NPR News: 05-04-2025 8PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 4, 2025, 8 PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Release Date: May 5, 2025
Source: NPR

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1. President Trump Questions Due Process and Emphasizes Deportations

Timestamp: [00:21]

In a significant departure from traditional stances, President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty about the universal application of due process under the Constitution. Addressing his administration's priorities, Trump stated, "I don't know if every person in the US is entitled to due process under the Constitution." He emphasized that the administration's focus remains on deporting individuals residing in the United States illegally.

During a comprehensive interview on NBC's Meet the Press, Trump addressed economic concerns, notably his trade policies. "I'm not worried about a recession," he asserted, despite ongoing trade wars with multiple countries. NPR's Asma Khalid provided further analysis on these developments.

Timestamp: [00:46]

Asma Khalid explained that Trump's administration has implemented and subsequently adjusted sweeping tariffs across various nations. Currently, a 10% tariff remains on many global imports, aiming to leverage better trade agreements. Despite recent economic advisers hinting at imminent deals, no formal agreements have materialized yet. Khalid noted, "Trade deals take a really long time to figure out in terms of the nitty-gritty details," underscoring the complexity of international negotiations.

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2. Delays in Veterans Affairs Health Care Raise Concerns

Timestamp: [01:14]

Military veterans are increasingly experiencing delays in receiving health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Chuck Kuernbach from WUWM reported on a roundtable hosted by Wisconsin Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin.

Timestamp: [01:32]

Ryan McCants, an Army veteran wounded in Afghanistan, shared his struggles with accessing VA health services. "I just called three days ago to try and schedule a new appointment with my therapist. I can't get in until mid-August to see my therapist," McCants recounted, highlighting the growing wait times for both physical and mental health care.

Timestamp: [02:02]

VA Secretary Doug Collins is set to testify before a Senate committee this week. He has proposed a reduction of up to 15% in the VA's workforce, assuring that this cut will not compromise the quality of veterans' healthcare services. The proposal has sparked debate among veterans and policymakers alike.

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3. Missile Attack Near Israel's Main Airport by Houthi Rebels

Timestamp: [02:20]

Israel faces heightened tensions after a missile, launched by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen, landed near its main airport. Carrie Khan reported that the missile debris fell near Ben Gurion Airport, causing widespread alarm.

Timestamp: [02:31]

Sirens sounded across central Israel, including in Tel Aviv, forcing residents into bomb shelters and temporarily halting flights. While most missiles from Yemen are intercepted, this incident marks a breach of Israeli airspace, resulting in damage and heightened security measures.

A Yemeni official indicated that the attack serves as a warning to international airlines to refrain from using Israel's main airport since the onset of the Gaza conflict. In response, Israel's Defense Minister vowed decisive retaliation: "Whoever harms us, we will harm them sevenfold," signaling a firm stance against such attacks.

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4. Brazil Foils Planned Bombing at Lady Gaga Concert

Timestamp: [03:15]

Authorities in Brazil successfully disrupted a planned bombing targeting a free outdoor Lady Gaga concert, arresting two individuals involved. The plot aimed to carry out attacks using improvised explosive devices against LGBTQ attendees.

The Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security revealed that the conspiracy was orchestrated by an extremist network operating online, seeking to radicalize youth and incite hate crimes. This incident underscores the ongoing global challenges in combating online radicalization and protecting vulnerable communities.

Timestamp: [03:15 - 04:53]

In entertainment news, Marvel's latest film, Thunderbolts, has kicked off its box office run positively. NPR's Bob Mondello highlighted that despite focusing on lesser-known Marvel characters, the movie amassed approximately $162 million globally within its first three days. While not the highest earner for a Marvel franchise, Thunderbolts benefited from a modest production budget and is expected to perform steadily throughout the summer.

Additionally, Lady Gaga's free concert in Brazil attracted a record crowd of 2 million attendees, surpassing Madonna's previous record of 1.6 million at her concert in the same country last year. The massive turnout reflects Gaga's enduring popularity and the public's enthusiasm for accessible live performances.

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5. Box Office Highlights: Thunderbolts and Sinners

Timestamp: [04:11]

Bob Mondello provided an update on the box office performance of Thunderbolts, Marvel's ensemble featuring minor characters. By the weekend's end, the film grossed $76 million in North America and $86 million internationally.

Timestamp: [04:19]

Mondello noted, "By the end of the weekend, it will have taken in about $76 million in North America and another $86 million overseas, for a total of $162 million in three days."

