to be charges, probably because there are not any. it wasn't part of the plan, but could donald trump's time in court help him get to the white house? as stormy daniels and trump's lawyer go at it in court, we ask ms daniels's good friend what she makes of it, and have analysis from two republicans — a trump supporter and one who's not. also tonight: israel makes it through to the eurovision final as pro—palestinian protestors demonstrate in malmo — we'll be speaking to crystalfrom rupaul�*s drag race who cancelled a eurovision party, and a long—time eurovision superfan. and mark has been ranging across america scoping out thejeopardy facing joe biden in his bid to remain in the white house. i voted for biden because i felt like i had no other choice, as a daughter of two undocumented immigrants, and nowi daughter of two undocumented immigrants, and now i made the decision that i will not be voting for biden. good evening. in a new york court room, the melodrama playing out between donald trump and an adult film star stormy daniels — became increasingly heated and combative today as ms daniels faced relentless cross examination by trump's lawyer. trump denies falsifying accounts to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to daniels, but win or lose he is making history, and a guilty verdict may not be a bar to a second stint in the white house. anthony zurcher, presenter of the bbc�*s americast podcast is here. how will the trial affect trump's bid for the white house? i think it is having a very real effect on his campaign. i cover campaigns and elections all the time and i have never seen anything quite like this. you have kind of a split screen moment for the last two weeks where joe screen moment for the last two weeks wherejoe biden, the president, is out there visiting swing states and meeting supporters and raising money for his campaign and meanwhile donald trump is tied to a court room for days out of the week and can't get out there and hold his typical rallies. he also seems a little distracted, understandably so, by the action in the courtroom, so even something like these demonstrations on us campuses, palestinian demonstrations, when he responds to them he is talking about how they are being treated differently, his protest is coming to the courthouse are not necessarilyjust attacking and trying to maximise the issue for the greatest political benefit. it has proven to be a challenge for the former president. it is has proven to be a challenge for the former president.— former president. it is interesting because he _ former president. it is interesting because he is so _ former president. it is interesting because he is so used _ former president. it is interesting because he is so used to - because he is so used to orchestrating his own story and he doesn't get to do that in court. he doesnt doesn't get to do that in court. he: doesn't and he has to sit there silently and watch of these court proceedings go by and he doesn't get a chance to respond. because there is a gag order, he can't talk about current witnesses are future witnesses so he doesn't get much of a chance to get up and rebut what people are hearing in the courtroom. the times he has been able to do that he stepped over the line and has been sanctioned thousands of dollars in violation by the judge and thejudges now dollars in violation by the judge and the judges now threatening to put him injail if he is held in contempt of court for talking about again. contempt of court for talking about aaain. ~ . contempt of court for talking about auain.~ ., ., , ., contempt of court for talking about aaain. ., ., , ., ., again. what sort of course of action does he take _ again. what sort of course of action does he take to _ again. what sort of course of action does he take to make _ again. what sort of course of action does he take to make a _ again. what sort of course of action does he take to make a response . again. what sort of course of action | does he take to make a response to everything that has happened and to keep himself as he would regard it in fine fettle, what does he do beyond the court? he in fine fettle, what does he do beyond the court?— in fine fettle, what does he do beyond the court? he has been showin: beyond the court? he has been showing up _ beyond the court? he has been showing up outside _ beyond the court? he has been showing up outside the - beyond the court? he has been - showing up outside the courtroom and holding impromptu press conferences where he tries to talk about how this entire thing is a witch against him. he sharply criticises the judge in this case, who he can't talk about, there is no gag order on that. he has also been trying to fund raise and sending out e—mails from his campaign getting his supporters to donate more money, presenting himself as a persecuted politician who is being attacked because he is standing up for the little guy. because he is standing up for the little au . . ~ because he is standing up for the little au . ., ~' because he is standing up for the little au . ., ~ , because he is standing up for the littleuu. . , . little guy. thank you very much indeed. we're nowjoined by alana evans, a close friend of stormy daniels and fellow adult movie actress who was named in court this week as the friend daniels called after her 2006 interaction with trump. thank you very much forjoining us. ijust said you were named in court but why were you in court? i was named in — but why were you in court? i was named in court _ but why were you in court? i was named in court because - but why were you in court? i was named in court because they - but why were you in court? i —" named in court because they asked stormy if she had called me that night she met up with him, i am stormy�*s friend from lake tahoe, and they phoned me that evening. thea;t they phoned me that evening. they bein: ? they phoned me that evening. they being? stormy _ they phoned me that evening. they being? stormy daniels _ they phoned me that evening. they being? stormy daniels and - they phoned me that evening. they being? stormy daniels and donaldl being? stormy daniels and donald trum. being? stormy daniels and donald trump- stormy — being? stormy daniels and donald trump. stormy and _ being? stormy daniels and donald trump. stormy and i _ being? stormy daniels and donald trump. stormy and i saw - being? stormy daniels and donald trump. stormy and i saw each - being? stormy daniels and donald i trump. stormy and i saw each other earlier that they and we have been friends for some time and that night she repeatedly called me asking me to go with her to what i was told was a party, and earlier in the night i had agreed but as the cause continued and when she finally called me on speaker with former president trump that's when all of it became very real for me and i panicked and i turned off my phone and decided it was a better option to not tojoin and decided it was a better option to not to join them.