Cornell rape accuser receives threats and poll shows Latino voters abandoning Trump: Weekend review

The woman who claims she was sexually assaulted by Cornell University fraternity members has received threats pressuring her to drop her lawsuit, her lawyer said.

Thomas Giuffra told CNN’s “State of the Union” that people trying to discover his client’s identity also targeted at least three women mistakenly identified as her. The former Cornell student is identified as Jane Doe in court documents.

Doe filed a lawsuit last month against Cornell and seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity, alleging she was sexually assaulted for several hours on Oct. 19 and 20, 2024, while under the influence of ketamine, alcohol and marijuana.

The lawsuit has sparked renewed scrutiny of how the university and local authorities have handled the allegations. Gov. Kathy Hochul last week appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to determine whether criminal charges are appropriate.

More Cornell news:

• 2024 survey: Cornell police spoke with witnesses and received anonymous tips about an alleged gang rape at a fraternity house during the first weeks of their investigation two years ago. But the local prosecutor has not reviewed the additional information before deciding not to file a complaint.
• Arrest at Chi Phi: Police records also show that university police made a drug arrest at a fraternity house 22 hours before the woman claimed she was drugged and sexually assaulted there.
• Statement from the President: Michael Kotlikoff said in a video message Saturday, what Doe alleges is “deeply disturbing” and raises questions about the investigation that followed.

Remarkable quote

As the Cornell case continues to attract national attention, online parents are sharing how they teach their children to challenge a culture that allows sexual violence to persist.

Poll: Latino voters moving away from Trump and Republicans

Latin American voters contributed to Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Now they’re turning against him, new NBC News/Telemundo poll finds — a change that gives Democrats a major opportunity to capitalize on midterm elections that could hinge on states and districts with large Latino populations.

Like the broader electorate, Latino voters are concerned about high prices and Trump’s approach to immigration control.

The president’s approval rating stands at 27% among Latino voters. Two-thirds say his administration’s deportation policies have gone too far, and three-quarters disapprove of how he has handled the economy and the cost of living. And Democrats have a 24-point lead over who Latino voters want to see control of Congress, 59% to 35%.

“Meet the press”

Former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel called on Democratic lawmakers to set aside plans for impeachment President Donald Trump if they win a majority in the House, pushing them to pass a package of ethics reforms.

Asked directly on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” whether Democrats should impeach themselves in January if they take the House gavel, Emanuel said: “Short answer: No, because it’s not going to go anywhere, and it’s going to be a food fight, and it’s just going to be a return to fighting politics.”

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said in a separate “Meet the Press” interview that he was considering running for president in 2028.

“My plans right now are to run for office, but as I’ve said before, if I no longer think I can be effective in the Senate, I would think about it,” Kennedy said.

Politics in brief

• “Get Out and Vote”: Trump rallied Saturday to Republicans in competitive Ohio races for Senate and governor, predicting the party will defy expectations in a turbulent midterm election climate.
• “The elephant in the room”: The ex-wife of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton urged voters to support all Republicans in a new ad, even though she neglected to name Paxton directly.
• “Call Tom on his cell phone”: Trump seemed share Senator Tom Cotton’s cell phone number in a social media post about the stalled DST bill.

6 presumed dead after medical plane crashes off Nantucket

The operator of an aerial evacuation plane that vanished from the map in waters off New England said Sunday he was facing “a heartbreaking reality.” that all on board are dead.

Canada-based Latitude Air Ambulance said in a statement that the flight, which appeared to have crashed off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, was carrying a patient, a family escort for the patient and four Latitude crew members.

The six people on board were four Canadians and two Bermudians. A source familiar with the matter told NBC News that the Bermudians were a patient and the patient’s son.

Air traffic controllers lost contact with the Gulfstream G100 jet early Saturday as it was flying from Bermuda to Boston. The search for the passengers was suspended at sunset Sunday, after 66 hours spent combing the seas with the help of partner agencies, the coast guard said in a statement.

Governor says Tennessee prison chief resigns after failed execution of Christa Pike

The head of the Tennessee prison system resigns after failed execution of Christa PikeGovernor Bill Lee announced Saturday.

In response to news of his resignation, Pike’s lawyers told NBC News that Department of Corrections Commissioner Frank Strada’s departure was “justified, but it does nothing to help Christa now.”

“What happened to him on Wednesday reflects a systemic failure that goes well beyond any one person,” they said. Pike remained unresponsive in the hospital Friday.

Pike remained unconscious and on a ventilator in a hospital for the four days following her botched execution in Tennessee, and her prognosis may not be known for days to come, one of his lawyers said on Sunday.

Taylor Swift appears on ‘SNL’ to joke with host Dakota Johnson

Pop music icon Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance on “Saturday Night Live,” joining her friend and the episode’s host, Dakota Johnson, for laughs.

Swift appeared on stage during Johnson’s opening monologue to address her role as the movie star’s “literal therapist,” in Johnson’s words.

The pop star made another appearance during the encore, bringing out a blue and white cake for Johnson’s birthday.

In case you missed it

• Early indications suggest Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking captain and trying to take control of Israel-bound plane acted aloneseveral U.S. officials have been briefed on the investigation and a former Israeli security official told NBC News.

• Dual British and Iranian national arrested on suspicion of planning terror attack following security incident at US-run military base in England was released on bailauthorities said.
• Yemen’s Houthis say they attacked an Aramco oil facility in Riyadh with missiles and drones.
• A A 12-year-old girl was killed and three other people were injured when gunfire erupted Saturday amid an apparent argument over parking in a Baltimore park, officials said.