ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - May 23, 2026

David Muir, ABC's World News Tonight, America's most -watched newscast.Now streaming same day with all the breaking news of the day on Disney+.Most -watched, most -trusted.Now on Disney +, every night.

Breaking news tonight, reports of dozens of shots fired at the White House.The Secret Service clearing the White House North Lawn.Reporters told to rush inside, taking shelter in the briefing room.What we've just learned with late details coming in.First, the urgent operation underway in Southern California.The governor now declaring a state of emergency.

Crews hosing down a chemical storage tank for a second day.Officials fearing a spill of toxic chemicals used to make plastics or worse, an explosion that could endanger an entire in the mourning the 41 -year -old father of two.The surging Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, hundreds of suspected cases reported, nearly 200 dead, and the new procedures for screening passengers at U .S.airports with the World Cup less than three weeks away.The holiday weekend washed out for much of the eastern half of the country and a major flood threat in the south.

Our weather team is timing it out.Hawaii's Big Island rattled by a magnitude 6 .0 earthquake.Rock slides reported and damage in multiple homes.homes.SpaceX celebrating the latest test of the world's most powerful rocket, while the company is calling it a success despite some issues.Last call for a classic American beer that was once the top seller.

And America Strong this seven -year-old who became the youngest to summit El Capitan.Tonight, what he told us about breaking the record.

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

Good evening, I'm Wade Johnson.We want to get right to our breaking news.Reports of dozens of shots fired near the White House.The Secret Service clearing the White House north lawn.News reporters rushing inside, taking shelter in the briefing room.ABC's senior White House correspondent, Selena Wang, was outside when this all unfolded.

And Selena, you are now back outside.You were taking shelter in the briefing room for a moment.But what are you learning about what happened?

Yeah, what we were just allowed back outside and actually you can see I'm here on the North Lawn.There's that gate for the White House and right beyond it you can see the law enforcement vans, the police vans with the flashing lights.That is 17th Street in Pennsylvania Avenue.That is where Secret Service says they're aware of reports of shots being fired.We're also just hearing wit from FBI Director Kash Patel.He says that the FBI is on the scene and Secret Service is also responding to those shots fired near the White House grounds.

He says he'll be updating the public as they're able to.Now, as you mentioned, we were actually just in our live shot position.You can see over there under the green tents, getting ready to tape for world news tonight for this very show, when suddenly we heard what sounded like dozens of gunshots fired.So we immediately got down.Then we heard yelling for us to evacuate into the press briefing room.So all of us in the White House press corps who were out here doing our evening news live shots, we all sprinted into the briefing room and were huddled there waiting to get updates.

There was a Secret Service agent who was posted outside, so we were basically locked in, not able to leave.We were holed up there for about more than 30 minutes, and then eventually we were able to go safely back outside, but we are still locked in.information about what exactly happened with.

Well Selena we are grateful you and the team are safe and we appreciate your reporting tonight.Thank you.We move on now to the state of emergency in Southern California.Crews working around the clock to prevent an environmental disaster.A chemical leak coming from a large storage tank could cause a dangerous spill or an explosion.Authorities are calling this a, quote, crisis situation.

Here's ABC's Jacqueline Lee reporting from the command center in Orange County.

Tonight, California Governor Gavin Newsom issuing a state of emergency in Orange County as officials race to contain a potentially catastrophic situation at a chemical plant.At least 50 ,000 people already forced to evacuate.

I left.

With mandatory evacuations expanding in this densely populated area, at least a dozen schools were shut down.Nursing homes, hospitals and fire stations also forced to evacuate.If there is an explosion, how will this impact the environment and the residents who live here?

It would be devastating.The flammability is still there, but the reactivity is not.

A company spokesperson saying in a statement they are working with experts to resolve the issue quickly.Crews also trying to cool down the tank using sprinklers.Authorities say they're preparing for the possibility of the liquid chemical to leak out.Whit, authorities say they are preparing for the tank to fail, but they are consulting with experts across the country to find solutions.Whit?