— to not to 'oin them. basically she was to not to join them. basically she was asking _ to not to join them. basically she was asking you — to not to join them. basically she was asking you to _ to not to join them. basically she was asking you to join _ to not to join them. basically she was asking you to join them - to not to join them. basically she was asking you to join them in i to not to join them. basically she was asking you to join them in a l was asking you to join them in a kind of threesome, but tell me, you are absolutely sure donald trump was in the room? did he speak to you? absolutely, and it was that moment that made it all incredibly real for me. she called, i could hear him, he said hi to me, invited me tojoin them and come party, come have some fun, and this is a man i have heard his voice plenty on television and things like that. it was undoubtedly him. ., ., ., , , him. you are not testifying in court thouuh? i him. you are not testifying in court though? i have _ him. you are not testifying in court though? i have not _ him. you are not testifying in court though? i have not been _ him. you are not testifying in court though? i have not been asked - him. you are not testifying in court though? i have not been asked to l though? i have not been asked to testi at though? i have not been asked to testify at this _ though? i have not been asked to testify at this point. _ though? i have not been asked to testify at this point. and - though? i have not been asked to testify at this point. and would i though? i have not been asked to l testify at this point. and would you testify at this point. and would you testi if testify at this point. and would you testify if you _ testify at this point. and would you testify if you could? _ testify at this point. and would you testify if you could? absolutely. i testify if you could? absolutely. that isn't something _ testify if you could? absolutely. that isn't something they - testify if you could? absolutely. that isn't something they would testify if you could? absolutely. - that isn't something they would need to ask me more than once to do. very happy to support stormy and this time because i know it is absolutely true. ., �* ~' time because i know it is absolutely true. ., �* ~ true. tell me, i don't think you have been _ true. tell me, i don't think you have been in _ true. tell me, i don't think you have been in court _ true. tell me, i don't think you have been in court and - true. tell me, i don't think you have been in court and we - have been in court and we are getting reports of what is happening, but what do you think about the way the testimony has been going because i gathered that was pretty heated, on both sides to be fair. i pretty heated, on both sides to be fair. .., . pretty heated, on both sides to be fair. .. ., ,�* , fair. i can imagine, trump's attorney — fair. i can imagine, trump's attorney is _ fair. i can imagine, trump's attorney is of _ fair. i can imagine, trump's attorney is of course - fair. i can imagine, trump's attorney is of course going l fair. i can imagine, trump's. attorney is of course going to fair. i can imagine, trump's- attorney is of course going to be difficult today. they are adamantly trying to suggest an state that this is all lies when stormy and myself know it absolutely to be true. and of course she is going to push back on that because she knows she is telling the truth about everything that happened that night. thank you ve much that happened that night. thank you very much for— that happened that night. thank you very much forjoining _ that happened that night. thank you very much forjoining us. _ i'm joined now by mike davis, the man tapped to be trump's attorney general if he wins in november, and later, we'll speak to rina shah, rebublican commentator and political startegist who has worked as a senior advisor in congress. mike davis, thank you very much for joining us. let's ask you first of all, what do you make of the trial and how damaging do you think it could be to donald trump? first of all i am could be to donald trump? first of all i am not — could be to donald trump? first of all i am not going _ could be to donald trump? first of all i am not going to _ could be to donald trump? first of all i am not going to be _ could be to donald trump? first of all i am not going to be trump's i all i am not going to be trump's attorney— all i am not going to be trump's attorney general, i have made that very clean — attorney general, i have made that very clean i— attorney general, i have made that very clear. i would say the fact that _ very clear. i would say the fact that this — very clear. i would say the fact that this women you just had on, did you say— that this women you just had on, did you say she — that this women you just had on, did you say she was a pawn star? i said she was an — you say she was a pawn star? i said she was an adult _ you say she was a pawn star? i said she was an adult film _ you say she was a pawn star? i said she was an adult film star. - you say she was a pawn star? i said she was an adult film star. she is l you say she was a pawn star? i said she was an adult film star. she is a| she was an adult film star. she is a friend of stormy daniels who you will have heard said she was on the phone that night when stormy daniels called her and donald trump spoke to her, so she was commenting on how the trial was going. but i wonder how you think the trial is going? i think it is perfectly fitting that a pawn— think it is perfectly fitting that a pawn star would be on your show talking _ pawn star would be on your show talking about an alleged sexual encounter they tried to arrange in 2006 _ encounter they tried to arrange in 2006 this — encounter they tried to arrange in 2006. this is complete and total nonsense. — 2006. this is complete and total nonsense, this is garbage, this is about— nonsense, this is garbage, this is about trying to humiliate president trump _ about trying to humiliate president trump and to interfere in the 2024 presidential election. this alleged encounter that stormy daniels said happened — encounter that stormy daniels said happened was in 2006. there was a settlement— happened was in 2006. there was a settlement of a nuisance claim put in the _ settlement of a nuisance claim put in the books in 2017 and somehow that interfered in the election in 2016— that interfered in the election in 2016 with — that interfered in the election in 2016 with this 2017 accounting, and somehow_ 2016 with this 2017 accounting, and somehow that was a book—keeping misdemeanour that president trump's accountants put in his books as a legal— accountants put in his books as a legal expense two this is all what is being _ legal expense two this is all what is being debated in court, but you said on— is being debated in court, but you said on fox — is being debated in court, but you said on fox news two weeks ago, that clearly— said on fox news two weeks ago, that clearly there is an illegal and unconstitutional gag order here. why do ou unconstitutional gag order here. why do you think — unconstitutional gag order here. why: do you think that is true and do you think any defendant should be able to speak out about the judge? in the to speak out about the 'udge? in the united states of i to speak out about the judge? in the united states of america _ to speak out about the judge? in the united states of america we - united states of america we have something called the constitution and we _ something called the constitution and we have the first amendment and the sixth— and we have the first amendment and the sixth amendment and the 14th amendment and if there is anyone on the planet— amendment and if there is anyone on the planet who should have the constitutional right to speak out against — constitutional right to speak out against the judge, the prosecutor, their staff, — against the judge, the prosecutor, their staff, the witnesses, their biases. — their staff, the witnesses, their