community with the entertainment folks who are surrogates. these ambassadors that go into the community and utilize their particular sway. their particular audience and this is something we saw with civics for the culture. that was something that came out for fair fight. what it means to get these celebrities. these folks with gravitas to reach out to the younger folks. it comes with a good amount of impact because they become the spokesperson. they become the person who is

bringing that particular message to folks. they become the trusted messenger. that's something, the answer great. it's great for linear tv. i'll be honest, it's good for the older generation. folks who are still watching tv every single day. who are watching the major channels. but i will say, it's not as effective, anymore. a lot is going to shift to youtube. it's going to shift to -- >> social media, youtube, right -- >> it's going to shift to trusted messenger videos. >> i want to say, celebrities do not always equate votes. there are local community validators who can reach people, a lot better. i don't care, i love john legend, but i don't necessarily need john legend to tell me how to vote. i respect the mother, you can sing to me all day. but i'm not looking to his political -- i just wanna point that out as well. >> i'm gonna come to you,

cristela, on this one, we do like the democratic response, after the state of the union, when we have these canned political messages. i said they should start producing those things like it was a black panther trailer. jim it up, given some music, given some feel. which brings us to our next topic. the black panther trailer has given me my whole life. i want to play a little bit of it because to show -- you it is everything. take a look at it, and we'll talk about it on the other side. ♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ i was so touched by this trailer. cristela, i want to play quickly for you a soundbite. a lot of people in the latino community had a strong reaction to the trailer. it brought tears to my eyes. take a look. >> i have something to say about black panther to that no one else has said. from the latino community, i want to say thank you, you guys didn't have to do it you. did you guys finally have your own franchise. a movie that everyone collectively loves. and the first thing you do with the sequel, is bring my people in. y'all didn't need to do that. now have shady latinos have it in hollywood.

because you've been there, and when you guys finally made it, you didn't close that door. you look to the latino community and said there is room for you to. thank you for this, you have no idea what it means to the community. thank, you thank you, thank you. >> in solidarity, always, there is strength in numbers -- cristela, your reaction to the black panther trailer. >> i couldn't agree more. but it's also because, the thing that i got from the trailer, immediately, was culture. that's something that separates this movie from all the other marbles, and everything, the culture. there's just something so -- and coming from a community that has a culture to, in a different way, -- but that scene there. the white scene. that's something that feels organic and real. it's not contrived. that makes you feel like you're getting a glimpse of actual life.

that's what's spoke so much to me. exactly what he was saying. i come from a family. my family's from mexico. we are indigenous people. let me tell you, we do not get that representation in movies, and stories, like we should. this shows who that -- with black panther is trying to do, is accurately show life the way that it is. but actually show such a glorious story, i got so he moved by it, and emotional from it, that i can't wait to see it. >> yes, i know, i'm so excited. we're running out of time. i want to talk about black panther more, but i have to get in queen bey because renaissance dropped. nyla, i know you're up on the latest with oh. this church girl is officially my theme son. drop it, drop it, drop it is my dish. but i want to ask you, because police has a little bit of a

beef. she thought the bee should've reached out to her. she was not quite about it. this amazing -- dj jimmy, you're quick thoughts before we have to go. >> i'm a big fan of police, but i do feel it was unnecessary for her to take to instagram, she could've just said, beyoncé's beyoncé. i'm sure she probably thought her team handled on the business -- the business stuff on the back end. she probably just wants to focus on the art. but, regardless of the drama around it, beyoncé's album, i think it's perfect timing, especially for what we're going through right now in the country as women. i like the messaging, the content, and that girl. just positive affirmations for us. so shout out to beyoncé, renaissance is amazing. the renaissance that she's talking about is women power. >> right, exactly, renaissance, drop it like you came about, the south girl, i love it. thank you so much, we're

running out of time. angelique, i think you have something to say really quickly about black panther and beyoncé. >> i want black panther -- i already have the brand-new poster that's up. i'm ready. both we've talked about, putting women to the forefront, empowering women, for me beyoncé's album, just like the black panther trailer, is literally an anthem for impairment, for the diversity of women, for empowering all women of all shades, and all sides -- sizes, and all backgrounds, because after i saw that, i absolutely hear you on bringing in indigenous cultures, but i listen to beyoncé's album three or four times at this point. she's made some amazing albums, but she's never made an where i can literally say everyone can find their own anthem in this album. it's amazing. >> you guys are too good, we have too much to say, and not a lot of time. i have to do a quick wrap.

