NPR News Now – February 6, 2026, 10PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode, anchored by Ryland Barton, delivers rapid updates on notable national and international events. Key themes include social media controversy involving former President Trump, renewed U.S.–Iran diplomatic tensions, economic moves impacting the beef market, troubling influenza trends among children, FEMA staff cuts, a legal probe into TikTok's design, and debunked rumors surrounding ski jumping at the Winter Olympics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s Racist Truth Social Post ([00:15])

• Incident: A racist post depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes was shared on President Trump's Truth Social account.
• Trump’s Response: He denied full awareness, stating someone else posted the content and expressing no intent to apologize.
  • Quote: “I guess during the end of it, there was some kind of a picture that people don't like. I wouldn't like it either, but I didn't see it. I just, I looked at the first part.” – Donald Trump [00:33]
• Obama Response: An Obama spokesperson noted that the former president would not comment.

2. U.S.–Iran Relations: Indirect Talks Resume Amid Tensions ([00:43])

• Situation: High-stakes, indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran took place in Oman, against the backdrop of U.S. military presence and President Trump’s threats of force.
• Demands: The U.S. seeks Iranian concessions on nuclear activities, cessation of support for proxies (e.g., Hamas, Hezbollah), and limits on ballistic missiles.
  • Quote: "Trump has said he wants Iran to make concessions on its nuclear program and end its support for armed proxies such as Hamas and Hezbollah." – Jackie Northam [01:10]
• Protest Suppression: The issue of Iran's protest crackdowns reportedly did not arise during the meeting.

3. Trump’s Executive Order to Increase Beef Imports from Argentina ([01:34])

• Decision: President Trump signed an order to boost beef imports from Argentina.
• Justification: The administration cites severe weather, low cattle supplies, and record beef prices as driving factors.
  • Quote: “…cumulatively resulted in higher beef prices for US Consumers.” – Franco Ordonez [01:46]
• Political Pushback: Some Republicans argue this policy could harm the U.S. agriculture industry.

4. Spike in Pediatric Flu Deaths; CDC Adjusts Recommendations ([02:27])

• Update: The CDC reports eight new child deaths due to influenza; the US child flu death toll this season rises to 52.
• Epidemiological Trend: Flu cases are climbing again, suggesting a potential second peak in what’s already an intense flu season.
• Controversy: Despite the severity, the CDC recently stopped recommending routine flu shots for all children, a move labeled as controversial.
  • Quote: “The new deaths come as the number of people getting treated for flu like symptoms has started to rise again. That suggests that the nation may be facing a second peak of flu cases…” – Rob Stein [02:33]

5. FEMA Resumes Staff Cuts Amid Disaster Preparedness Concerns ([03:11])

• Policy Change: FEMA reinstates staff reductions paused during severe winter storms.
• Concerns Raised: Emergency managers argue the cuts are indiscriminate and threaten disaster response capability.

6. EU Investigation: TikTok’s Addictiveness Under Scrutiny ([03:11])

• Allegation: Official EU probe finds TikTok’s features (infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications) breach the Digital Services Act by promoting compulsive usage.
  • Quote: "…fuel the urge to keep scrolling and shift the brain of users into autopilot mode. That may lead to compulsive behavior and could harm the physical and mental well, well being of its users, including minors." – John Ruich [03:47]
• TikTok Response: The company calls the findings "false and misleading" and vows to challenge them.

7. Ski Jumping Rumor Debunked ([04:27])

• Rumor: Reports alleged some male ski jumpers were using groin padding to justify larger suits (and thus gain distance) for Winter Olympics events.
• Official Response: The sport’s governing body dismissed the claims as “a wild rumor.”

Most Notable Quotes

• On Truth Social Post:
  "I wouldn't like it either, but I didn't see it. I just, I looked at the first part."
  — Donald Trump [00:33]

• On U.S.–Iran Talks:
  "Trump has said he wants Iran to make concessions on its nuclear program and end its support for armed proxies such as Hamas and Hezbollah."
  — Jackie Northam [01:10]

• On Rising Flu Trend:
  "That suggests that the nation may be facing a second peak of flu cases in what has already been an unusually severe flu season."
  — Rob Stein [02:33]

• On TikTok’s Addictive Design:
  "…fuel the urge to keep scrolling and shift the brain of users into autopilot mode."
  — John Ruich [03:47]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Racist post on Truth Social: [00:15]
• U.S.–Iran indirect talks: [00:43]
• Beef imports from Argentina: [01:34]
• Child flu deaths & CDC policy: [02:27]
• FEMA staff cuts: [03:11]
• EU investigation into TikTok: [03:47]
• Winter Olympics ski jumping rumor: [04:27]

Summary

This compact newscast delivers a fast-moving sequence of major stories reflecting pressing social, political, and health issues in early 2026. From presidential social media controversies and geopolitical feints, to consumer price action, child health risks, government staffing changes, and social media regulation, NPR News Now delivers a clear, factual round-up in NPR’s signature direct and neutral tone.