NPR News: 02-25-2026 2AM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now – February 25, 2026, 2AM EST

Main Theme

This tightly-packed five-minute news update presents the highlights from President Trump’s State of the Union address and the Democratic response, bipartisan moments on Capitol Hill, Home Depot’s latest financial results, and global headlines including heightened security in Mexico and upbeat Asian markets. The episode focuses on the political divide in Washington, economic challenges for Americans, and notable global developments.

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Key News Segments and Insights

President Trump’s State of the Union Address

Reported by Deepa Shivaram (00:14–01:20)

• President Trump’s address to Congress balanced celebration of his administration’s achievements with pointed criticism of Democrats and Joe Biden.
• Trump criticized Democrats for not applauding along with Republicans, but did earn some bipartisan praise for supporting a ban on congressional insider trading.
• Announced a new retirement plan: starting next year, employees whose employers do not offer matched retirement contributions would be eligible for up to a $1,000 benefit, aiming to give access comparable to federal employees.
  • Quote: “My administration will give these often forgotten American workers—great people, the people that built our country—access to the same type of retirement plan offered to every federal worker.” – Donald Trump (00:57)
• Immigration and border policy remained a flashpoint. Trump accused Democrats of “destroying the country,” which drew strong reactions.
  • Memorable Moment: Heightened partisan divide in the chamber during immigration remarks.

Democratic Response and Protests

Reported by Giles Snyder & Elena Moore (01:20–02:52)

• Several Democratic lawmakers skipped the address. Texas Rep. Al Green was escorted out after unfurling a protest sign, his second such incident in consecutive years.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson praised Trump’s performance and criticized Democratic disruptions.
  • Quote: “It’s shameful what the Democrats did tonight. The display should be beneath any member of Congress, and I think it’s something they’ll regret.” – Mike Johnson (01:34)
• Other Democrats organized a “People’s State of the Union” event on the National Mall.
• Abigail Spanberger’s Official Democratic Response:
  • Delivered live from Virginia, Spanberger contested Trump’s positive economic assessment, emphasizing widespread struggles with affordability.
  • Key campaign preview: Democrats plan to shift focus to cost-of-living concerns for the midterms, a contrast with 2024 when Trump dominated economic perceptions.
  • Quote: “And I heard the same pressing concern everywhere. Costs are too high in housing, health care, energy and childcare. And I know these same conversations are being had all across this country.” – Abigail Spanberger (02:20)

Bipartisanship on Capitol Hill

Host Segment (02:52–03:30)

• Congress united in celebration, giving standing ovations to both the U.S. men’s and women’s Olympic hockey teams for their gold medal wins at the Winter Olympics in Milan.
  • Notable as a rare bipartisan moment during a tense evening.

Home Depot’s Financial Results

Reported by Marlon Hyde (03:30–04:12)

• Home Depot sales fell nearly 4% for the quarter amid cutbacks on home remodeling by consumers.
• Despite this, full-year sales for 2025 increased over 3%, and the company beat earnings expectations.
• CFO Richard McPhail attributed consumer caution to economic uncertainty, including concerns about inflation, jobs, and higher financing costs.
  • Quote: “Our customers also tell us they have concerns over general economic uncertainty, including inflation, growing job concerns and higher financing costs.” – Richard McPhail (03:48)
• The company is monitoring implications of President Trump’s new tariffs and preparing significant corporate layoffs (approx. 800 jobs).

Global News Briefs

Host: Giles Snyder (04:12–04:54)

• Portuguese football officials are closely watching security in Mexico after the Mexican army killed a drug cartel leader, which triggered violence ahead of a scheduled World Cup warm-up match.
• Asian financial markets traded higher, with Japan’s Nikkei reaching an all-time high and South Korea’s index topping 6,000 for the first time.

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Trump on Retirement Access: “...give these often forgotten American workers... access to the same type of retirement plan...” (00:57)
• Mike Johnson on Democratic Protest: “It’s shameful what the Democrats did tonight...” (01:34)
• Spanberger on Affordability: “Costs are too high in housing, health care, energy and childcare.” (02:20)
• McPhail on Economic Anxiety: “Our customers also tell us they have concerns over general economic uncertainty...” (03:48)
• Bipartisan Standing Ovations: Congressional unity over Olympic hockey triumphs was a bright spot in a divided evening (02:52).

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Key Timestamps

• 00:14 – Giles Snyder introduces the lead story
• 00:34 – Deepa Shivaram recaps Trump’s speech, including insider trading legislation
• 00:57 – Trump announces new retirement plan (audio clip)
• 01:20 – Lawmaker protests and Democratic absences
• 01:34 – Speaker Mike Johnson’s response
• 02:10 – Elena Moore covers Spanberger’s Democratic response
• 02:20 – Spanberger audio clip: focus on high costs
• 02:52 – Congressional recognition of Olympic hockey teams
• 03:30 – Home Depot earnings and layoffs (Marlon Hyde)
• 03:48 – McPhail on economic concerns (audio clip)
• 04:12 – Security concerns in Mexico; Asian markets surge

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Overall Tone

Straightforward, measured, and brisk—typical of NPR’s news bulletins. Reporting is factual and balanced, punctuated by direct quotes from political leaders and business executives. The episode emphasizes both conflict and moments of unity, offering a quick snapshot of a complicated national moment.