Still very much an active scene on the ground there.Jack and Leigh, thank you.The White House is signaling tonight that the nearly three -month -old war with Iran could be nearing an end.President Trump saying moments ago that a deal is, quote, largely negotiated, and it would include opening the Strait of Hormuz.Here's ABC's Alex Pritchett.

Tonight, President Trump says a peace deal with Iran will be announced shortly.He says the agreement has largely been negotiated and remains subject to finalization by all parties, Trump vowing that this deal will open the Street of Hormuz.Trump making the announcement after a call with Gulf leaders and officials from Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and a separate call with Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu.

There's been some progress done.

Today, Iran's foreign ministry says the two sides are in the final stages of drafting a framework that would give 30 to 60 days to hash out a broader agreement.

They want to settle so badly.We have the greatest military.

It's been two months since Trump vowed to obliterate Iran's power plants within 48 hours if Iran didn't fully open the Strait of Hormuz.Yet tonight, the strait is still closed and the cost is hitting home.Gas prices soaring, the national average now up to $4 .49, up $1 .55 since the start of the war.And according to Gas Buddy, 16 states are on track to have their highest prices for gas on Memorial Day.Yet the president insisting the pain will be short -lived.

By the way, the oil prices are going to tumble as soon as I finish up with Iran.

But it's not just the gas at the pump.Food and airfare all surging because of the war.Some Americans forced to pull back plans for the big travel weekend.

I know a lot of individuals who are suffering tremendously under increases in pricing for food, for gas, for everything.

Our thanks to Alex Brachet for that report.We're learning more tonight about the tragic and sudden death of NASCAR legend,Busch.His family saying that the 41 year old father of two died from severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis.His passing triggering a wave of grief, tributes and new questions tonight.Here's ABC's Morgan Norwood.

As fans and the NASCAR world prepare to honor Kyle Busch at the Coca -Cola 600 this weekend, his family now saying he died after serious pneumonia progressed into sepsis.

The most common cause of sepsis from infections is pneumonia, and it just overwhelms the body's immune system, and then that bacteria spreads to the blood, which causes this reaction.

That medical emergency unfolding Wednesday when Busch was at a Chevrolet racing simulator in North Carolina, according to the Associated Press.Dispatchers taking this frantic call for help.

Tell me exactly what's happening.

I've got an individual that's shortness of breath, very hot.Thinks he's going to pass out, and he's got his produce a little bit of blood, coughing up some blood.

Bush rushed to the hospital, his family announcing his death the next day.The father of two was just 41.

Even though the people who are most vulnerable for sepsis, for getting complications, are young children, the elderly, or people with underlying medical conditions, it really can affect anyone.

Bush's cause of death also raising questions about whether something may have been wrong weeks before he was rushed to the hospital.On May 10th, Bush requesting medical help race at Watkins Glen.And one week later, Bush back on the track, pushing through to win the Truck Series event at Dover.

You can kind of still hear it.I'm still not not great, but the.

As fans remember the racing Titan Richard Childress racing, rolling out the number 33, retiring the iconic number eight now held for Bush's son, Brexton.

And what Cowbush's presence will be felt all over the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Take a look.It's number eight freshly painted on.grassy infield there We're also learning that all 39 drivers in the coca -cola 600 will ride along with his decal in their cars With all right morgan norwood for us tonight.

Thank you Now to the urgent race to contain the ebola outbreak in central africa three red cross volunteers now among the newly reported cases And with the world cup less than three weeks away what health officials here in the us are doing to screen travelers from overseas Here's the ABC's Marcus Moore.

Tonight, as a deadly Ebola outbreak ravages parts of the Congo, the International Red Cross says three of its volunteers are among the new reported cases.The agency says they were infected in March, weeks before the latest outbreak was discovered, and they are among the first known cases.Now, there are nearly 750 suspected cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including 176 deaths.And a number of infections reported in neighboring Uganda.including a death.As they try to stop the spread of the virus, health officials are facing numerous challenges in the region.

