NPR News Now: January 20, 2026, 5AM EST

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now segment, anchored by Dave Mattingly, delivers top headlines from the U.S. and around the world. The episode predominantly covers President Trump’s controversial push to acquire Greenland, related European diplomatic fallout, the influence of Project 2025 on Trump’s presidency, a deadly train crash in Spain, Indiana’s college football victory, ongoing effects of Mpox, and sharp drops in stock futures amid global political uncertainty.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. President Trump’s Pursuit of Greenland and European Fallout

[00:19-01:32]

• President Trump is making Greenland a central topic at the upcoming World Economic Forum, threatening 10% tariffs on eight NATO-aligned European nations opposed to his proposal.
  • “President Trump's insistence that the U.S. acquire Greenland for national security reasons is expected to be a major issue...” – Dave Mattingly (00:19)
• European leaders are both shocked and united by what they view as extreme American pressure.
  • Bernard Guetta, European Parliament member:
    • “Trump's inflammatory threat to slap tariffs on any country that tries to stop him from taking Greenland went too far.” (00:49)
  • Franco Ordonez reports:
    • “‘All the countries and all the political forces were so shocked, deeply shocked by this incredible attitude. Actually, Mr. Trump is making the European unity much stronger every day.’” – Bernard Guetta (00:59)
  • European officials remain cautious due to reliance on U.S. support for Ukraine but signal willingness to retaliate.
    • “Guetta says Europe has been taking it from the Trump administration because it can't afford to lose U.S. support on Ukraine. But there are limits... the EU is ready to apply counter sanctions and more.” (01:18)

2. Project 2025 and Trump’s Second Term

[01:32-02:43]

• Despite distancing himself from Project 2025, President Trump has enacted many of its Heritage Foundation-driven conservative policies during his second term.
  • “President Trump has implemented many of the policies organized by the Heritage foundation in his second term in the White House.” – Dave Mattingly (01:32)
• Policies like Immigration Enforcement and dismantling the Department of Education echo Project 2025’s blueprint.
  • “Trump tapped Russell Vogt, an architect of Project 2025, to lead his budget office and soon unleashed a flurry of orders reshaping the government, many of which were outlined in Project 2025, from Immigration Enforcement to dismantling the Department of Education.” – Franco Ordonez (01:56)
• Presidential historian Tevy Troy sees this as typical think tank behavior, though with a distinctly Trumpian edge.
  • “I would say that Project 2025 was largely standard conservative fare, but with a bit more of a MAGA flavor than previously.” – Tevy Troy (02:25)
  • Franco Ordonez adds:
    • “Troy says Trump may have attracted scrutiny by trying to distance himself from Project 2025.” (02:33)

3. High-Speed Train Crash in Spain

[02:43-03:32]

• A catastrophic train accident in southern Spain has left at least 40 dead and many more injured.
  • “The president of the region describes the rail cars involved as a mass of twisted metal. At least 40 people are confirmed dead. Dozens were injured.” – Dave Mattingly (02:53)
• The cause is unclear; authorities believe more bodies will be found.

4. Indiana’s Historic College Football Championship

[03:32-03:57]

• Indiana celebrates its first national championship in college football, capping an undefeated 16–0 season by beating Miami 27–21.
  • “Indiana intercepted a pass by Miami quarterback Carson Beck with less than a minute remaining to seal the victory.” – Dave Mattingly (03:32)

5. Lingering Effects of Mpox

[03:57-04:41]

• New research shows Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) can cause symptoms lasting up to 18 months.
  • “Nearly 60% of patients in a study reported at least one lingering symptom.” – Dave Mattingly (03:57)
• The most common lingering symptom is scarring, while 13% experience ongoing physical problems; psychological impacts are also reported.
  • “Many reported lasting psychological issues, too, from depression to difficulty socializing.” – Jonathan Lambert (04:24)
• Data was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

6. Market Reactions and Economic Concerns

[04:41-04:58]

• Global political tension over Greenland is rattling financial markets.
  • “Wall street futures are sharply lower this morning because of investor concerns about the rising political tensions over the future of Greenland. Dow futures are down 826 points.” – Dave Mattingly (04:41)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “Trump's inflammatory threat to slap tariffs on any country that tries to stop him from taking Greenland went too far.”
  — Bernard Guetta, European Parliament, via Eleanor Beardsley (00:49)
• “‘All the countries and all the political forces were so shocked, deeply shocked by this incredible attitude. Actually, Mr. Trump is making the European unity much stronger every day.’”
  — Bernard Guetta (00:59)
• "I would say that Project 2025 was largely standard conservative fare, but with a bit more of a MAGA flavor than previously."
  — Tevy Troy, Presidential historian (02:25)
• “Many reported lasting psychological issues, too, from depression to difficulty socializing.”
  — Jonathan Lambert, Health Correspondent (04:24)
• “Dow futures are down 826 points.”
  — Dave Mattingly (04:41)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:19 | U.S. moves on Greenland and European response | | 01:32 | Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation, and Trump’s policies | | 02:43 | Deadly train crash in Spain | | 03:32 | Indiana wins college football championship | | 03:57 | Long-term effects of Mpox | | 04:41 | Wall Street futures drop amid geopolitical tension |

This concise yet information-packed NPR News Now episode delivers immediate coverage of fast-moving events in politics, international relations, sports, health, and financial markets, reflecting NPR’s trademark tone of calm urgency and fact-based reporting.