Lesson in friendship playing out at recess, nightly news begins right now. Announcer from nbc news World Headquarters in new york, this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. Good evening. We heard directly from President Trump late today about the on slot of headlineslot of headline slot of headlines battering the white house this week. In a brief news conference, the president saying yesterdays appointment with special counsel to take over the russia investigation is a witch hunt that divides the country. And he offered an emphatic no when asked whether the former fbi director comey knew about National Security advisor Michael Flynn. We get details from chief White House Correspondent hallie jackson. Reporter tonight, new reaction to the special counsel taking over the russia investigation. I respect the move but the entire thing is a witch hunt and there is no collusion between certainly myself and my campaign, but i can [000 01 59;00] russians, zero. I think it divides the country.