ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - April 1, 2026

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Tonight, we are tracking the historic American mission to the moon.

Booster ignition and lift off.

Just moments ago, the giant Artemis II rocket, 322 ft high, blasting off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, taking four astronauts on a 10 day mission to the moon and back the first such journey in more than 50 years. And the first giant step in a return to the moon surface on board a historic crew, the first African American first woman and first Canadian to head to

the moon.

What they did in the hours before the launch, playing cards for luck, leaving through the same doors as the Apollo astronauts generations ago, meeting with their families and saying their thank yous to the ground team. Gio Benitez is there. President Trump addresses the nation tonight on the war with Iran, five weeks after the president ordered an all-out assault on Iran. His first time addressing the American people on the war

with oil prices soaring as polling shows the majority of Americans disapprove of the war amid mixed messages from the administration on the conflict. Mary Bruce reports from the White House. Tonight, massive new strikes by the U.S. on Iran, American bombers hitting targets in Isfahan, and with thousands of Marines and elite American forces flowing into the region, what we're learning about

possible ground operations inside Iran. Also tonight, the urgent search for a kidnapped American journalist, the chilling video of her getting shoved into a car in Baghdad, what we're learning about her abductors tonight. Matt Rivers reports from the region. The Supreme Court hears arguments on birthright citizenship, a right that was first guaranteed in the 14th Amendment. President Trump there in the court, a first for an American president, with the justices skeptical of the government's

arguments. A New York man accused of terrorizing his neighborhood for weeks, allegedly caught on camera throwing homemade pipe bombs. Police say he had more than two dozen bombs. Aaron Katursky is standing by. The defense begins in the case against a Hawaiian doctor accused of trying to kill his wife, what his son told the jury his father told him. Former Fleetwood Max superstar Lindsey Buckingham reportedly attacked in Los Angeles. Accused CEO killer Luigi Mangione is back in court, what his lawyers asked a federal judge to do.

And a major pharmaceutical company shrinks the price on a popular type of weight loss

drugs.

From ABC News World Headquarters in New York, this is World News Tonight with David Muir.

Good evening, everyone. I'm Lindsay Davis in for David tonight. begin with historic launch of the Artemis 2 mission, the first crew journey around the moon in more than 50 years. The awesome sight the engines igniting the spacecraft lifting off propelled by one of the most powerful rockets ever made. First critical minutes of its

flight going off just as planned moments into the flight the solid rocket booster separating at the top of the rocket, four astronauts strapped into the Orion spacecraft, setting out on a 10-day mission deeper into space than any ever before. They will orbit the Earth before heading to the moon, circling around the dark side, then returning to Earth. The 10-day mission with a lofty goal to prepare the way for future flights to land astronauts on the dark side, then returning to Earth. The 10-day mission with a lofty goal to prepare the way for future flights

to land astronauts on the moon and build a permanent outpost there. ABC's Gio Benitez leads us off from the Kennedy Space Center tonight.

And here we go. 10, nine, eight, seven, RS-25 engines, lift, four, three, two, one. Booster ignition. And lift off. The crew of Artemis II now bound for the moon. Humanity's next great voyage begins. Tonight, the Artemis II mission is underway. Four astronauts on a 10-day mission to the

moon and back. Roger. roll pitch. The Orion spacecraft, lifting off, powered by that massive 322-foot-tall, 6-million-pound rocket, packed with more than 700,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and hydrogen.

Passing one minute, approaching max Q.

Crowds at Kennedy Space Center clamoring to watch it soar through the air.

The integrity guidance converged.

On board, Commander Reed Weissman, a 50-year-old fighter pilot and father of two from Baltimore, who's led multiple spacewalks while on board the International Space Station. In the pilot seat, Captain Victor Glover. He's from Pomona, California, and he and his wife,

Deanna, have four children. Mission specialist Christina Cook, who made history as part of an all-female spacewalk back in 2019, and Canadian mission specialist Jeremy Hansen. It's the father of three's first time going into space and the first Canadian to shoot to the Moon. Before launch, teams checking those suits, then just as astronauts have done in past

missions, a bit of superstition, playing cards until everyone loses a hand to leave bad luck behind. Then a group photo and a thank you to their support team. And just like the Apollo astronauts did before them some 50 years ago, the astronauts walking out of those famous doors to the outside world.