biases, the process, it is a criminal— biases, the process, it is a criminal defendant going through the criminal— criminal defendant going through the criminal process. you don't gag criminal— criminal process. you don't gag criminal defendants in america. i don't _ criminal defendants in america. i don't know— criminal defendants in america. i don't know what you guys do in the united _ don't know what you guys do in the united kingdom but in america we have constitutional rights and that they have — have constitutional rights and that they have turned the constitution on its head _ they have turned the constitution on its head by— they have turned the constitution on its head by gagging a criminal defendant of while this judge, whose aduu defendant of while this judge, whose adult daughter is raising millions of dollars— adult daughter is raising millions of dollars of this case requiring her recusal under the new york statute. — her recusal under the new york statute. is— her recusal under the new york statute, is allowing stormy daniels and michael:. an adult film star who is raising _ and michael:. an adult film star who is raising money of this trial through— is raising money of this trial through her twitter profile. and you have michael cohen who is a disbarred _ have michael cohen who is a disbarred attorney raising money on tick-took— disbarred attorney raising money on tick—tock and now you have this bimbo — tick—tock and now you have this bimbo pawn star saying... i tick-tock and now you have this bimbo pawn star saying... i think callin: bimbo pawn star saying... i think calling her— bimbo pawn star saying... i think calling her a _ bimbo pawn star saying... i think calling her a bimbo _ bimbo pawn star saying... i think calling her a bimbo pawn - bimbo pawn star saying... i think calling her a bimbo pawn star- bimbo pawn star saying... i think calling her a bimbo pawn star is. calling her a bimbo pawn star is pretty offensive and i want to ask you what you make of the trial in terms of the possibility that actually, in a way, donald trump could benefit, certainly from his base, but benefit because you might have heard anthony search are saying, it may be having an impact on the campaign and it may not be a -1? ., , ., ., , ., on the campaign and it may not be a -1? you just had a pawn star accuse president trump _ -1? you just had a pawn star accuse president trump of _ -1? you just had a pawn star accuse president trump of trying _ -1? you just had a pawn star accuse president trump of trying to - -1? you just had a pawn star accuse president trump of trying to have . -1? you just had a pawn star accuse president trump of trying to have a | president trump of trying to have a threesome — president trump of trying to have a threesome with stormy daniels. this women _ threesome with stormy daniels. this women is _ threesome with stormy daniels. this women is so — threesome with stormy daniels. this women is so not credible that the prosecutor— women is so not credible that the prosecutor doesn't want to call her in _ prosecutor doesn't want to call her in... �* , . ~ , prosecutor doesn't want to call her in... let's make this clear. you think it is _ in... let's make this clear. you think it is totally _ in... let's make this clear. you think it is totally outlandish i in... let's make this clear. you| think it is totally outlandish that donald trump would ever have a threesome. ijust want donald trump would ever have a threesome. i just want to ask you that, totally outlandish, would never happen? it that, totally outlandish, would never happen?— that, totally outlandish, would never happen? that, totally outlandish, would never hauen? , ., ., ., never happen? it is not relevant at all to this criminal— never happen? it is not relevant at all to this criminal prosecution. i all to this criminal prosecution. that— all to this criminal prosecution. that is— all to this criminal prosecution. that is the _ all to this criminal prosecution. that is the point of stormy daniels's testimony. not only is it not relevant, under rule 401 of the rules— not relevant, under rule 401 of the rules of— not relevant, under rule 401 of the rules of evidence, it is transparently prejudicial as of rule 405 _ transparently prejudicial as of rule 405 the — transparently prejudicial as of rule 403. the fact that the judge has president — 403. the fact that the judge has president trump gagged and he can't respond _ president trump gagged and he can't respond to— president trump gagged and he can't respond to michael: or stormy daniels— respond to michael: or stormy daniels or— respond to michael: or stormy daniels or this pawn star you just had on _ daniels or this pawn star you just had on who— daniels or this pawn star you just had on who this malicious smear against — had on who this malicious smear against president trump, he can't respond _ against president trump, he can't respond he — against president trump, he can't respond he goes to jail, itjust proves— respond he goes to jail, itjust proves what a kangaroo court for this is _ proves what a kangaroo court for this is. this is democrat warfare and frankly— this is. this is democrat warfare and frankly the bbc should be ashamed of itself... i and frankly the bbc should be ashamed of itself. . ._ and frankly the bbc should be ashamed of itself... i think we get the message _ ashamed of itself... i think we get the message about _ ashamed of itself. .. i think we get the message about how— ashamed of itself... i think we get the message about how you i ashamed of itself... i think we get the message about how you are i the message about how you are addressing her.— the message about how you are addressing her. the message about how you are addressin: her. ~ ., ., addressing her. what would you call her? i addressing her. what would you call her? i would — addressing her. what would you call her? i would call— addressing her. what would you call her? i would call her _ addressing her. what would you call her? i would call her a _ addressing her. what would you call her? i would call her a woman i addressing her. what would you call her? i would call her a woman who l her? i would call her a woman who ha--ens her? i would call her a woman who happens to — her? i would call her a woman who happens to be _ her? i would call her a woman who happens to be either _ her? i would call her a woman who happens to be either a _ her? i would call her a woman who happens to be either a film - happens to be either a film star, she has a job. i don't think there is any particular... she definitely has a job- _ is any particular... she definitely has a job. let's _ is any particular... she definitely has a job. let's talk _ is any particular... she definitely has a job. let's talk to _ is any particular... she definitely has a job. let's talk to alanna i has a job. let's talk to alanna because she _ has a job. let's talk to alanna because she is _ has a job. let's talk to alanna because she is still _ has a job. let's talk to alanna because she is still here. i has a job. let's talk to alanna because she is still here. do i has a job. let's talk to alanna i because she is still here. do you think that stormy daniels ever regret speaking out? absolutely not. in fact i regret speaking out? absolutely not. in fact i would _ regret speaking out? absolutely not. in fact i would imagine _ regret speaking out? absolutely not. in fact i would imagine she _ regret speaking out? absolutely not. in