NPR News Now: May 4, 2025, 9 PM EDT Summary
Released May 5, 2025
U.S. Trade Policies and Small Businesses
Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Luke Garrett
President Donald Trump addressed the ongoing trade tensions with China during an interview on NBC's Meet the Press with Kristen Welker. When questioned about the possibility of lowering tariffs to initiate trade negotiations, Trump stated, "At some point I'm going to lower them because otherwise you could never do business with them" (00:43). However, he assured that small businesses reliant on Chinese imports would not receive relief from the hefty 145% tariffs, asserting, "They're going to make so much money" (01:01).
Despite Trump's promises, many small businesses are struggling under the current tariff regime. NPR's Luke Garrett reported that the White House has yet to finalize any new trade deals following Trump's recent tariff policies.
Federal Budget Cuts Impacting Housing Aid
Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Jennifer Ludden
President Trump's new budget proposal includes significant reductions to federal rental aid, which could severely impact affordable housing. The White House plans to slash rental assistance by 40% and restrict it to two-year limits for able-bodied adults. Kim Johnson from the National Low Income Housing Coalition criticized the move, stating, "We would see homelessness escalate in a way that has been really unprecedented and unheard of" (01:43).
Conversely, Kevin Corinth of the American Enterprise Institute believes while such deep cuts may not pass Congress, there is merit in reducing long-term aid. He noted, "It makes sense to get people aid when they need it, but we don't necessarily want them to stay on it forever" (01:56). Additionally, the budget proposes shifting homelessness funding from permanent housing solutions to emergency shelters.
Conclave Preparations for Papal Election
Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Scott Detrow
As the conclave to elect the next pope begins, Catholic cardinals are actively meeting in Rome. Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, who also participated in the 2013 conclave, shared his experiences, saying, "It helps. I was so nervous last time, and I thought, now what do I do? But now I feel kind of seasoned, a little more relaxed" (02:39).
Dolan also addressed recent controversies, including an AI-generated image of Trump as pope circulated on social media. He expressed disapproval, stating, "It wasn't good and I hope Trump himself was not directly involved in the post" (02:46). The Catholic bishops of New York State echoed this sentiment, releasing a statement urging respect and condemning mockery.
Economic Indicators and New Developments
Host: Jeanine Herbst
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Market Update: U.S. futures are trading lower, with all three major indices down approximately half a percent.
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SpaceX's New Hub: Texas welcomes its new city, Starbase, home to Elon Musk's SpaceX. Located along the Mexico border, Starbase serves as the launch site for SpaceX's projects contracted by the Department of Defense and NASA, with aspirations to send astronauts to the moon and eventually Mars.
Mental Health Trends in the United States
Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Ritu Chatterjee
A recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry highlights a shift in mental health treatment preferences among Americans. From 2018 to 2021, the number of individuals receiving psychotherapy rose from 16 million to 22 million. Dr. Mark Olson of Columbia University noted that while most therapy patients also use psychiatric medications, there has been a decline in those relying solely on medications, particularly among those treated for trauma and stress-related disorders (04:05).
Terrorism Alert in the United Kingdom
Host: Jeanine Herbst
In the UK, authorities have arrested five men, predominantly of Iranian nationality, between the ages of 29 and 46 on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack in London. The details of the intended target remain undisclosed. This development underscores ongoing security concerns within the region.
Notable Quotes
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Donald Trump on Tariffs: "At some point I'm going to lower them because otherwise you could never do business with them." (00:43)
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Kim Johnson on Housing Cuts: "We would see homelessness escalate in a way that has been really unprecedented and unheard of." (01:43)
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Cardinal Timothy Dolan on Conclave Experience: "It helps. I was so nervous last time, and I thought, now what do I do? But now I feel kind of seasoned, a little more relaxed." (02:39)
Timestamp Guide:
- 00:00: Introduction and Sponsor Message
- 00:18: U.S. Trade Policies
- 00:37: Trump on Tariffs
- 01:00: Small Businesses and Tariffs
- 01:14: Federal Budget and Housing Aid
- 01:28: Impact on Homelessness
- 02:03: Shift in Homelessness Spending
- 02:13: Papal Conclave Preparations
- 02:24: Cardinal Dolan's Preparations
- 02:39: Dolan on Conclave Experience
- 02:46: Reaction to Trump's AI Image Post
- 03:07: Market Update and Starbase Announcement
- 03:51: Mental Health Treatment Trends
- 04:33: Terrorism Arrests in the UK
- 04:56: Closing Sponsor Message
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode aired on May 4, 2025. Whether you're catching up on U.S. trade policies, federal budget impacts, global religious events, economic indicators, mental health trends, or security alerts, this summary provides a detailed overview to keep you informed.