on the way. s on the way. president biden and donald trump ready to go toe to toe. when they're taking the stage and how the debate is blowing up traditional debates as we knee it. a shocking assassination attempt. europe on edge after a man walked up to slovakia's prime minister and shot him multiple

times. an update on his condition this morning. russia and china tightening ties. vladimir putin arriving in beijing overnight for a summit with xi jinping. where we're live with what the partnership could mean for the global stage. kicking up controversy. why the commencement speech by a kansas city chief is sparking outrage online. and the price ain't wrong. we have the first details. it's thursday, may 16. "early today" starts right now. good morning. i'm frances rivera. donald trump will be back in court today, where his defense team will try to hammer away at michael cohen's credibility. a source with direct knowledge tells nbc news, trump's lawyers plan to focus on previous lies under oath during today's cross examination. meanwhile, there is another showdown in the works. president biden and his predecessor have agreed to two

debates before the november election. nbc's peter alexander has more. >> reporter: the stage is set for the first tv confrontation between president biden and former president trump in more than three years. the agreement punctuating a dizzying day of deal making. >> donald trump lost two debates to me in 2020. since then, he hadn't shown up for a debate. now he's acting like he wants to debate pme again. well, make my deal, pal. >> reporter: the hush money trial has kept him in court four days a week. >> pick the date, donald. i hear you're free on wednesdays many. >> reporter: there are traditionally three debates. the president offering two. mr. trump, who refused all of the primary debates quickly said yes and pushing for more, saying i'm ready and willing to debate crooked joe. for excitement purposes, a very large venue.

just tell me when. i'll be there. within hours, a pair of debate dates were set. one in late june. another in september. both sides bypassing the commission on presidential debates proposal for three fall showdowns. president biden's decision comes after former president trump repeatedly challenged him to debate. >> you can see we have an empty podium right here to my right. you know what that is, that's for joe biden. i'm trying to get limb to debdehim to debate. >> reporter: recent polls show mr. trump in a strong position in some key battleground states. and shortly after the former president's criminal trial is expected to wrap up. senator romney arguing the president should have pardoned mr. trump. >> i would have immediately pardoned him. i would have pardoned president trump. why? because it makes me, president biden, the big guy. and the person i pardon the little guy. >> reporter: the debate is certain to be a bitter battle with the president and his

predecessor, trading insults. >> the worst president. give me the ten worst names. they haven't done the damage to our country that this total moron has done. >> reporter: and from mr. biden. >> the guy is sort of lost his mooring. he seems like the guy who just doesn't know what the hell he's doing anymore. >> reporter: in an unprecedented campaign, the first crucial clash now the earliest in modern history. this first debate of course is going to be happening before the conventions, likely before former president trump has even picked his vice presidential nominee. the former president saying today that he would like there to be a third debate in october. but biden campaign officials are brushing it off, telling me, quote, no more games. no more chaos. they say president biden will do two. back to you. >> peter, thank you. new this morning, another twist in the battle over voting in louisiana. supreme court is allowing the state to use a new congressional map that has a second majority

black district. the court granting an emergency request blocking a lower court ruling that had invalidated the map. the court ordered louisiana to redraw their map in 2022, deciding with only one majority black district the state was likely diluting the power of black voters. turning to texas where a barge crash flood a bridge in galveston, causing a partial collapse. the impact also causing an oil spill. >> our emergency management is requesting fire department, hazmat. they're advising that there's fuel oil leaking into the water. >> the barge holds about 30,000 gallons. officials say it is unknown how much oil as leaked. t vessel's owner, martinpetroleum from its tow and hit the bridge.

the pelican island campus is closed until sunday. cleanup is under way and the ntsb and coast guard are investigating. turning to europe now where the prime minister of slovakia was shot and seriously wounded in an assassination attempt. it happened in the eastern town where he was gunned down after a political event. a local tv crew captured the moment of a shooting. and a warning, the video is disturbing. he was struck twice, and he was rushed to the hospital where he underwent surgery for several hours. he's now in stable condition. and the deputy told the bbc that he is expected to survive. the man who was wrestled to the ground immediately after the shooting has been identified by local media as a left wing poet in his 70s. authorities suspect the motive was political. the controversial