Despite modest earnings compared to other Marvel titles, Thunderbolts remains financially viable, given its lower production costs. The film's success is buoyed by strong summer attendance projections.

Furthermore, the vampire-themed film Sinners continues to perform robustly, having amassed nearly $180 million in North America alone. Its unique blend of blues-inflected horror elements has resonated with audiences, ensuring sustained box office traction.

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Closing Remarks

Jeanine Herbst wrapped up the episode, emphasizing the diverse range of stories covered, from international conflicts and domestic policy challenges to significant cultural events and entertainment milestones.

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Note: This summary excludes all sponsorship messages, introductions, and non-content sections to focus solely on the newsworthy content discussed during the episode.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. President Trump says he doesn't know if every person in the US Is entitled to due process under the Constitution. As his administrator, administration focuses on deporting people in the US illegally. In a broad ranging interview on NBC's Meet the Press, Trump also says he's not worried about a recession. This amid his trade wars with several countries. NPR's Asma Khalid has more.

[Asma Khalid]

Trump put in place these sweeping tariffs on many countries throughout the globe and then he pulled back on them. But he still has left a 10% tariff on many imports from around the globe with the goal of negotiating trade deals. Last week, different economic advisers came out and alluded to the fact that they were very close to a deal. But we still haven't seen a deal. And I will say that trade deals take a really long time to figure out in terms of the Nitty gritty details.

[Jeanine Herbst]

NPR's Asma Khalid reporting. Some military veterans say they're seeing more delays in health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Chuck Warmbach of member station WUWM has more from a roundtable held by Wisconsin Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin this weekend.

[Chuck Kuernbach]

Ryan McCants is an army veteran who sustained what he calls pretty gnarly injuries during deployment in Afghanistan. He often relies on VA health care for both physical problems and mental health concerns. McCants says access to care has become more difficult over the last few months.

[NPR Sponsor]

Specifically, I just called three days ago.

[Bob Mondello]

To try and schedule a new appointment with my therapist. I can't get in until August, mid August to see my therapist.

[Chuck Kuernbach]

VA Secretary Doug Collins is scheduled to testify this week before a Senate committee. He's promised a proposed cut of up to 15% of the agency's workforce would not harm the quality of veterans health care. For NPR News, I'm Chuck Kuernbach in Milwaukee.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Israel is vowing retribution after a missile fired by Iranian backed Houthi rebels in Yemen landed near Israel's Main Airport today. NPR's Carrie Khan has more.

[Carrie Khan]

Sirens went off in many cities in central Israel, including Tel Aviv, early Sunday morning, sending Israelis into bomb shelters and halting flights at the international airport. The missile, or debris from it fell in a field near Ben Gurion Airport. Most missiles from Yemen are intercepted, but some have penetrated Israeli airspace and caused damage. A Yemeni official posted on social media that the attack is a warning to international airlines to not fly into Israel's main air since the start of the Gaza war. In solidarity with Palestinians, the Houthis have sent missiles into Israel. Israel's defense minister says forces will no longer use restraint against Yemen, adding, quote, whoever harms us, we will harm them sevenfold. Carrie Khan, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Jeanine Herbst]

You're listening to NPR News. In Brazil, authorities say they foiled a planned bombing at a free outdoor Lady Gaga concert, and the two people are in custody. Police say the suspects were recruiting participants to carry out attacks using improvised explosive devices targeting LGBTQ people. Brazil's Ministry of Justice and Public Security says the plot was allegedly organized by a larger extremist network that operates online to radicalize young people and provoke hate crimes. Gaga played to some 2 million people, the biggest attendance for a female artist, beating Madonna's draw of 1.6 million people at her free concert in Brazil last year. Thunderbolts, Marvel's latest team building exercise, is off to a decent start at box office around the world. NPR's Bob Mondello has more.

[Bob Mondello]

For a film about decidedly minor Marvel characters, thunderbolts did just fine.

[Jeanine Herbst]

You feel fulfilled? Yeah, soulful, so filled.

[Bob Mondello]

By the end of the weekend, it will have taken in about $76 million in North America and another 86 million overseas, for a total of $162 million in three days. That's hardly huge for a Marvel movie, but Thunderbolts wasn't hugely expensive to produce. It's expected to play well for much of the summer. Also performing well the third weekend of the blues inflected vampire film Sinners.

[Carrie Khan]

We gonna kill every last one of.

[Bob Mondello]

You in three weeks. Sinners has now collected almost $180 million just in North America. Bob Mondello, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

[NPR Sponsor]

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