thank you guys so much, najla, angelique, and krystal, that this is an amazing panel. a quick programming note, actress -- host a dinner party with gloria estefan, with -- and more, plus an exclusive interview with rosie perez, you can watch the culture is latina next and day, august 7th, at 10 pm eastern. -- joy reid and i -- the culture is latina, that will air next sunday. you don't wanna miss it. christine is gonna be amazing. coming up, georgia's hot civic race. they want to debate a running back. i wonder what that's going to be like. stay with us. i wonder [whistling]

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limited plan, for just $30. (daughter) i've already told everyone! (nurse) wait... did you say verizon for just $30? (mom) it's their best unlimited price ever. (cool guy) $30...that's awesome. (dad) yeah, and it's from the most reliable 5g network in america. (woman) for $30 a line, i'm switching now. (mom) yeah, it's easy and you get $960 when you switch the whole family. (geek) wow... i've got to let my buddies know. (geek friend) we're already here! (vo) the network you want. the price you love. only from verizon. well it seems that herschel walker is dodging debates like he's dodging the new york giants offense. and his democratic opponent is calling him out. >> herschel walker likes to

talk tough. >> i'm ready for senator warnock when he's ready he calls the time, he makes the, place i'm ready to go. >> but the truth? >> raphael warnock has accepted three invitations to debate his opponent, herschel walker. >> yet herschel walker still refuses to agree to any debates. >> beyond walkers incoherent statements, blatant hypocrisy and passed allegations of domestic abuse, this trump backed candidate, also republican backed candidate, has pushed some of the gop's greatest hits, the bogeyman -- fearmongering -- and the bizarre anti-science claims that are too foolish and too stupid to regurgitate. here -- it's really unclear if they will ever get to hear him defend his so-called agenda on the debate floor. back with me is -- a correspondent at the nations and author of the new york times bestselling's book allow

me to retort. my beloved georgia, what are folks doing out? their house is still a toss-up? the poll by the atlanta journal-constitution released wednesday indicates warnock topping walker 46% to 43%. -- make it makes sense for me. >> first of, all i just want to thank the gop for nominating a running back from dallas to run in georgia and a tv doctor from new jersey to run in pennsylvania. thank you guys. but, it's going to be a close election in georgia because walker is, has the backing of the republicans. why are republicans backing the smell who so clearly unintelligent, who so clearly doesn't have independent thoughts, but that's actually the reason, walker is gonna do what he's told and that is what republicans like. that's what republicans want from their negroes.

to do what they were told. and walker presents exactly as a person who lacks independent thoughts, backs it independent agenda, lacks and independent ability to grasp policies, and he's just gonna go in there and vote like mitch mcconnell tells them to vote. remember, this has worked for the gop in the south already. tommy tougher ville, who right now is probably the dumbest person in the united states. all he does is does what mitch mcconnell and tells them to do. the gop likes these candidates that aren't able to think for themselves because that means that it's just gonna mean that mitch mcconnell gets three votes every time it shows up to work as opposed to just his own. >> but we have to remember that -- willis is down there running her investigation into the trump campaign. this is trump's efforts to overturn the election in georgia, to find 11,000 votes. this is a trump backed candidate. do you think that will have any

impact? the fact that we have a monte clearly breaking the law, donald trump, will have any impact on the race at all? >> attention not focus on what gop voters are gonna do. they have already proven that they are willing to vote for white supremacy, they're willing to vote for stupidity, they're willing to vote for insurrection. so i'm not concerned with the gop is gonna do. i'm concerned with the democrats are gonna do. >> let me ask you about what the democrats will do that. warnock is polling slightly ahead of herschel walker, yet stacey abrams is polling slightly behind brian kemp. explain that to me. because this includes democratic voters. and also democrat bee nguyen who isn't the secretary of state against brad robson burger, that includes -- now make that make sense. >> both of those candidates are