pro-russian man ran on assistance to ukraine. russian president putin is meeting with xi jinping. they greeted each other in front of the great hall of the people in tiananmen square in beijing. the display of unity visit? >> reporter: well, this is a key visit for vladimir putin. it's his first foreign trip since securing another six years in power. and it was a grand welcome here with red carpets, pageantry and a military band. the no-limits partnership with china, and putin's personal ties with xi jinping are seen as arguably his most important. the two have met over 40 times. and the timing of this visit is

significant, withmoscow intensifying its campaign in ukraine and the u.s. intensifying pressure on china to do more to stop it. already, the u.s. has sanctioned some chinese companies for selling certain goods, like machinetools, electronics, semi conductors, that kind of thing, to russian companies who have turned to chinese suppliers after being blocked from european markets. according to u.s. officials, those so-called dual use goods are then in turn manufacture flood tanks and other weaponry that russia is using in the war in ukraine. now china has denied these allegations. there are reports the biden administration could consider sanctions on chinese banks. that would be a huge set back here. but the plredicament doesn't appear to be undermining ties between xi and puth. they're marking 75 years of russia-china relations.

xi told putin it was a relationship that was hard earned and it needs to be cherished and nurtured. among the russian delegates visiting with putin is sergei shoigu. he was just replaced as defense minister in a rare reshuffling that in this new role he has joined the delegation because of his contacts in the chinese military. >> janice, thank you. a u.s. senator is trying to save a doctor who saved her life. the doctor who helped senator tammy duckworth when she was wounded in iraq says he is now trapped in gaza. the doctor shared these videos with nbc news from inside gaza. he is on a team there that includes ten american doctors. he says their original plan to leave has fallen apart, and if they leave the hospital they become targets. he spoke with nbc's ryan nobles last night. >> everyone we speak to has lost a family member. it's not like multiple family

members. there's a shortage of everything. like a shortage of soap. a shortage of food. we're lucky enough that we get a meal a day here in the hospital. and i have clean water to drink. most of them don't have that. >> senator duckworth says there is another group of doctors waiting to get in with fresh supplies, and she's calling everyone trying to secure safe passage. >> we've been helping other groups of doctors like med global get in and out and continue to provide aid. but he certainly is very near and dear to my heart because he saved my life 20 years ago. >> the doctor is in a hospital near rafah. israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu has said he expects the offensive against hamas in rafah to last weeks. here at home, the south can't get a break from the storms. nbc meteorologist michelle grossman is tracking another messy commute. we're watching when they're going to get that break. >> thi there, frances. we have a few days of soaking

rains once again in the south. the south tends to see rounds of showers, rounds of thunderstorms. let's take a look at radar. the rain is falling early this morning. already heavy rain where you see the brighter colors. >> seeing lightning, hearing thunder. as a result, we are under a flood watch once again. 17 million people impacted across texas, louisiana into parts of mississippi. we're going to see those rounds of showers and thunderstorms bringing heavy rain. we could see up to 6 inches, maybe a little more locally through the sexnext few days. next. bryan, huflufkin under the riskr flash flooding. 18 million people impacted, especially where you see the yellow, the orange, so lufkin, dallas, abilene, san angelo, austin could see damaging hail, two inches o e main concern ther

the chance for heavy rain, showers and storms. 79 in dallas. all right, that's your thursday forecast. >> we'll see you later. thank you michelle. coming up, a brother's life-saving gift to his little sister. but first, commencement controversy. why a speech by the chiefs' kicker is drawing criticism online. cker is drawing criticis online. this is not just a stop for allergy meds. ♪♪ this is a great price on what you need... to survive the season. ♪♪ quick question. backed by an expert. ♪♪ okay. this is value. right in your neighborhood. thanks so much. walgreens. ♪♪

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>> reporter: it began much like any other graduation speech. >> i would like to start off by congratulating all of you for making it to this achievement today. >> reporter: but minutes into this address, kansas city chiefs' star kicker, harrison butker ramping up the rhetoric. >> our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his catholic faith but at the same time is delusional enough to make the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally. >> reporter: the three-time super bowl champ, who has made his conservative catholic beliefs known in previous speeches then urging female graduates to embrace the title of homemaker. >> i think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you. how many of you hare sitting hee now about to cross the stage and thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? but i would venture to guess the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world. >> reporter: his message to