fact i would imagine she was i regret speaking out? absolutely not. j in fact i would imagine she was more frustrated she had to sign a nondisclosure agreement in the first place that stopped her from speaking out. . ~ place that stopped her from speaking out. ., ,, , ., place that stopped her from speaking out. ., ~' , ., , place that stopped her from speaking out. ., ,, i. , . place that stopped her from speaking out. . ~ ,, , . ., out. thank you very much indeed for 'oinin: us. it seems keir starmer is doubling down on the controversial defection of natalie elphick. rina shah is still with us. we didn't realise rina shah was still wet is. can you tell us about how mike davies is characterising this trial? i mike davies is characterising this trial? ~' , ., ., ., ~' mike davies is characterising this trial? ~' , ., ., , trial? i think when you look at this trial? i think when you look at this trial in general, _ trial? i think when you look at this trial in general, you _ trial? i think when you look at this trial in general, you have - trial? i think when you look at this trial in general, you have got i trial? i think when you look at this trial in general, you have got a i trial in general, you have got a split screen. you have views in america that are on one extreme and then you have views on the other and it does come down to the partisan split. there are so many republicans who are willing to say that this is an extreme weaponisation of our judiciary. the very fact that a former president is being held accountable for certain crimes he is alleged to have committed. in this case we have to be very clear and remember to zoom out and look at the big picture. this is about an alleged affair that took place years prior to trump seeking the presidency but what it comes down to is not that adultery is a crime. it comes down to that hush money payments were made and this is a case about business fraud. 0f payments were made and this is a case about business fraud. of course former president trump alleges this affair never happened and that he doesn't know stormy daniels and this is just people coming after him to sully what he says is his good name, and essentially this is the case they made in court, his lawyers, but this is about extortion and stormy daniels trying to get rich off of trump's name. at the end of the day what we know here and what we have learned in the past week are some really salacious details, some that i wish i could on here. but the reality is that stormy daniels, in taking the stand, has had to prove that this alleged affair did happen and the credibility of hers is coming into question simply because republicans want to take aim at her character. and again, cast aspersions about, what she intended to do with this alleged relationship with former president trump. what did you make of mike davis saying it is a gagging order that has been put on trump? donald trump has been put on trump? donald trump has been put on trump? donald trump has been warned _ has been put on trump? donald trump has been warned by _ has been put on trump? donald trump has been warned by the _ has been put on trump? donald trump has been warned by the judge - has been put on trump? donald trump has been warned by the judge many i has been warned by thejudge many times to behave in court. just the other day he was cursing, using profanities. thejudge other day he was cursing, using profanities. the judge said other day he was cursing, using profanities. thejudge said he warned trump's lawyers their client would have to stop that or he would have to put him behind bars. the former president is a private citizen under the law now and he is also innocent and pull proven guilty in a court of law so there is a jury of his peers in new york listening to this evidence. but it's been about ten times now he's been held in contempt of court for various reasons —— innocent until proven guilty. i don't think he is receiving much different treatment to most people who are private citizens as defendants in court. there is a little bit of dual justice here if you ask me. any other private citizen, had they been held in contempt of court some ten times, they would have been injail by now. times, they would have been in 'ail b now. �* , times, they would have been in 'ail b now. 3 times, they would have been in 'ail b now. �*, ., by now. let's look at the impact that this trial _ by now. let's look at the impact that this trial could _ by now. let's look at the impact that this trial could have - by now. let's look at the impact that this trial could have on i by now. let's look at the impact that this trial could have on the | that this trial could have on the presidential election. it is possible of course, we know, that evenif possible of course, we know, that even if there is a problem for donald trump in the verdict, it doesn't necessarily diss bar him from the white house. how do you think this is playing? the from the white house. how do you think this is playing?— think this is playing? the great big ruestion think this is playing? the great big question here _ think this is playing? the great big question here is _ think this is playing? the great big question here is who _ think this is playing? the great big question here is who is _ think this is playing? the great big question here is who is paying i question here is who is paying attention to this trial. those independently minded voters in the sun seven swing states that will determine the result of the presidential election, are these voters watching? and can their minds be changed about trump? there is a great big assumption here that has been trump has to change the minds of certain voters about him. i want to push back on that notion for a moment and say i don't actually think that is his charge here. all he really has to do is makejoe biden out to seem unfit to have a second term. and so whether it's this case or the three other cases of criminal wrongdoing he is facing in three otherjurisdictions, some 90 some criminal counts against him in total, all that kind of gets pushed to the side when you look at this very simple order of business he has come and that is again to continue to paintjoe biden as unfit for a second term, not to change the minds of voters about who he is. mina shah, thank you very much indeed. . , mina shah, thank you very much indeed. ., , ., ~ mina shah, thank you very much indeed. ., , ., ,, , ., it seems keir starmer is doubling down on the controversial defection of natalie elphick. it has just been announced he is accompanying her to the seaside — to dover to be precise — the epicentre of the small boats crisis. nick is here. what is going on to don knight tomorrow?