women right? we just have to confront the sexism straight on. when we look at white women in georgia, we see tickets splitting. when we look at black men in georgia, we see tickets splitting. more tickets flitting than we see other democratic. why is? that because they're women running. we have to confront that head on. and the way to confront that head on, you mentioned this earlier with natasha brown, is to focus on the younger voters, because you don't see this problem with younger voters. when you look at the pull outs of the polling that shows warnock and abrams running in these races against abrams problem with -- her problems are with older voters. it's the older voters where the sexism is a little bit more ingrained. when you look at the younger voters, she's outperforming warnock with certain segments of younger voters. if we can get younger people inspired and to the polls and understand that their voice not

only counts, but can be decisive in these elections, that's how we close that sexism cap that we are seeing opened up in georgia. >> that's a really good point. it's a really disappointing to hear the ticket splitting a mom black man. and white women outpaced white men in voting for brian kemp last cycle. i'm curious to see with this looks like this cycle given abortion rights. what's your prediction? are you our area are gonna see a warnock walker debate? i would pay top dollar to go to sit front row at that debate, if it ever happen. your prediction. hopefully he won't use you as a fund raising to look and like he did before. >> herschel want that smoke. let's also give raphael warnock some credit. he's one of the better politics that come out in the last four, five, six years. his ads were on point. his policy positions around point. he's able to explain this in a way that makes sense to people

from georgia. and makes sense to people from a more conservative religious background around the country. he is the real deal. walker is fake news. will they ever debate? that can only her walker. since walker just does what he's told, if it's people tell him not to debate, herschel walker will not have the wherewithal to overrule them and take on the challenge for himself. >> it's renaissance weekend, so i will just say herschel walker is trying to smoke with that yak it is mouth. we will see what hope is that they ever made on the debate stage. elie mystal, you are the best, i love you having on the show. thanks for being here. coming up, a flashy pastor has robbed hundreds of thousand dollars of jewelry raising questions about how many why so many ministers are rich when many of their parishioners are not? we will discuss that after the break. er the break. when owning a small business gets real,

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you guys know the church is a cornerstone of the last black community since enslaved gather to worship. -- stops on the underground railroad and later provided the power and organization around equal rights in this country. -- but it doesn't always feel like the black churches the quite the same thing as it once was. for example, this bishop, no more whitehead, said he was robbed of $400,000 of jewelry last sunday as he was in the middle of his life stream service. and he famously financed -- he has recently walked back his decades long teaching about -- joining me to get into all of this is msnbc contributor and host of the under racked podcast, and joshua dubois, former director of the white house faith-based initiative under barack oakham obama.

-- he's also the author, the president's devotional, the readings that inspired president obama. listen, you guys are perfect. brittani's the piqué. to piqué's on the panel. those are preachers kids, for those who don't. now even though you don't have to be ports of a past, or most pastor be rich. i'm gonna kick it off with you josh. talk to me about your thoughts about all of. this >> when it comes to the situation in brooklyn with this pastor up there, it's a hot mask and a crying shame had a baby it would be the situation. what's in the golden crust is jesus's happening here? i should say at the outset, no one should ever be rod, certainly not in the middle of the congregation, but i don't even know what $400,000 worth of jewelry looks like. is he the queen of england. is there a tiara involved? what is going on? that's just a whole nest. but i will say there's a massive distinction between

stuff like that and the churches around the country that are still places were hurting and broken people can come and receive some healing and that's what i'm seeing around the country. the problem with something like this is sometimes that branch transfers to the bracket shirt. that was devastating when things like this happen. >> i think when i start to see a lot of change, i grew up in a small store fronts church, but the birth of the mega church, people started building the role empires, let seemed to create a disconnect. you don't have that same intimacy. i'm curious your thoughts on the pastor and the robbery and then a -- it was like a rock beach for a minute. and what we're seeing it happen in the black church in general. you are. thoughts >> listen, i'm with josh here. this is clearly a hot mess. what is terrifying is that it doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon. there is constantly news coming out. it's coming out on cost blocks is telling of the kind of

