NPR News Now: 7AM EST – February 7, 2026

Host: Windsor Johnston
Location: Washington, D.C.
Episode Runtime: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This morning’s NPR News Now delivers a succinct roundup of top national stories, including controversy from President Trump’s social media, a federal judge’s ruling impacting train infrastructure funding, dramatic developments on Wall Street, surging measles cases in Florida, expanded Congressional access to Epstein files, and the start of the Winter Olympics in Italy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Response to Racist AI Video Controversy

• Story Coverage: President Trump addressed a two-minute AI-generated video posted on his social media, which featured a racist depiction of Barack and Michelle Obama at the end.
• Main Details:
  • Trump claims he did not view the entire video and was unaware of the offensive image at the end.
  • He admitted instructing staff to post the video but saw only the beginning segment.
  • Trump is not firing staff or apologizing, stating he doesn't think a mistake was made.
  • The video was later taken down.
• Notable Quotes:
  • (Donald Trump, 00:44):
    “And I didn’t see the whole thing. 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, 01:01):
    “Nobody knew that that was in the end. If they would have looked, they have seen it and probably they would have had the sense to take it down.”
• Reporter: Tamara Keith
  (00:35 – 01:19)

2. Federal Judge Orders Funding for NY/NJ Train Tunnel

• Story Coverage: A federal judge in Manhattan mandates the White House to resume funding for a major train tunnel between New York City and New Jersey.
• Political Context: Allegations that the administration withheld funds to pressure Senator Chuck Schumer into supporting renaming major transport hubs after Trump.
• Key Details:
  • Work on the cross-state tunnel project had stopped due to lack of funds.
  • Judge Jeanette Vargas cited public interest as grounds for her decision.
• Reporter: Stephen Nessen
  (01:19 – 02:04)

3. Stock Market Turmoil and Historic Dow Rally

• Story Coverage: Wild swings in the stock market, with AI fueling both volatility and growth.
• Main Highlights:
  • Tech sector (e.g., Google, Amazon) saw dramatic selloffs over AI spending fears.
  • Dow Jones Industrial Average surged, crossing 50,000 for the first time, buoyed by gains in traditional industries.
  • Walmart attained a $1 trillion market capitalization milestone.
• Notable Quote (Maria Aspen, 02:18):
  “Artificial intelligence has been powering the stock market, but also creating a lot of chaos.”
• Reporter: Maria Aspen
  (02:18 – 02:58)

4. Winter Storm Threatens Great Lakes and the Northeast

• Story Coverage: A fast-moving winter storm forecasted to bring more snow and frigid temperatures.
• Details:
  • Storm moves from Northern Plains, into the Great Lakes, and toward New England.
• Reporter: Windsor Johnston
  (02:58 – 03:13)

5. Congress to Access Unredacted Jeffrey Epstein Files

• Story Coverage: The DOJ will let members of Congress review over 3 million unredacted Epstein-related documents.
• Access Requirements:
  • Lawmakers must give 24-hour notice.
  • Access is limited to official DOJ computers.
  • Only members of Congress, not staff, are permitted to review the files.
• Reporter: Windsor Johnston
  (03:13 – 03:43)

6. Measles Outbreak Worsens in Florida

• Story Coverage: The number of confirmed measles cases in Florida in January alone more than doubles 2025’s total count.
• Key Insights:
  • Journalists now cross-referencing health clinics to get accurate counts due to delays in state health data.
  • Confirmed cases reported at the University of Florida; largest outbreak in southwest Florida.
  • CDC urges vaccination and advises isolation and contacting a health provider for those showing symptoms.
• Notable Quote (Gabrielle Velazquez Neyra, 04:19):
  “Journalists are now independently verifying confirmed measles cases with health clinics and immunologists to get more accurate numbers.”
• Reporter: Gabrielle Velazquez Neyra (WUFT)
  (03:59 – 04:40)

7. Winter Olympics Begins in Italy

• Story Coverage: First full day of the Winter Olympics with five gold medals to be awarded.
• Event Details:
  • Competitions include men’s downhill skiing, women’s cross country speed skating, ski jumping, and men’s snowboarding.
• Reporter: Windsor Johnston
  (04:40 – 04:56)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• President Trump on controversial video (00:44, 01:01):
  “I didn’t see the whole thing... Nobody knew that that was in the end. If they would have looked, they have seen it and probably they would have had the sense to take it down.”
• Maria Aspen on Wall Street tumult (02:18):
  “Artificial intelligence has been powering the stock market, but also creating a lot of chaos.”
• Gabrielle Velazquez Neyra on reporting measles cases (04:19):
  “Journalists are now independently verifying confirmed measles cases with health clinics and immunologists to get more accurate numbers.”

Important Timestamps

• 00:35 – 01:19: Trump addresses racist AI video controversy
• 01:19 – 02:04: Judge orders federal funds unblocked for NY/NJ tunnel
• 02:18 – 02:58: Stock market swings and historic Dow rally
• 03:59 – 04:40: Measles outbreak worsens in Florida
• 04:40 – 04:56: Winter Olympics opening in Italy

This concise episode captures the day’s top stories with direct updates, contextual reporting, and essential details for listeners who need to stay informed in just five minutes.