— what is going on to don knight tomorrow? �* , ., , ., ., , tomorrow? there's lots of unease in the labour — tomorrow? there's lots of unease in the labour party _ tomorrow? there's lots of unease in the labour party about _ tomorrow? there's lots of unease in the labour party about this - the labour party about this defection and is keir starmer shying away from that? absolutely not. natalie elphicke will introduce her put new party leader in her constituency of dover tomorrow. the best way to control the borders is graft, not gimmicks like the rwanda scheme is what they will say. that is all designed to answer tory critics that say labour has no plan to stop the small boats. the sort of tory mp who might say this sort of thing. some softy wants to rip up our world leading rwanda plan. yes, you've guessed it, that is what natalie elphicke said last year. sir keir starmer wants to answer this critics by standing alongside one of those critics. he has a signed piece in the sun tomorrow and he will announce that he as prime minister, if he becomes prime minister, would direct 75 million out of the year one rwanda budget to fund his plan which is creating a new border security command, using counterterrorism powers and giving a much, much bigger role for m15 to tackle boats, as he says, at source and upstream. interestingly, james cleverly, the home secretary out of the blocks, saying that rather than starting the flights and stopping the boats, sir keir starmer�*s big new idea is an amnesty for all illegal immigrants, scrapping our rwanda plan even if it is working. and amnesty for illegal immigrants. the reason the government is saying thatis the reason the government is saying that is that their plan makes any crossing on a small boat illegal, if you get rid of it then you are making them legal, the government would say. sir making them legal, the government would sa . ,, ,, ., , would say. sir keir starmer is cementing — would say. sir keir starmer is cementing the _ would say. sir keir starmer is cementing the relationship i would say. sir keir starmer is l cementing the relationship with natalie elphicke but yet hasn't squared it with all the party, it seems? . �* , squared it with all the party, it seems? ., �* , , ., , seems? that's right. there is unease about it and — seems? that's right. there is unease about it and it _ seems? that's right. there is unease about it and it does _ seems? that's right. there is unease about it and it does stretch _ seems? that's right. there is unease about it and it does stretch right i about it and it does stretch right into the keir starmer in a circle, some people not happy. interestingly, morgan mcsweeney, his sort of chief strategist, has had a very big smile on his face over the last 48 hours. you talk to some shadow ministers, they have glum faces, talking about how it is toxic a timer done that contaminates the brand. i reported last night about how some labour women had passed on concerns after natalie elphicke's husband charlie, former mp, was convicted of sexual assault. she told the son that he was a victim of a terrible miscarriage ofjustice, talked about how he had faced false allegations today and she apologised for those remarks about the victims, and i have to say that has gone some way to ease those concerns.- way to ease those concerns. thank ou ve way to ease those concerns. thank you very much _ way to ease those concerns. thank you very much indeed, _ way to ease those concerns. thank you very much indeed, nick. i tonight, eden golan, the israeli entrant in eurovision performed in the semifinal in malmo with pro palestinian demonstrators outside waving banners accusing eurovision of white washing israeli crimes. surrounding them, a huge police presence with reinforcements drawn in from norway and denmark, and just a few minutes ago israel made it through to saturday's grand final. israel! well, i'mjoined by lisa—jayne lewis, eurovision broadcaster and commentator live in malmo at the arena. good evening. what was it like in there? ,., ., good evening. what was it like in there? , , �* there? good evening, kirsty. i've been in the _ there? good evening, kirsty. i've been in the media _ there? good evening, kirsty. i've been in the media centre, - there? good evening, kirsty. i've been in the media centre, i i there? good evening, kirsty. i've been in the media centre, i have| been in the media centre, i have friends in the arena who have been letting us know how things were going. generally speaking, overall, a really good show, some shock qualifiers and non—qualifiers. israel of course qualifying, that's what you are talking about, i don't think that was a surprise, everyone expected there would be in the final on saturday. but from what i gather in the arena from what i've heard, a mixture of cheering and a mixture of booing and we didn't expect to happen in the arena tonight. so booing and we didn't expect to happen in the arena tonight. 50 in happen in the arena tonight. so in fact, although _ happen in the arena tonight. so in fact, although we _ happen in the arena tonight. so in fact, although we understand is actually booing cancelling in musical equipment, you could hear the booing? taste musical equipment, you could hear the booing?— musical equipment, you could hear the booina? . ., ., ., the booing? we could not hear it on the booing? we could not hear it on the broadcast _ the booing? we could not hear it on the broadcast stream. _ the booing? we could not hear it on the broadcast stream. people i the booing? we could not hear it on the broadcast stream. people in i the booing? we could not hear it on the broadcast stream. people in the arena were reporting that. the same thing happened at the rehearsals last night and clips of that have been on social media. for as many booing in the arena there were people cheering in the arena as you would expect anyway. for songs like this one particularly.— this one particularly. eurovision is no stranger _ this one particularly. eurovision is no stranger to _ this one particularly. eurovision is no stranger to controversy. i this one particularly. eurovision is no stranger to controversy. but i l no stranger to controversy. but i wonder the impact of this, as i said earlier, police have been drafted in from norway and denmark, and i wonder if the event has been impacted in wider malmo by the pro—palestinian protests. it is pro-palestinian protests. it is certainly here _ pro-palestinian protests. it is certainly here and _ pro-palestinian protests. it is certainly here and no - pro—palestinian protests. it 3 certainly here and no one is unaware of what is happening, there is a police presence everywhere. we would ordinarily see police and security and eurovision. and again, naturally, we expected that. i've not seen in the arena area anything untoward, there are people with palestinian flags outside the arena. as was reported early in the day, there was a big pro—palestinian march in malmo centre. there was also a pro—israeli want to counteract that at the same time. people want to have their voices heard. . ~ people want to have their voices heard. ., ~' ,, , people want to have their voices heard. . ~ ,, , . we're nowjoined by crystal, a drag performer who cancelled their eurovision screening party event to protest against israel's inclusion in the contest, and brooke pilling, a superfan who says the event should remain apolitical. thank you forjoining us. you're protesting by banning your own event. what have you done and what do you normally do and how is it changed? it’s do you normally do and how is it chanced? �* , , ' , changed? it's been different every ear but changed? it's been different every year but i'm _ changed? it's been different every year but i'm a _ changed? it's been different every year but i'm a huge _ changed? it's been different every year but i'm a huge eurovision i changed? it's been different every| year but i'm a huge eurovision fan. this year i was hosting my own screening event in dalston which was going to be 800 people screaming and cheering along at the screen, it was going to be a really great time. i've decided tojoin going to be a really great time. i've decided to join the boycott because of israel's inclusion and i feel because the ebu has forced my hand by deciding to give them in the contest. the hand by deciding to give them in the contest. ., , ., �* , contest. the european broadcasting union? yes- — contest. the european broadcasting union? yes. would _ contest. the european broadcasting union? yes. would you _ contest. the european broadcasting union? yes. would you say - contest. the european broadcasting union? yes. would you say to i contest. the european broadcasting union? yes. would you say to the i union? yes. would you say to the revious union? yes. would you say to the previous guest — union? jazz would you say to the previous guest who says it is an apolitical contest, is that your view of it?