situation we're dealing with. i am praying for that church, most importantly, it's parishioners, and that community, because the people deserve to be served, whether or not you are in public office or in a role of public service like being a pastor. i'm a double peak. my father was a pastor, my mother is a preacher. i want to be really clear. this is not just the pathology of the black church. remember to 2017 when joel oh have to be embarrassed into opening his doors of his church when there was a hurricane in houston, and yet it is a reminder that there is a particular responsibility that the black church hat as an institution that is unique from other houses of worship. it's a reminder that the black church has to aid in liberation, not just in heaven, but here on earth. that includes the economic liberation of your parishioners. if you're not about that life, that maybe don't get in the pulpit. >> thank you for bringing up that point. when we start talking about

white evangelicals, at the whole other conversation. -- another thing that i have found especially my friends who are parents, we are not necessarily in church every sunday. so the black church is a part of culture, even if it's not necessarily driving with your religious belief, this culture. if i was to say both of you right, now god is good. you would say. >> all the time. >> and if i was to say all the time, you would say. >> god is good. >> there's a call response that is so familiar to us. -- a lot of people in the jewish community might say, i'm not a big person, a big person of faith, but jewish is my culture. same with us. what are your thoughts around the lgbtq community and with some pastors preach when it comes to the changing ways of society, worldly ways i might say. >> listen, i think you're absolutely right. we are completely a fresh off the launch of renaissance.

i don't know you thought you tiffany, among other, songs church girl is my theme song, it's my, model i'm gonna write that across my chest. we understand growing up in the culture. i understand also would be unsafe said when she set swimming through the ocean of the tears that we cry, because quite often growing up in a church means dealing with church her, especially as black queer folks, we are blame for the ills of society, instead of embraced as we should be. -- we can get more towards black women's theology, black liberation's theology, that invites us to love all of gods people in our fullness. it is critically important that churches recognize that being a church that embraces everybody is not chasing a trend, it's actually tracing jesus. >> josh, close. out >> i 100% agree with that.

that is happening in churches across the country every single day. these last two years of the pandemic, one of the primary ways that black votes got education around vaccines and access through vaccines, is through the black church. the grocery prices are growing. up one of the primary ways we are dealing with hunger in our community is through the black church. -- they are doing this, they are inviting the gospel. not in just their words, but in the way they are acting. that's why golden crust jesus pieces are a problem, because that brand transfers to the church. -- wherever you find yourself, if you need something to find, you churches still a place that you can go. i hope that that part of the church is able to shine. more >> sunday services not just a kanye thing. thank you both very much. -- we'll have to have this conversation again. coming up, next the incomparable billy porter joins me to talk about his directing debut, a groundbreaking teen

romance. stay with us. stay with us

>> no way, that's a good. >> yeah, you can have it. >> really? >> yeah. you're so nice.

>> i'm not. >> yes, you are. i remember last year, we put a ceramic soccer ball in the killing. after he left, there is a hole in it, so it wouldn't explode. >> i was trying to protect my fans. >> you are already glazing your egyptian fans. >> amazon prime's latest movie, anything is possible, gives us the teen romance many of us have been waiting for. it tells the story of a young trans girl, as she navigates her senior year of high school. it marks the debut of billy porter, and i had a chance to talk with him about the movie. it was such a great conversation. take a listen. >> i am so thrilled to have where shipped at the feet of billy porter. it's i'm so happy to have you on the show. the intersectionality of being black in an lgbtq community,

and christian, comes with its own unique experiences. i think this movie will make so many people feel seen. how do you know this was your movie to make or directorial debut? >> the project found me. you know, i made a really intentional choice. a couple of decades ago, after seeing an oprah winfrey episode with -- my angelou, where they were talking about service. and how when you shift your intention to service, everything else will work itself out. i was really curious about myself. as an artist, as a black queer man, what does service look like? and it hit me like a ton of bricks? it's my queerness. it's everything that everybody from every side of my life is telling me.