young men? >> be unapologetic in your masculinity. fighting against the cultural emasculation of men. >> reporter: butker taking aim at lgbtq pride month with a joke. >> pride, not the deadly sort of pride that has an entire month dedicated to it. >> reporter: and including taylor taylor swift. >> because as my teammate's girlfriend says, familiarity breeds contempt. >> reporter: it was met with applause at the small catholic college. but the backlash online has been fierce. >> did he forget that this is a college graduation? >> i literally don't understand how you can be so sexist, homophobic and misogynistic all in one speech. >> reporter: on x, one person saying, this is atrocious. you can find a kicker that's not homophobic and misogynistic pretty easily, i bet. butker, the kansas city chiefs,

benedictine college and taylor swift not responding to request for comment. now many shocked fans searching for answers from butker. >> what in the "the handmaid's tale" is going on? i still love the chiefs, but i definitely like you a little bit less. >> our thanks to kathy for that report. still to come. netflix is going for a hole in one with a comedy legend making his return to the green. new details on the long-awaited happy gilmore sequel, right after this. gilmore sequel, righ after this. feeling sluggish or weighed down? could be a sign that your digestive system

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something bad is happening in oz. >> the best way to bring folks together is to give them a real good enemy. ♪ ♪ >> you have no real power. >> that's why i need you. >> don't let her get away! >> this wicked witch.

>> the land of oz is about to be changed for good. cyn cynthia erivo in the latest trailer for wicked. it flies from the western skies into theaters this thanksgiving. cannot wait. it has taken nearly 30 years, but the world is finally ready for happy gilmore's comeback tour. >> time to go home there, ball. son of a [ bleep ] ball, why didn't you just go home? that's your home, are you too good for your home? answer me! >> after months for speculation, netflix announced on wednesday they've officially green lit a sequel to the beloved adam sandler sports comedy. he has had a deal since 2015 and is set to reprise his role as the unorthodox golfer. there's though word on the rest of the cast.

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games on christmas day. and oreo just announced two "star wars" cookies that are new. each pack will feature either dark or light-side oreos with red or blue icing. but here's the thing. you won't know which one until you open them. in stores on june 10th. them. in stores on june 10th. just like i was. dryness and frizz could be damaged hair that can't retain moisture. new pantene miracle rescue deep conditioner, with first-of-its-kind melting pro-v pearls... locks in moisture to repair 6 months of damage in one wash, without weigh down. guaranteed or your money back! for resilient, healthy-looking hair... if you know, you know it's pantene. [sneeze] ♪♪ this is not just a stop for allergy meds. ♪♪ this is a great price on what you need...

to survive the season. ♪♪ quick question. backed by an expert. ♪♪ okay. this is value. right in your neighborhood. thanks so much. walgreens. ♪♪ we are back with a story of selflessness and love. a 11-year-old girl born with kidney complications received the gift of life from her older brother. our nbc station here in new york has the story. >> reporter: emily can dance again after a life-changing

surgery in february. >> i have a lot more energy, and i eat a lot now. i had no appetite. and now i feel bulkier. >> reporter: now 11, emily was born with one kidney that didn't function properly. >> we later found out that she had a genetic diagnosis, which is pretty rare. >> reporter: it was clear emily would need a transplant as she grew older and got sicker. the need became more dire. her brother daniel, who is 19 years older and worked at cohen's children's medical center offered to help. >> it makes you think you were put on the earth for a reen, donating an organ. >> reporter: he had surgery in february to remove his kidney which was implant flood emily. >> my son is my hero.

and my baby girl, whose life he saved, always my hero. >> reporter: and donating his kidney to his sister is something he had always considered. but even he was surprised at the reaction from others. >> like i say, you know, that i donated a kidney to my sister and people are like, oh, i wouldn't do that for a sibling, or i wouldn't do that for a friend. >> reporter: and because of daniel's selfless act, emily has vastly improved and getting better every day. >> having a living donor kidney as opposed to a deceased donor kidney helps the kidney to kick in faster often than with a deceased donor. >> reporter: emily danced for the doctors and nurses who helped her. and of course her big brother daniel, who gave her the gift of life. >> i think of him as my hero. he's very nice to me, unlike other brothers. and i just think of him as, like, my familiary best friend.

>> what a connection way beyond just being siblings. before we go, here's a quick look at what's coming up on "today." >> this morning on the thuird hour of "today", we're talking about women's help and a checklist. and soccer like you've never seen it before, using drones. that's all this morning on the third hour of "today." >> thanks for kicking off your thursday with "early today." i'm frances rivera.

suddenly placed on leave. the new statement from school leaders following recent comments exploding overnight, one day after protesters clear uc berkeley's encampment, a new occupation protest pops up just off campus. details on the group leading the action and what s