Thank you all for being out here. It's a great day for us.

Saying one final goodbye to their family and friends before they hopped in the Astrovan for the ride to Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. Their path lined with supporters waving flags and cheering, a quick thumbs up before taking the elevator up to the capsule. Teams in the sterile white room helping the astronauts with their gloves and helmets, then shutting the hatch door. The spacecraft,

about the size of a six-person tent, the astronauts nicknamed it Integrity. Orion will orbit the Earth for the first day as crews with mission control make sure all systems are working properly. Then, they'll slingshot towards the Moon and around it, seeing the far side of the Moon for the first time in more than half a century. Once they're out of the Moon's orbit, Earth's gravity takes over, and with the help of 12 thrusters that keep the capsule on track, Orion heads back to Earth. Hitting Earth's atmosphere at nearly 25,000 miles an hour,

Orion's heat shield will protect the crew from temperatures nearing 5,000 degrees before it splashes down in the Pacific.

Splashdown.

They won't land on the Moon. This mission is a quest to test the abilities of the Orion spacecraft, which NASA plans to use as America's vehicle for future lunar journeys as they work to establish a long-term presence there and hopefully use the moon as a base to explore other planets like

Mars.

And so Lindsay I got to tell you that being here it's quite incredible because you can feel the vibrations in the Earth as that lifts off in fact right at that moment, I almost feel it in my body right now, just watching it again there, because it was so palpable,

where you feel it coming up your body and really just making it all so emotional, because this, this is what is possible if humanity comes together, Lindsey.

What a unifying moment to witness, Gio, thank you. Next tonight, President Trump's first address to the nation since the start of the war with Iran. In the five weeks since, the president has offered conflicting signals on the reasons and goals of the conflict,

while here at home, polling shows Americans are eager for this war to end. ABC's chief White House correspondent, Mary Bruce, reports from the White House.

Tonight, five weeks after launching this war with Iran, President Trump, for the first time, set to address the nation in prime time.

We're finishing the job, and I think within maybe two weeks, maybe a couple of days longer, to do the job.

But it's not clear what conditions need to be met for the president to end this conflict. And while he's vowing this will be over soon, today he said in an interview, quote, we'll come back to do spot hits on Iranian targets as needed. According to the president, Iran is asking for a ceasefire. But Trump says the U.S. will only consider it when the Hormuz Strait is open, free and clear, saying until

then we are blasting Iran into oblivion, or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages. But moments later, Iran said they haven't asked for any ceasefire, one top official warning the U.S. the Strait of Hormuz will certainly reopen, but not for you. The president has argued it's up to other countries to reopen the strait. But Iran's chokehold on the critical waterway has sent gas prices

in the U.S. skyrocketing to over $4 a gallon. Trump insists those prices will come down quickly once the operation ends.

All I have to do is leave Iran, and we'll be doing that very soon. And they'll become

tumbling down.

Tonight's address comes after weeks of mixed messages and head-spinning threats from the president, and as polling shows, Americans are eager for this war to end. Sixty percent of Americans disapprove of the military operation, and two-thirds say the U.S. should work to end this conflict quickly. But the president insists his operation is succeeding. Just 24 hours ago, he said the U.S. had achieved his goal of preventing Iran from developing

a nuclear weapon, though he presented no evidence.

I had one goal. They will have no nuclear weapon. And that goal has been attained. They will not have nuclear weapons.

But today, Trump said he's not concerned about removing Iran's remaining stockpile of enriched uranium, saying that's so far underground. I don't care about that. And tonight, President Trump, frustrated with NATO allies who have refused to join the war effort even though he gave them no heads up, is again threatening to leave the alliance. Trump saying he is, quote, absolutely considering pulling the U.S. out of NATO.

Lindsay. Mary Bruce from the White House. Mary, thank you. And stay with us for the president's address to the nation at 9 p.m. Eastern, right here on ABC. Meanwhile, in the Middle East, the U.S. is striking new targets across Iran. The president is refusing to rule out

putting troops on the ground there. What we're learning tonight about the possible ground options President Trump was recently briefed on, and it comes amid the urgent search for an American journalist kidnapped in Baghdad, grabbed on the street and then driven away. ABC's Matt Rivers reports from the region tonight.

