New audio puts Trump's mess in perspective

Plus, report blows the lid off SCOTUS overturning of abortion rights [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news Sunday, December 17, 2023 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT [Alternate text] After a [weeklong trial](, a jury ordered Rudy Giuliani to pay [nearly $150 million]( to former Georgia election workers [Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman]( for the harm caused by [defamatory statements]( he made about them following the 2020 election. Giuliani’s defamation trial offered the mother and daughter [a vehicle]( for [long-overdue justice]( against the [disgraced]( lawyer. It was another week of [legal losses and setbacks]( for former President Trump. On Tuesday, special counsel Jack Smith [appealed]( to the U.S. Supreme Court to skip some intermediate appeals and take up Donald Trump's [tried-and-(un)true]( claim that [he's immune]( from criminal prosecution. Trump’s response is due Dec. 20, after which the justices will decide [whether to intervene]( or let the process [play out]( in the D.C. Circuit, neither of which outcome are [likely to help]( the GOP frontrunner. Meanwhile, Mark Meadows is trying to [move]( the Georgia election interference case against him to federal court, [arguing]( his efforts to overturn the 2020 election fell within the [scope of his duties]( as Trump’s White House chief of staff. On Wednesday, House Republicans [voted]( 221-212 to formalize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden this week, although they remain [unable to explain]( what alleged crimes he is supposed to have committed. The lack of [any evidence of wrongdoing]( makes more sense in light of Republicans’ inability to [keep their mouths shut]( about the [true motive]( behind the impeachment push. Missed something? Don't worry. Here are our select columns and videos from the week. And don't forget to check out [MSNBC.com]( for more.   EDITOR'S PICKS [Alternate text] [HAYES BROWN]( [The mountain of evidence against Trump is still growing bigger]( Revealing new audio of Kenneth Cheseboro's fake elector scheming definitely won't help Trump's legal defense. [Read more.]( [DANNY CEVALLOS]( The one line that Rudy Giuliani’s defense attorneys refused to cross]( Rudy Giuliani is a lawyer’s nightmare. His defamation trial behavior proved it. [Read more.]( [CLARISSA-JAN LIM]( [Elise Stefanik sends strongly worded letter over judge’s speech warning about ‘big lies’]( Judge Beryl Howell delivered a speech last month about the country’s risk of descending into authoritarianism. [Read more.]( [STEVE BENEN]( [Russian intelligence binder reportedly went missing from Trump White House]( New reporting alleges that a binder containing highly classified information on Russia was brought to the Trump White House — and went missing. [Read more.]( [MATTHEW DOWD]( [More than 25 years ago, doctors advised my pregnant wife and me to escape Texas]( Texas has long been an unwelcome place for women with nonviable pregnancies. I can attest as a former expectant dad and as a Texan, that Kate Cox's story is not rare. [Read more.]( [JA'HAN JONES]( [If the partisanship behind the impeachment is a secret, Republicans are blowing it]( Republicans keep admitting the impeachment effort is pure politics, which only helps the White House push back against the inquiry. [Read more.]( [ALI VELSHI]( [Andrew Kirtzman: The key to understanding the ‘catastrophic fall’ of Rudy Giuliani]( Andrew Kirtzman, author of “Giuliani: The Rise and Tragic Fall of America's Mayor,” speaks to Ali Velshi about his reaction to the defamation trial verdict and what led to the disgraced former mayor's downfall. [JONATHAN CAPEHART]( ['It's embarrassing to watch them': Democrats blast House impeachment crusade]( Rep. Becca Balint joins Jonathan Capehart to discuss House Republicans voting to authorize their impeachment inquiry into President Biden. [ALEX WAGNER]( [TONIGHT]( ['Incredibly dishonest': Report blows the lid off Supreme Court overturning of abortion rights]( New reporting from the New York Times offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Supreme Court conservatives orchestrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade. [SYMONE]( ['You just can't come on here and lie': Symone fact-checks Rep. Burchett's claims about Biden]( Why does a baseless impeachment inquiry of President Biden remain a Republican priority? Symone Sanders-Townsend poses that question to Republican Rep. Tim Burchett, who voted in favor of impeaching Biden.     MORE FROM MSNBC [Alternate text] In the latest episode of “How To Win 2024,” the Texas Supreme Court ruled against a pregnant woman in Dallas seeking an abortion following a fatal fetal diagnosis. Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri are joined by Christina Reynolds of EMILYs List to break down what happened and look ahead to how the push for abortion access will influence political races in 2024. Listen now. Tuesday, Lawrence O’Donnell sits down with Vice President Kamala Harris in an exclusive interview to reflect on her past year in office, the upcoming election, and the future of Democracy. Watch The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell Tuesday at 10pm Eastern on MSNBC. MSNBC INSIGHTS [Alternate text] Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! [Join the MSNBC Insights Community.]( [Image] [Image] 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_daily) [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_daily)