We are operating in a very complex environment, and the main challenges include community fears, misinformation, and rumors.Another challenge is that the population movement between health zones.

That misinformation part of the growing anger and frustration among the public.Last week, friends of some of the outbreak's victims setting a medical tent ablaze in the eastern part of the country, according to doctors there.A second medical tent set on fire last night, according to health officials.The Associated Press reporting at least 18 people with suspected Ebola ran from those tents where they were receiving treatment.It comes as health officials implement new measures to prevent the spread of the virus in the U .S.

U .S.citizens who've been to impacted countries in the region are now findingto airports in Virginia and Atlanta for temperature checks and health screenings. NoNo foreign visitors from the region are allowed, including U .S.

green card holders.

Our number one thing has to be we can't have it affect the United States.We can't have Ebola cases coming here.

All of this is unfolding as the U .S.prepares to host the FIFA World Cup.The DRC's team, set for its first berth in 52 years, is expected to arrive in just a few weeks.The White House demanding that the team maintain a bubble in Europe where they are now for 21 days or risk being banned from entering the U .S.

And tonight, Reuters reports that a team spokesperson has said that they are not changing their schedule.And with that spokesperson, according to Reuters, is suggesting that the schedule isn't changing because their players are not traveling to the U .S.from the Congo.Meanwhile, doctors there say misinformation in the country and stigma surrounding the disease are creating a dynamic and complex situation.

Another concern in all of this.Okay, Marcus, thank you.Back here in the U .S., a 6 .0 magnitude earthquake rocked Hawaii's Big Island on Friday night.Thousands of people reported feeling the shaking.

Here's meteorologist Danny Backstrom.

Tonight, a damaging 6 .0 earthquake striking Hawaii's Big Island.

Oh, my God.Oh, my God.The tremors felt throughout the state, shaking Hawaiians inside their homes just before 10 p .m.These nice things are all smashed.Several rock slides reported this road just south of Hawaii's Captain Cook region on the island's west coast left impassable.

Roughly 500 customers in the region without power, according to Hawaii County's mayor.

If you need to drive, please drive with caution.

Roadway crews are out clearing debris.Hawaii's Big Island is home to the Hawaii Volcano National Park, a popular tourist destination for its volcanic eruptions.The United States Geological Survey saying the quake was caused by stress due to bending of the oceanic plate and that it was not directed.related to the volcanoes on the island.

AND TURNING TO THE WEATHER PICTURE NOW, METEOROLOGIST DANNY BECKSTROM FROM OUR NEW YORK STATION W -A -B -C IS JOINING ME.DANNY, YOU'RE ALSO TRACKING THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND WASHOUT FOR MUCH OF THE EASTERN HALF OF THE COUNTRY.

AT LEAST THE NORTHEAST WARMS UP AND DRIES OUT BY MEMORIAL DAY PLANS MONDAY AFTERNOON.BUT TONIGHT AND TOMORROW STAYS SOGGY.I WANT TO WALK YOU THROUGH IT.IT IS A COLD RAIN IN THE NORTHEAST BUT STORMY IN THE SOUTH.A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN THE TEXAS PANHANDLE TONIGHT.FLOOD WATCHES FROM TEXAS UP THROUGH OHIO.

WE HAVE A FEW MORE INCHES TO GO ON TOP OF ALREADY Northeast dries out as we move into Monday.Still could be unsettled in the morning, but the second half of the day looks salvageable with highs closer to seasonal averages.For the West, it's mainly hot and dry, some isolated thunderstorms in the Rockies, but the Southeast will stay stormy into the week with some improvement, but we gotta wait.

OK, thanks Danny.Overseas now to the deadly coal mine explosion in China.At least 82 people were killed, dozens more hospitalized and several still missing.ABC's Brit Klenet is tracking the developments and Brit, what more are you learning about the blast?