Tonight stunning new video as the U.S. unleashes furious attacks across Iran, with the world watching President Trump's speech. Huge explosions seen in video circulating online, this one in the city of Isfahan. Flames and smoke filling the sky. Officials tonight say more than 12,000 targets have been hit. And after those comments from President Trump today dismissing concerns about Iran's highly

enriched uranium, tonight a source telling ABC News the president was recently briefed on a variety of options to send ground troops into Iran, including the potential seizure of that highly enriched uranium. It would likely involve a large special operations force. Ground forces could also be used to seize Iran's key oil hub of Karg Island. No final decisions have been made, but with the Strait of Hormuz still effectively shut

down, there's no end in sight to those skyrocketing oil and gas prices. And in Iraq tonight, the FBI joining the urgent search for kidnapped American journalist Shelley

Kittleson, seen here struggling as she's forced into a car in Baghdad.

I do think that she was certainly targeted because she's American. Also that she is one of the very few journalists who goes into the region. A lot of people know her and it's possible that she was on the radar.

Iraqi authorities say an Iran-backed militia is behind the kidnapping. Lindsay, tonight, a U.S. official telling ABC News that that American journalist was warned of specific threats against her but chose to keep doing her work.

Lindsay? Matt Rivers in Doha for us, thank you. Back here now, the Supreme Court hearing arguments over the constitutionality of President Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship. President Trump there in the chamber,

face to face with the justices, most of them with sharp questions about his rationale. Here's ABC's Devin Dwyer.

Tonight, President Trump leaving the Supreme Court after a historic 90-minute first visit by a sitting president, as the government's attorney argued birthright citizenship has become exploited.

We're in a new world now, as Justice Alito pointed out to you, where 8 billion people

are one plane ride away from having a child who's a U.S. citizen.

Well, it's a new world.

It's the same Constitution. For more than a century, the 14th Amendment has given children born on U.S. soil U.S. citizenship, regardless of their parents' legal status. On day one, Trump tried to change that legacy by executive order, excluding children of unauthorized immigrants and temporary visitors like tourists. Today, as hundreds of immigrant advocates rallied outside the court, most of the justices signaled they aren't buying Trump's plan. Justice Neil Gorsuch pointing to the text of the Constitution's citizenship clause, which applies to all persons born

in the U.S. Justice Amy Coney Barrett wondering how officials would determine which newborns should be deported.

You're not going to know at the time of birth for some people whether they have the intent to stay or not.

And while Trump's order would only apply going forward, Justice Sonia Sotomayor

warning it could be used to take citizenship away. The government could move to unnaturalize people who were born here of illegal residents.

Lindsay, the president was attentive and expressionless inside that chamber, posting on social media afterwards that the U.S. is stupid for allowing birthright citizenship.

A ruling on the constitutionality of his order to end it is expected by the end of June.

Lindsey? Devin Dwyer, covering the courts for us. Thank you, Devin. Now to the New York man charged with using weapons of mass destruction after federal agents say they found more than two dozen pipe bombs in his home. Prosecutors say he put his entire neighborhood at risk. Here's ABC's Aaron Katursky.

Tonight prosecutors say this is the man accused of terrorizing his neighborhood north of New York City for weeks with homemade pipe bombs. Video obtained by WABC showing a man tossing an apparent explosive. Police said they found more than two dozen in the suspect's apartment. Federal agents descending on Raymond Elder's home in White Plains after neighbors reported hearing loud explosions early Monday morning.

Boom! And the second one went off, that's when the window shook.

When officers arrived, they said they smelled an acrid burning odor and found Elder's with a lighter and his hands were darkened by a bluish black chemical residue. This improvised explosive device made from a piece of PVC piping with a protruding fuse. One woman who lives near Elders told police she heard 10 loud booms in the last month. An Elders roommate pointed investigators to a purple suitcase that they said contained supplies for making bombs, including tubing and wiring,

wicks and chemicals. When authorities searched the residence, they said they found approximately 25 improvised explosive devices in various locations throughout the apartment. The suspect's being held tonight, Lindsay, on charges of using weapons of mass destruction. Prosecutors said he put his entire community at risk, though so far they've pointed to no specific motive.