— view of it? no, i discovered eurovision _ view of it? no, i discovered eurovision in _ view of it? no, i discovered eurovision in 2014 - view of it? no, i discovered eurovision in 2014 through l view of it? no, i discovered i eurovision in 2014 through my husband after moving to the uk and one of the things i fell in love with when i discovered it was how political it was, it was like a lesson in european politics, the countries that vote for each other, the countries that never give points to each other. i attended in sweden in 2016 when ukraine won with a song about the annexation of crimea, that was on a political win. russia was kicked out of the competition when they invaded ukraine, that is a political choice. even the choice to repress booing, that is not an apolitical choice, there has a political consequence whether or not you agree with it.— you agree with it. brooke pilling, ou are a you agree with it. brooke pilling, you are a long — you agree with it. brooke pilling, you are a long time _ you agree with it. brooke pilling, you are a long time fan _ you agree with it. brooke pilling, you are a long time fan of- you are a long time fan of eurovision and you know indeed all about the protests. but do you believe it should simply be set aside and that actually there is no reason for one country or another nor do you make delineations, for example, between russia being banned in february 2022 as it was invading ukraine and where we stand here today in a middle east crisis? i think a lot of people have obviously taken _ think a lot of people have obviously taken russia as an example to compare — taken russia as an example to compare what's happening with israel and lsrael's _ compare what's happening with israel and israel's participation in eurovision this year. i personally don't _ eurovision this year. i personally don't think— eurovision this year. i personally don't think it is as black and white as it _ don't think it is as black and white as it may— don't think it is as black and white as it may seem. i have read crystalarticle she wrote for the metro — crystalarticle she wrote for the metro and i completely understand why you _ metro and i completely understand why you are doing what you are doing and l'm _ why you are doing what you are doing and l'm fully— why you are doing what you are doing and i'm fully behind that crystal is able to— and i'm fully behind that crystal is able to participate in boycotting the event because of the view that have _ the event because of the view that have i_ the event because of the view that have. i fully support everyone's opinions — have. i fully support everyone's opinions and views. however, eurovision— opinions and views. however, eurovision is a time forjoy, it is a time — eurovision is a time forjoy, it is a time for— eurovision is a time forjoy, it is a time for unity. the slogan this year. _ a time for unity. the slogan this year, united by music, that's what i feel we _ year, united by music, that's what i feel we should be doing. at least 'ust feel we should be doing. at least just for— feel we should be doing. at least just for one day this year. let's all try— just for one day this year. let's all try and _ just for one day this year. let's all try and come together and really celebrate _ all try and come together and really celebrate thisjoyous all try and come together and really celebrate this joyous event. is all try and come together and really celebrate this joyous event.- celebrate this 'oyous event. is that not, in a celebrate this 'oyous event. is that not. in a way.’— celebrate this joyous event. is that not, in a way, saying _ celebrate this joyous event. is that not, in a way, saying that - celebrate this joyous event. is that not, in a way, saying that la i celebrate this joyous event. is that not, in a way, saying that la la i celebrate this joyous event. is that j not, in a way, saying that la la la, these things aren't existing? 0r actually, does it in his own way draw attention to it anyway? yes. actually, does it in his own way draw attention to it anyway? yes, it does. and nobody _ draw attention to it anyway? yes, it does. and nobody would _ draw attention to it anyway? yes, it does. and nobody would say, i'm i does. and nobody would say, i'm certainly— does. and nobody would say, i'm certainly not naive as to what is going _ certainly not naive as to what is going on— certainly not naive as to what is going on in— certainly not naive as to what is going on in the world, and... you can see the _ going on in the world, and... you can see the protest _ going on in the world, and... gm, can see the protest there. going on in the world, and... you can see the protest there. yes. it is not a simple — can see the protest there. yes. it is not a simple us _ can see the protest there. yes. it is not a simple us to _ can see the protest there. yes. it is not a simple us to use - can see the protest there. yes. it| is not a simple us to use language is not a simple us to use language is pro—palestinian or anti—israel because — is pro—palestinian or anti—israel because it's not as easy as that. pro—palestine has an implication of being _ pro—palestine has an implication of being anti—israel, whether or not that's— being anti—israel, whether or not that's true — being anti—israel, whether or not that's true is a different story. but that— that's true is a different story. but that is— that's true is a different story. but that is semantically how it comes— but that is semantically how it comes across. sol but that is semantically how it comes across. so i do think that, yes, _ comes across. so i do think that, yes, it's — comes across. so i do think that, yes, it's important that everybody is able _ yes, it's important that everybody is able to— yes, it's important that everybody is able to have their view and able to protest— is able to have their view and able to protest and stand up for what they believe in. but i think for eurovision— they believe in. but i think for eurovision we should try and keep politics— eurovision we should try and keep politics as — eurovision we should try and keep politics as quietly as possible just for one _ politics as quietly as possible just for one day. i�*m politics as quietly as possible 'ust for dayfi for one day. i'm afraid i have to disagree- _ for one day. i'm afraid i have to disagree- i— for one day. i'm afraid i have to disagree. i think _ for one day. i'm afraid i have to disagree. i think what - for one day. i'm afraid i have to disagree. i think what we i for one day. i'm afraid i have to disagree. i think what we are i disagree. i think what we are seeing, we've got israeli representation at this competition and palestinians don't have a voice at all. and meanwhile women and children are being bombed. ifrankly feel that if you are engaged