With the death toll from that gas explosion here in northern China now at 82, officials revising it from 90, but now saying two people are missing in this country's worst mining disaster in 16 years.Hundreds of rescue workers are still operating at the site in Shanxi Province.More than 120 people were taken to hospital following that explosion at about 7 .30 on Friday night.Chinese President Xi Jinping, meanwhile, he's called for an investigation into what went wrong and said those responsible must be held to account.state media here reporting that officials running the mine have been taken into custody.

Brett Klanit with those breaking details.Now to the successful launch of SpaceX's massive Starship rocket.It comes as the company appears headed for a historic initial public offering that could make founder Elon Musk the world's first trillionaire.Let's bring in ABC'sAndrew Dimbert.And Andrew, there were some challenges with this launch.

Some challenges, some issues, but SpaceX saying that this was overall a success.The company launching its biggest, most powerful Starship yet.This newly upgraded rocket blasting off from South Texas near the Mexican border.This was the company's 12th unmanned Starship test flight, deploying 20 mock Starlink satellites in space during the flight.Now NASA is counting on Elon Musk's Starship for its Artemis program.This test flight was supposed to launch Thursday, and while there were some mechanical issues with the booster and Starship engines when the flight launched Friday, again, SpaceX says this was a success.

The company also says that Starship is designed to be fully reusable, with long -term plans to carry both cargo and people to the Moon, and then eventually Mars.This rocket launched just days after Elon Musk also announced that he plans to take his company, SpaceX, public.

Andrew Dimbert, our thanks to you tonight.There's much more ahead on World News tonight.This Saturday, the search for answers after a deadly explosion and fire in New York City.And it's the end of an era for one of America's oldest beers.Next night, New York City fire officials are trying to determine what caused a series of explosions on board a barge.One person was killed, 34 firefighters and emergency medical workers were injured at the shipyard on Staten Island.

Several barge workers were trapped below deck but later rescued.The Music World is remembering an artist who helped bring hip -hop into the mainstream.Rob Bass was best known for the 1988 hit, It Takes Two, along with his late partner DJ EZ Rock.Bass died after battling cancer.He was 59 years old.When we come back, will the home court advantage help the Cleveland Cavaliers?

We'll preview game three.To the index now, the Cleveland Cavaliers hope a change of scenery makes a difference in the NBA's Eastern Conference Finals.The New York Knickshave different ideas leading the series two games to none winning game two on Thursday 109 to 93.Tonight the series shifts to Cleveland and you can watch game three later this evening right here on ABC.It's last call for the beer that made Milwaukee famous.

Today, a final batch of Schlitz beer is being brewed in Wisconsin.Schlitz was founded in 1849 and was once the largest brewer in the US.The label is now owned by former rival Pabst, which has decided to end production.Still ahead, his middle name is Danger, what a seven -year -old told us after setting a rock climbing record.Finally tonight, the little boy and the historic summit.History made at Yosemite National Park.

Seven -year -old Joey Danger Evermore, and yes, that is his middle name, becoming the youngest person to ascend El Capitan.Recognized as the world's largest granite cliff, rising 7 ,573 feet above sea level.

Yeah, dude.Say, I'm going to the moon.

A five -day ascent up the sheer granite face made with his father and two brothers.The family of climbers from Colorado Springs.Joey, who was six when he started, turning seven on the climb.Yeah, dude.Joey reacting to breaking the record, which was previously held by his older brother, Sam.

Breaking the record is really cool.And doing an impossible thing with my family means more with my dad up there.Look at this wild man. I'm the third brother of the crime, El Capitan, and it's amazing.

And the adventure came with a new name.another surprise when Joey learned he has a sister on the way.

We found out we're having a new baby, and it's a girl, and I'm taking her up.

That's so cool, dude.And tonight, Joey's proud dad, Joe, hoping to inspire others to dream big.

Do hard, big things with your kids.Be intentional.It's the best time of their life, and it's the best time of mine.It'll be the best time of yours.

Just incredible.Have a great 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, the number one newscast in America.