Lindsay? Aaron, thank you. Next at the trial of the doctor in Hawaii accused of trying to kill his wife, his son testifying to what he says his father told him the day of the attack. And tonight the doctor taking the stand in his own defense. Here's ABC's Trevor Ault.

Peter Sonley, so are you affirmed that the testimony you're about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

I do. Tonight, the Hawaii doctor accused of trying to murder his wife on a birthday hike is taking the stand in his own defense, telling the jury about what he called an affair between his wife and one of her co-workers. It comes a day after stunning testimony from Gerhard Koenig's son, who testified minutes after the alleged attack. His father video called him and confessed. What did the defendant tell you during that call? It's close to

word for word as you can remember that he would not be making it back to Maui and to take good care of the younger kids and that he had that area. My

stepmom had been cheating on him

and that he tried to kill her. Prosecutors say Dr. Koenig tried pushing his wife, Ariel, off this high cliff and attempted to inject her with a syringe before hitting her repeatedly on the head with a jagged rock.

I asked what was on his shirt because it looked like I saw splatters of something on his shirt. And he said, oh, it's just her, meaning Arie's blood.

Dr. Koenig's defense attorneys say Ariel Koenig started the fight, and he acted in self-defense. Today, they called an expert who testified Ariel was hit fewer times than she claimed to police, and she did not sustain life-threatening injuries.

All of the injury was to the scalp itself, and that's all that was injured. The bone wasn't fractured. The brain wasn't injured.

Lindsay, Dr. Koenig's defense tonight, he ever confessed. If he's convicted, he could face life in prison. Lindsay?

Trevor, thank you. When we come back, a rock and roll legend is attacked in Santa Monica. A suspect reportedly tossing an unknown substance at Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsay Buckingham. Alleged CEO killer Luigi Mangione back in court. The FDA approves a new weight loss pill and Hershey is changing the Reese's peanut butter cup again. Next tonight, former Fleetwood Macintyre's Lindsey Buckingham has been attacked in Santa Monica. A woman allegedly doused him in with an unknown

substance and then fled the scene. Buckingham was not hurt. Police are searching for the suspect. A federal judge delaying the trial of accused CEO killer Luigi Mangione until October. Mangione in federal court today. His state trial in the killing of Brian Thompson also moved to September. He's pleaded not guilty to all counts. When we come back, a new and cheaper weight loss pill is about to hit the market. To the Index now. The FDA has approved a new GLP-1 weight loss drug in pill form.

Eli Lilly's Fondayo is expected to start being available on Monday. A monthly supply without insurance will start at $149 for the lowest dose. Hershey says it's returning to its classic recipe after a firestorm over changes to some of its more popular products. Among them, the iconic Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. Hershey came under fire after the grandson of the inventor of the peanut butter cup accused the company of using cheaper ingredients. Hershey says that its classic recipes will return next year.

After the break, we go back to the Artemis mission with a look inside the Orion capsule. Finally, with four astronauts now bound for the moon, we go inside the place they'll call home for the next 10 days. Tonight on this historic moon mission, the four astronauts answer the question, just how are they gonna live up there

in those cramped quarters together for 10 days?

All right, we're getting ready to get into the vehicle.

Pilot Victor Glover and the team give us a tour of the replica Orion spacecraft they're training in.

Heading in. Made it.

Just getting in takes a little bit of attention.

Commander Reid Wiseman shows us the kitchen.

I'm in the, basically the kitchen, so that's just the kitchen sink. This is where we need to come to pour water in our glass and drink it. And for dinner time? Our food warmer which is a briefcase here and if we had food in it I would be opening it up and showing you how awesome it is. The gym. This is the

flywheel exercise device. This is one of the things that we have to sort of think

in a zero-g environment. Mission specialist Christina Cook shows us where they'll sleep.

I'm gonna be hanging like a bat is my plan but I won't even know it because there's no gravity.

Putting you down on the deck and now you're looking straight up into the docking tunnel.

Tonight the grand tour and the crew says they are ready for this mission and for the out of

this world views. The windows are going to draw the crew together.

We're going to see some cool things out those windows.

Cool indeed. I'm Lindsay Davis. Thanks so much for watching. Good night.

David Muir, the most trusted anchor in America, the most watched anchor in America. Thank you for making World News Tonight with David Muir, Thank you for making World News Tonight with David Muir,

the number one newscast in America.