Anderson Cooper 360

A new report from the New York Times alleges “federal investigators established a trail of payments from Matt Gaetz,” President-elect Trump’s pick for attorney general, “to women including some who testified that Mr. Gaetz hired them for sex.” According to the Times, the chart they obtained ”shows a web of thousands of dollars in Venmo payments between Mr. Gaetz and a group of his friends, associates, and women who had drug-fueled sex parties between 2017 and 2020.” Gaetz denies any wrongdoing since these allegations surfaced. The report comes after Republicans on the House Ethics Committee blocked the release of a report on the former Florida congressman. Kaitlan Collins is near Mar-a-lago with how this new report could further complicate Gaetz's nomination. Plus, 30 years after Susan Smith drowned her two children and blamed it on a black carjacker, she is up for parole. Gary Tuchman looks at the infamous case, her argument to go free, and how the parole board ruled.

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Tomorrow the House Ethic Committee is expected to discuss the fate of its report on Matt Gaetz, President-elect Trump's choice for attorney general. The former Florida congressman has denied accusations he had sex with a minor years ago. Plus, John King has a new "All Over The Map" report. He goes back to Iowa to speak with voters who initially said they would not vote for Donald Trump but are now glad they did.

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Tonight, a look at the continuing controversy surrounding President-elect Trump's nominations for attorney general and defense secretary. We’ve learned Trump is calling some senators directly to discuss his AG pick, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, and ask for their support, two sources familiar with the outreach told CNN. Plus, Trump made his return to NYC’s Madison Garden over the weekend for a UFC event. Donie O'Sullivan spoke to young fight fans who helped elected him and got insight on where they got the the information that helped them decide.

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There’s new reporting tonight about Matt Gaetz, President-elect Trump’s pick for attorney general. The attorney who represents two of the women who were witnesses in the House Ethics Committee probe into former Republican congressman confirmed on Friday that one of his clients saw Gaetz having sex with a minor. "My client testified to the House Ethics Committee that she witnessed Matt Gaetz having sex with a minor," attorney Joel Leppard said. A spokesperson for Gaetz responded to the report with, "Merrick Garland's DOJ cleared Matt Gaetz and didn't charge him. Are you alleging Garland is part of a cover up?” The Department of Justice pursued a yearslong sex-crimes investigation into Gaetz but ultimately decided last year not to pursue criminal charges against him. Plus, for the first time in nearly two decades, Mike Tyson will return to professional boxing tonight and take on 27-year-old former YouTube star Jake Paul in a highly anticipated fight. Randi Kaye looks at how both men got to this moment.

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President-elect Donald Trump spoke Thursday night from Mar-a-Lago, where he announced he plans to nominate North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, his former opponent in the 2024 presidential race, as Interior Secretary. Earlier in the day, Trump tapped Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his choice for the next Health and Human Services Secretary. Kennedy has been one of the nation’s most outspoken vaccine skeptics and a Covid-19 conspiracy theorists. "For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health," Trump said in a statement today. “HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives,” added Trump. Plus, Gary Tuchman visits the Pennsylvania county that swung more to the right than any other in that battleground state in 2024 and talks to voters.

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The House Ethics Committee was due to meet this week to vote on releasing a report about Matt Gaetz, who resigned from Congress on Wednesday after President-elect Donald Trump announced he will nominate Gaetz for attorney general, according to two sources familiar with the discussions. If confirmed, Gaetz would take over the nation’s top law enforcement agency - the same one that pursued a years-long sex-crimes investigation into the congressman. The Justice Department ultimately decided last year not to pursue criminal charges against him. Plus, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat who could be part of a confirmation hearing - if one is held - speaks to Anderson aboutTrump's cabinet picks and staff nominations so far.  Also, former Trump friend Geraldo Rivera gives his take on the recent appointees, quite a few of whom are former Fox colleagues and guests.

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President-elect Trump announced several key appointments Tuesday evening, including naming Fox News host and Army veteran Pete Hegseth as his pick for secretary of defense, GOP lawyer Bill McGinley as White House counsel, John Ratcliffe as CIA director, and Rep. Mike Waltz as national security adviser. Trump also announced Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead the new “Department of Government Efficiency.” Plus, Donie O'Sullivan checks back in with a January 6th rioter and grandmother now in prison who is convinced Trump is going to pardon her. 

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President-elect Donald Trump is in the process of filling several key positions for his new administration. Tonight, we learned he has asked Republican Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida to serve as his national security adviser, according to a source. Also, the New York Times is reporting that Sen. Marco Rubio is expected to be named his secretary of state. Earlier it was announced Trump picked Rep. Elise Stefanik as UN ambassador and Stephen Miller is expected to serve as his White House deputy chief of staff for policy. CNN’s Kaitlan Collins joins Anderson with more on the jockeying among Trump allies at Mar-a-Lago. Also, a conviction in the 2017 murders of two Indiana teenage girls and the video from the cell phone of one of the victim’s that played a part.

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There's been a flurry of activity at Mar-a-Lago, with individuals eager to get face time with the president-elect and jockeying for positions in his administration. CNN's Kaitlan Collins has more details on the recent activity in West Palm Beach, Florida and on the post-election day relationship between Donald Trump and his tech-tycoon supporter, Elon Musk. Plus, a closer look at Trump’s successful effort to win more support from Black voters. 

CNN’s Omar Jimenez reports from Philadelphia. 

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President-elect Donald Trump has named his campaign manager, Susie Wiles, as his White House chief of staff. She is his first cabinet pick and will be the first woman ever to hold the title. We have new details on the other names being considered for high-profile positions. Plus, former deputy FBI director Andrew McCabe on what the Justice Department could look like in a second Trump administration.

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