in an invasion or genocide you shouldn't get to come to the party. {lit invasion or genocide you shouldn't get to come to the party. of course, it's not been — get to come to the party. of course, it's not been in _ get to come to the party. of course, it's not been in the _ it's not been in the international court so we don't know if it is genocide yet. court so we don't know if it is genocide yet-— court so we don't know if it is renocide et. , , ., ., genocide yet. many people argue that it is. genocide yet. many people argue that it is- and yes. — genocide yet. many people argue that it is- and yes. i _ genocide yet. many people argue that it is. and yes, i feel— genocide yet. many people argue that it is. and yes, i feel like _ genocide yet. many people argue that it is. and yes, i feel like when - genocide yet. many people argue that it is. and yes, i feel like when you - it is. and yes, i feel like when you are witnessing that level of suffering, pretending that that's not happening and say let's all come together with unity is a line that i can't cross. and frankly, it feels like pink washing, it is using one of my beloved cultural institutions to whitewash the crimes that i'm seeing happening and i don't want to stand for that. if seeing happening and i don't want to stand for that.— stand for that. if you look, i sunpose _ stand for that. if you look, i sunpose what _ stand for that. if you look, i suppose what people - stand for that. if you look, i suppose what people would i stand for that. if you look, i - suppose what people would say is that it actually doesn't make any difference what stance the eurovision song contest takes. i would say we have seen the power of boycott in the past, we have seen how effective that can be. if you look at south african apartheid. the cultural boycott there was a key lever in ending the apartheid. this is a real watershed moment for us to do the same again and really make our voices heard. if you're watching this and not feeling empowered or feeling like you can do something, this is something that you can do. what about the argument against an about apartheid, repeated actions to help bring apartheid to an end. i think boycotting and using, again, crystal— think boycotting and using, again, crystal using a platform, to speak about _ crystal using a platform, to speak about the — crystal using a platform, to speak about the opinions and your stance i think— about the opinions and your stance i think is_ about the opinions and your stance i think is absolutely amazing. everything in the media is great for being _ everything in the media is great for being able — everything in the media is great for being able to present these views and show— being able to present these views and show what is going on. however, ijust— and show what is going on. however, ijust dont— and show what is going on. however, ijust don't think eurovision is the most _ ijust don't think eurovision is the most suitable platform for that. so, this is most suitable platform for that. ’sf, this is headed most suitable platform for that. sf, this is headed now towards the final on saturday night. one makes assumptions but presumably the protests will carry on. what will you be doing on saturday night? will you be doing on saturday night? will you be doing on saturday night? will you be watching or protesting by not watching it? i you be watching or protesting by not watchin: it? . ., , you be watching or protesting by not watchin: it? . . , ., �* , watching it? i certainly won't be watchinu. watching it? i certainly won't be watching. there _ watching it? i certainly won't be watching. there are _ watching it? i certainly won't be watching. there are some - watching it? i certainly won't be i watching. there are some fabulous anti—eurovision events taking place where you can go and watch the amazing performance and raise money for palestine if that something you are interested in. i'll be at home with some friends watching previous eurovision entries and we will do our own live vote. i still love the competition. our own live vote. i still love the competition-— competition. you still love it. you'll spend _ competition. you still love it. you'll spend your _ competition. you still love it. i you'll spend your honeymoon competition. you still love it. - you'll spend your honeymoon watching the eurovision final. explain to me how that confluence of events happened. how that confluence of events happened-— how that confluence of events ha--ened. ., ., , �* happened. unfortunately, it wasn't lanned. i happened. unfortunately, it wasn't planned- i was _ happened. unfortunately, it wasn't planned. i was quite _ happened. unfortunately, it wasn't planned. i was quite annoyed - happened. unfortunately, it wasn't planned. i was quite annoyed that| happened. unfortunately, it wasn'ti planned. i was quite annoyed that i managed _ planned. i was quite annoyed that i managed to book our honeymoon for when _ managed to book our honeymoon for when the _ managed to book our honeymoon for when the eurovision final is, to be honest _ when the eurovision final is, to be honest but — when the eurovision final is, to be honest. but yes, we will be in a hotet— honest. but yes, we will be in a hotel waiting to fly to greece for our honeymoon on sunday. and possibly— our honeymoon on sunday. and possibly a — our honeymoon on sunday. and possibly a greek win could be a party— possibly a greek win could be a party when we get there, who knows? a greek— party when we get there, who knows? a greek win— party when we get there, who knows? a greek win is possible, of course. but actually, i'm not going to ask you to put money on it, but who do you to put money on it, but who do you think will win it seriously? my personal favourite is switzerland and i _ personal favourite is switzerland and i think they have a fantastic chance. — and i think they have a fantastic chance, and i'm also very much rooting — chance, and i'm also very much rooting for— chance, and i'm also very much rooting for ireland. of chance, and i'm also very much rooting for ireland.— chance, and i'm also very much rooting for ireland. of course you will not be _ rooting for ireland. of course you will not be watching _ rooting for ireland. of course you will not be watching but - rooting for ireland. of course you will not be watching but you - rooting for ireland. of course you | will not be watching but you must have a thought as to who you would like to see when? i have a thought as to who you would like to see when?