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Transcript

[Schwab Representative]

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[Giles Snyder]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. President Trump's address to Congress toggled between touting his administration's wins and criticizing Democrats and former President Joe Biden. Trump Trump argued the nation is winning after his first year back in the White House, and he teased some new plans as well. NPR's Deepa Shivaram reports.

[Deepa Shivaram]

At various points in his speech, Trump chided Democratic lawmakers for not applauding along with their Republican colleagues. But Trump did get applause from across the aisle when he mentioned support for a bill that would ban members of Congress from insider trading. He also said that next year, people whose employers do not offer a match for retirement contributions will get up to $1,000.

[Richard McPhail]

My administration will give these often forgotten American workers great people, the people that built our country access to the same type of retirement plan offered to every federal worker.

[Deepa Shivaram]

Other parts of Trump's speech were more divisive, particularly on the issue of immigration and border security. At one point, the president accused Democrats of, quote, destroying the country. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News, Washington.

[Giles Snyder]

Some Democratic members shouted at President Trump. And as he started his speech, Texas Congressman Al Green was escorted from the chamber for the second year in a row after after he unfurled a protest sign. House Speaker Mike Johnson I think the

[Mike Johnson]

president was pleased with it. We all are as well. It's shameful what the Democrats did tonight. The display should be beneath any member of Congress, and I think it's something they'll regret.

[Giles Snyder]

A number of Democratic lawmakers chose to skip the president's address. Some gathered outside the Capitol on the National Mall for an event billed as the People's State of the Union. Virginia's newly sworn in Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered the Democratic Party's official response to President Trump's State of the Union. NPR's Elena Moore reports on her remarks coming at the start of a crucial midterm election year where Democrats plan to run on affordability concerns.

[Elena Moore]

In a live address from Virginia, Spamberger pushed back on Trump's claims that the economy is roaring, saying voters told her a different story as she traveled around the state on the campaign trail.

[Abigail Spanberger]

And I heard the same pressing concern everywhere. Costs are too high in housing, health care, energy and childcare. And I know these same conversations are being had all across this country.

[Elena Moore]

Her speech may be a preview for what Democrats plan to emphasize this cycle. It's a shift from 2024, when exit polls showed Trump won on economic issues. But now Democrats see an opportunity as voters report struggling to keep up with the cost of living. Elena Moore, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

Back on Capitol Hill, Congress did display some bipartisan enthusiasm for the U.S. men's Olympic hockey team. The team received a standing ovation after a shout out from President Trump. The women's team also got a standing O despite not being in attendance. Both won gold at the Winter Olympics in Milan. You're listening to NPR News. Home Depot was again reporting shrinking sales, but the company did beat earnings and revenue expectations for the fourth quarter. The company says customers are putting remodeling projects back on the burner. Marlon Hyde of member station WABE has more.

[Marlon Hyde]

Homeowners and consumers cut back on spending during Home Depot's most recent quarter as sales dropped nearly 4%. But it isn't all bad news for the home improvement giant. Sales for fiscal year 2025 rose by over 3%. Here's CFO Richard McPhail during Tuesday's earnings call.

[Richard McPhail]

Our customers also tell us they have concerns over general economic uncertainty, including inflation, growing job concerns and higher financing costs.

[Marlon Hyde]

A spokesperson said Home Depot is analyzing the impacts of President Trump' announcement of new tariffs. Meanwhile, the company is preparing to lay off about 800 corporate employees starting next month. For NPR News, Marlon Hyde in Atlanta.

[Giles Snyder]

The Portuguese soccer federation says it's monitoring the situation in Mexico following Sunday's killing of a drug cartel leader by the Mexican army. Portugal has a World cup match, a World cup warm up match with Mexico scheduled for March 28 at the renovated Azteca Stadium, which is to host the World Cup's opening match in June. The cartel leader's killing sparked a surge in violence, putting Mexicans on edge. Financial markets in Asia sharply higher in Wednesday trading, with gains in tech stocks leading the way. Japan's Nikkei trading at its highest level ever, up more than 2%. And the benchmark in South Korea trading well above 6,000 for the first time. I'm Jael Snyder, NPR News.

[Joanna Strober]

This message comes from Midi Health, a virtual care platform for women in perimenopause and menopause. CEO Joanna Strober shares the mission behind working with women in midlife.

[Abigail Spanberger]

It's not just about hormones. It's not just about weight loss medications. We are very much a holistic care platform, and our job is to figure out whatever medications are appropriate for you and offer you those medications.

[Joanna Strober]

Midi Health committed to helping women in midlife with perimenopause and menopause care accessible via telehealth [e-mail].