NPR News Now: March 5, 2025, 10 PM EST

Hosted by NPR, this episode of NPR News Now delivers the latest news in five minutes, updated hourly. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key topics covered in the March 4, 2025, 10 PM EST episode.

President Trump Addresses Congress Amidst Political Turmoil

Timestamp [00:17 - 03:02]

In a highly charged joint session of Congress, President Donald Trump took the stage to declare that "America is back," a statement met with enthusiastic cheers from Republican members and jeers from Democrats. The atmosphere on Capitol Hill remained tense throughout the evening, with Democratic representatives repeatedly interrupting Trump's speech as he sought to celebrate what he termed a "victory lap."

Representative Al Green of Texas escalated the discord by refusing to be seated, asserting, "You have no mandate to cut Medicaid." This act of defiance led House Speaker Mike Johnson to intervene sternly:

House Speaker Mike Johnson [01:01]: "Take your seat, sir. Take your seat."

Despite these disruptions, decorum was eventually restored, although a group of House Democrats maintained their protest by displaying signs reading "Musk said steals."

In his address, President Trump focused on several key themes:

• Federal Workforce Reductions: Trump emphasized plans to cut federal worker jobs, arguing it would streamline government operations.

• Blaming Former President Biden: He attributed the current inflation issues to policies enacted during Biden's administration.

• Transgender Athletes: Trump criticized policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in sports categories that align with their gender identity.

Trump also highlighted his administration's electoral success with the assertion:

Donald Trump [00:39]: "We won the popular vote by big numbers and won counties in our country."

International Trade Tensions Escalate

Timestamp [01:21 - 02:18]

The episode delved into mounting international trade tensions, particularly focusing on retaliatory measures against U.S. tariffs:

• Canada's Response: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration as "very dumb." In a decisive move, Trudeau announced Canada would retaliate by imposing tariffs on more than $100 billion worth of American goods.

• China's Trade Measures: Following the U.S. imposition of tariffs, China has doubled its retaliatory tariffs, introducing a 15% levy on key U.S. agricultural products, significantly impacting American farmers.

• Mexico's Stance: While tensions rise, Mexico has yet to announce its retaliation strategy against U.S. trade policies.

Trudeau also criticized Trump for allegedly appeasing Russian President Vladimir Putin, further complicating international relations.

Veterans Affairs Face Potential Cuts Amidst Congressional Hearings

Timestamp [02:18 - 03:02]

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) voiced strong opposition to proposed cuts within the Veterans Affairs (VA) department. During a congressional hearing, VFW Commander Al Lippart expressed deep concern:

Al Lippart [02:18]: "Congress has given veterans these benefits by law. It's a contract."

In response to allegations of inefficiency, President Trump drew parallels to his own military experience, advocating for precise and thoughtful reforms:

Donald Trump [02:24]: "When I was wounded in Vietnam with shrapnel, instead of just taking my arm off, the medics took the time to just pick out the pieces. That's the way that we need to be addressing these issues. It needs to be with a scalpel and not just a saw."

Lippart countered by highlighting that:

Al Lippart [02:44]: "Congress has given veterans these benefits by law. It's a contract."

Trump's retort was sharp:

Donald Trump [02:48]: "This is not and ask honor the contract."

The VFW criticized the new Secretary of the VA for plans to cut staff and eliminate hundreds of contracts, arguing that these measures would ultimately degrade services provided to veterans.

Wall Street Suffers Second Consecutive Day of Losses

Timestamp [03:02 - 03:30]

Financial markets continued to experience volatility, with Wall Street witnessing a second straight day of decline:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Dropped by 670 points.
• NASDAQ: Fell 65 points.
• S&P 500: Decreased by 71 points.

These downturns reflect investor uncertainty amidst political instability and international trade conflicts.

Eaglets Hatch to Global Adoration

Timestamp [03:30 - 04:15]

In lighter news, two eaglets named Jackie and Shadow captured global attention as they hatched from their nest in a pine tree in the mountains of Los Angeles. The event was watched by approximately 75,000 viewers via a 24/7 live stream.

KVCR's Madison Ahmed reported on the eaglets' emergence and the attentive care provided by their parents:

Sandy Stier [03:48]: "They will be protecting the eaglets and keeping them warm and covered and away from the elements. And they will be bringing food continuously."

Stier mentioned that a third egg could still hatch, adding anticipation for future developments as the chicks prepare to learn to fly.

Michael Bloomberg Tops Philanthropy Rankings

Timestamp [04:15 - 04:55]

Former New York City Mayor and entrepreneur Michael Bloomberg was highlighted as the nation's top donor for the second consecutive year, accumulating a total of $3.7 billion in charitable contributions. His philanthropic efforts span across arts, education, the environment, and public health.

Notably, Bloomberg allocated $1 billion to Johns Hopkins University last year to:

• Make medical school tuition-free.
• Provide financial aid to nursing and public health students.

His substantial donations underscore a commitment to addressing critical societal issues through targeted funding.

Ongoing Developments in Trump's Administration

Timestamp [04:15 - 04:55]

Repeating as the top story, the episode reiterated President Trump's ongoing initiatives and the turbulent period his administration is navigating. Trump's strategies have involved:

• Dismantling the Federal Government: Streamlining operations and reducing federal workforce.
• Tensions with America's Allies: Navigating strained relationships due to unilateral policy decisions.
• Trade War: Engaging in protective trade measures that have prompted international retaliation.

Trump is set to continue his address to Congress and the American people, outlining his plans for the coming months as he steers the nation through these challenges.

This summary encapsulates the critical discussions and developments presented in the March 4, 2025, episode of NPR News Now. For continuous updates, listeners are encouraged to tune into future episodes.