— like to see when? i have to be honest, like to see when? i have to be honest. i— like to see when? i have to be honest, i haven't _ like to see when? i have to be honest, i haven't engaged - like to see when? i have to be | honest, i haven't engaged with like to see when? i have to be - honest, i haven't engaged with the songs this year, it has just felt too toxic and spoiled for me. i'd love to see an end to palestinian suffering, that's the win i want. thank you both very much indeed. earlier, we discussed whether trump's court appearances, criminal and civil, would do anything to dent his maga support — the answer being, most probably not, which must cause biden's supporters to foam at the mouth. but the president has plenty of other headaches ahead of the november presidential election, not least the university unrest over the us response to the gaza crisis — but also the fact that despite his huge economic stimulus across swathes of america he's not getting any discernible electoral bounce — in fact, the opposite. here's mark. we're building a future america full of possibilities. building an economy from the middle out and the bottom up, not the top down. investing in all america and all americans to make sure everyone has a fair shot. we leave nobody behind. our plan is working and america is coming back. that's america. arizona, the electoral frontier. in 2020, biden carried it, but now the polls suggest donald trump could derail him here. conventional wisdom suggests economics decides these elections. and this is one of the places where following covid and a downturn, the president has got thisjuggernaut of an economy moving again. this is the site for a new gigafactory making batteries for vehicles and power storage. over here, we've just got done with all the grading, all the underground utilities. that's all been put in. we're just probably two weeks away from finishing grading. so it's 214 acres. biden has used massive economic stimulus to incentivise the building of new plants, particularly in the battery and microchip sectors. and this site is just one example of dozens now across the country. so, so it is important. and we got conditional approval from the doe for $850 million. and so we're still working through all that. but it is important. but we could do fund raising on our own if we needed to. so that's always a possibility to keep the project going. renewable energy is another beneficiary of recent government stimulus. it's all part of the biggest industrial strategy for decades. but political opponents have focused on some of the negative consequences. you'd think these policies, which have brought high employment and economic growth, would bring popularity forjoe biden. but there are downsides. the cost of the stimulus has added to the national debt. the economy in certain ways is overheating, generating inflation with all that involves, and some would say, particularly in this state, driving more illegal migration. you might assume boosting us production of items like microchips would have been a trump policy. but at a press conference by maga firebrand carrie lake, who's contesting a senate seat in november, we heard the downsides. everybody making a pay cheque right now is struggling greatly. that pay cheque is not going as far as it used to because ofjoe biden's biden inflation. we have a lot of issues here in arizona that kind of permeate across the country. obviously, first and foremost, our wide open border. and so we have to do something and we have to do something serious to get this border under control. this is one of the reasons i'm running for the united states senate. we need to get to dc and actually start protecting our citizens. for democrats hoping to carry arizona, the claim that the biden stimulus has boosted illegal migration is not easy to combat. it's a complication of being the incumbent. the immigration system is not functioning well. the immigration laws have not been updated for decades, and that includes the asylum system, which is not functioning adequately at the border. it's disorderly and it's broken. on the other hand, the united states has always been a beacon. i'm wondering whether it's one of those issues and maybe as well as inflation, where the administration is kind ofjudged on its record. but those considerations don't really seem to be applied to donald trump by his supporters. correct. he is a cult figure among his supporters and the cult leader can do no wrong. so, you know, that's not every republican, but for the people who are down the rabbit hole for donald trump, the facts don't matter. january 6th never happened. some of it is religious fervour. they think he's the second coming of christ. it's a very odd phenomena. a night of unrest at arizona state university after pro—palestinian protesters refused to leave campus. and if attacks on the right were predictable, the campus protests of recent weeks have presented a challenge to biden from the opposite end of the political spectrum. arizona state was one of those campuses where students followed the example of columbia's occupation. among those we spoke to a few hours before the camp was broken up, it was not just support for palestinians, but a desire to make the president pay for his backing of israel. back in 2020, you know, it was my first time voting. i voted for biden because i felt like i had no other choice. you know, it's either vote for biden, the lesser, the lesser of two evils, or vote for trump. and, you know, at the time as a, you know, a daughter of two undocumented immigrants, i thought that was my only choice. and now, for the past six months, you know, i made the decision that i will not be voting for biden. so will the view among demonstrators be shared more widely among young electors? many democrats sensed they're vulnerable on this. do you, though, on the point of president biden's support for israel, do you regret it? do you think he could have been more even—handed or put more pressure on prime minister netanyahu? i think he could have. i think, i know that he's put private pressure on netanyahu and probably it would have been better had that pressure been more open. i'm someone who believes in the right of israel to exist. not everyone does, but i do. and the president does. that being said, netanyahu's conduct of the war has not been appropriate in some cases. i mean, the devastation of civilians in gaza is inexplicable and unacceptable. and i think a majority of democrats in the house feel that way. it's still many months until voting. the gaza issue may ebb, but the wider questions for young people on the left here are unlikely to. i do believe that we need to have a gen—z wave, if you will, of people coming into power. we have a lot of young people in power right now, and they need to rise up and be president, run for president, run for higher offices, because we need that wave so that we stop having these old white men in power to, a, control women's bodies, b, don't take police brutality seriously. don't take systemic racism seriously. and this brings us north to philadelphia and a warship launched in the same year thatjoe biden was born. the elephant, or indeed battleship, in the room withjoe biden is his age. the white house insists that he's got the judgment and the depth of enormous experience, but there's no doubt about it. there's a big part of the american electorate who feel thatjust as this fine old ship was pensioned off from the fleet in 1991, mr biden's time is passed. the newjersey is a museum ship now, in drydock for maintenance. but for the 81—year—old president, the toughest battle is yet to come. well, obviously, it's a big hurdle. i mean, i think if this were a normal election, i, by the way, i think if this were a normal election, biden wouldn't be running. i think he already would have stepped back. i think he's running because he believes he's the only plausible candidate. and i don't think he's unaware of his weaknesses as a candidate either. but he is the only plausible candidate right now. you know, i think that biden is a weak candidate, but he's facing, this is an existential crisis for the country. it used to be a cast iron rule of washington politics that being the incumbent was an advantage. with inflation and tough economic times, that's far less clear. add to the calculations that unique trump effect where his own base blame all of his failures in office on other people while denying