every space in my life is telling me is my liability. it's my queerness. mike queerness -- if i lean into my queerness, it's going to be service, someday. i didn't know that it was going to be this. i did know is going to be this at all. at first -- i spent the first decade of my -- decades of my life being masculine enough so that i could eat. >> you speak openly about being christmas. it's like they say in the old church, my glory don't look like my story. how is it that you merge your activism with your artistry? that's really a beautiful thing for us to witness. >> oh, that's so sweet of you. it's never been separate. i came out as gay in 1985. it was in the middle of the aids crisis. so we went straight to the

front lines to fight for our lives. that was what you did. that was what it was. i was in the theater. my first broadway show was missed saigon. i arrived december 27th 1992 start rehearsal january 16th, or january 11th, -- 1991. and there was an organization called broadway cares. it fights aids -- it was a young organization at the time. they stepped in and taught all of us in the theater community, how to activate. >> i'm just curious, from you, after all you've accomplished, what does liberty look like, for you, slash us, as a people? >> we have to remind the people of the positive. it's really difficult to do

that when you are stuck in the quagmire of foolishness that we're in, right now, right? but would i have been working towards over the last year, you know, is, what is the positive? because the positive, when we lean into the positive, that is our oxygen mask. so that we can continue to be fortified for the fight. that is life. that's the circle of life. right? so, the reason the pushback is so severe in this moment, is because the change and the progress has already happened. >> i know that's right. >> we don't hear that enough. we don't talk about that enough. look at me! look at me! i am progress.

>> we love to look at you. you give us so much life. and i think your progress gives so many other people to keep in this fight because, though we've come a long way, we have a long way to go, and movies like you're directing -- absolutely -- absolutely >> and the movie embraces that. the movie is a romantic coming of age rom-com about a black transgender high school senior who gets a boyfriend, who gets into college, and it's a celebration of her life. it's a celebration of being trans. it's aspirational, i know. it looks at what's -- there are some people who experience this kind of joy and celebration in their lives, but not enough. i always say, how many times,

as artists, we have the power to heal. we have the power to move the conversation forward. how many times did we see a black president in art before we saw it for real? >> that's right, you can't desire to become what you have not seen. you've really done that with this movie. we thank you so much. i want to say, also, that you're going to be disney's the proud family -- part of it. i want to make sure that our viewers -- it makes -- means so much to young kids in the early 2000s. so excited for the viewers to check out your directorial debut. it is my honor, billy porter, to have you on. >> can i just say, i did the soundtrack for the film. let's also put that on public record. i wrote five songs for it. the entire soundtrack is about 90% queer people, and it's a pretty cute -- precursor to the new pop music that i have later in the year. i have to make sure i get that

out. so thank you. >> i have to make sure i get an invite to that album release party, so thank you so much, my friend. billy porter, i look forward to having you back. let's time i see this in person. >> next time we will. >> thank you so much, okay. by. >> all right, you can see billy porter's movie, anything is possible, streaming right now on amazon prime. be sure to check that out. coming up tomorrow, be sure to tune in jonathan capehart's special, 100 days to midterms. that will start at 9 am eastern, tomorrow, followed by the sunday show from 10 am to noon. you have three hours of capehart tomorrow, don't miss it. we'll be right back. l be right back.

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much for watching at home. the cross connection will be back next saturday. please stay tuned, my friend alex has the latest. alex, please tell me you listen to the beyoncé album already. >> if you some day yesterday, but even into it this afternoon, i'll be doing some housecleaning and stuff, i'll be happy about doing it. i'm going to. i promise. but it didn't one ally. thank you my friend. >> enjoy. >> thank. you have a good one.

a very good data olive you from msnbc world headquarters here in new york. remember welcome to alex witt reports. we begin with breaking news in kentucky. newer this hour of a rising death toll, at least 25 confirmed dead. in just minutes, governor andy beshear's expect its update the situation but in the meantime, i'll show you video some national guard -- officials say could take weeks to find all the victims. and more rain is in the forecast for this weekend. let's go to nbc's maggie vespa, who is in kentucky. that seems like a tragically apropos name, lost creek, but how are things changed on the ground last 24 hours? >> it's a feeling of chaos frankly on the ground, has been escalating day-by-day, hour by hour. you should video of those