NPR News Now – February 20, 2026, 6PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton (Washington, D.C.)

Episode Overview

This brisk five-minute episode delivers the top stories in U.S. politics, the economy, social issues, science, and sports, focusing on a major Supreme Court decision affecting presidential tariffs, an alarming rise in student loan delinquencies, Wall Street’s reaction to policy shifts, a legal fight over a slavery exhibit, new marine biology insights, and the opening of a landmark Major League Soccer season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump Tariffs

• Key Event: The U.S. Supreme Court overturned President Trump’s sweeping tariffs (00:15–01:20).
• Trump’s Reaction:
  • "President Trump said he was absolutely ashamed of the justices who ruled against him in the 6 to 3 decision." (Franco Ordonez, 00:33)
  • Quote:

    "Foreign countries that have been ripping us off for years are ecstatic. They're so happy and they're dancing in the streets. But they won't be dancing for long, that I can assure you."
    — President Trump (00:39)

  • Trump plans to respond with an executive order, seeking to continue some tariffs under different legal authority, proposing a 10% global import tariff that will need Congressional approval after 150 days. (01:00)

2. Surging Student Loan Delinquency

• Key Statistic: Delinquent student loan borrowers have nearly tripled since 2019—now at a record 25% of all borrowers. (01:20–02:19)
• Impact: Credit scores for delinquent borrowers have dropped by an average of 57 points.
• Attributions:
  • Report’s Blame: Trump administration restrictions blocking access to income-driven repayment plans, combined with rising living costs.
  • Trump Administration Response: Claims it has "been reporting full inaccurate data on student loan repayment instead of extending so called flexibilities related to a pandemic that ended five years ago." (Janaki Mehta, 01:51)

3. Wall Street’s Response to the Tariff Ruling

• Market Movement: The Dow rose nearly 0.5% after the Supreme Court’s decision. (02:19–03:13)
• Investor Sentiment: Companies hard-hit by tariffs (e.g., Coca Cola, Ford) saw share price rebounds.
• Presidential Reaction: Trump vows to enact a new 10% global tariff through alternate authority, but markets expect attempts to circumvent the ruling.
• Quote:

  "Investors largely shrugged in response. Some had already expected the president to find workarounds if the Supreme Court struck down his tariffs."
  — Maria Aspen (02:54)

4. Federal Judge Orders Restoration of Slavery Exhibit

• Context: Philadelphia sued the federal government over the sudden removal of a slavery history exhibit at a former George Washington residence. (03:13–03:31)
• Ruling: A federal judge denied the government's delay request, ordering collaboration with the city on any new exhibit.

5. Science: Clownfish Coloration Research

• Discovery: Young clownfish lose their extra stripes faster when joining a new group at an anemone—signaling their harmlessness to others. (03:31–04:31)
• Explanation:
  • Expert Quote:

    "That's when they first have to interact with others of their own kind to form a functioning group."
    — Laurie Mitchell, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (04:07)

  • Once accepted, their additional stripes fade (Ari Daniel, reporter).

6. Major League Soccer: Landmark Season Opening

• Season Milestone: MLS inaugurates its 31st season, with the context of the upcoming World Cup co-hosted by U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Next year, the league will synchronize with the global football calendar. (04:31–04:57)
• Opening Match: LAFC vs Miami at Los Angeles Coliseum.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• President Trump on Supreme Court Tariffs Ruling:
  "Foreign countries that have been ripping us off for years are ecstatic. They're so happy and they're dancing in the streets. But they won't be dancing for long, that I can assure you." (00:39)
• Maria Aspen on Wall Street Sentiment:
  "Investors largely shrugged in response. Some had already expected the president to find workarounds if the Supreme Court struck down his tariffs." (02:54)
• Laurie Mitchell on Clownfish Groups:
  "That's when they first have to interact with others of their own kind to form a functioning group." (04:07)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Trump Supreme Court Ruling & Response: 00:15–01:20
• Student Loans Delinquency Report: 01:20–02:19
• Stock Market/National Economic Repercussions: 02:19–03:13
• Legal Fight Over Slavery Exhibit: 03:13–03:31
• Clownfish Coloration Study: 03:31–04:31
• MLS Season Preview: 04:31–04:57

Tone & Takeaways

Succinct, urgent, and neutral, with an emphasis on major shifts in national policy and their immediate effects on Americans’ daily lives—economic uncertainty, student debt pain points, legal-political tension, scientific discovery, and a major sports milestone. Suitable for listeners needing a comprehensive update in just a few minutes.