NPR News: 05-05-2025 10AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary for May 5, 2025, 10AM EDT Episode

Released on May 5, 2025

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1. President Trump's Controversial Stance on the U.S. Constitution and Immigration

Host: Korva Coleman
Reporting by: Asma Khalid
Notable Quote:

• Trump: "I didn't know if I am required to uphold the U.S. Constitution." ([00:21])

In a surprising turn during a recent NBC interview, President Donald Trump questioned his obligation to uphold the U.S. Constitution, particularly concerning immigration policies. Responding to inquiries about whether non-citizens in the United States deserve due process, Trump asserted his belief in having a clear mandate on immigration matters. He stated that extending due process to millions of individuals residing illegally would necessitate an overwhelming number of trials.

This stance comes amidst a high-profile case involving a man from Maryland who was deported to El Salvador despite a court order preventing his return there. The Supreme Court has since urged the U.S. government to facilitate his repatriation, but as of the episode's release, he remains in El Salvador. The administration's hardline approach has sparked debates about constitutional obligations and the rights of non-citizens within the U.S.

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2. Removal of Gun Violence Memorial by the Trump Administration

Host: Korva Coleman
Reporting by: Kristen Wright
Notable Quotes:

• Brenda Joyner: "Should there have been some notification to us? Absolutely. But do I want my picture sitting at the bottom of a dumpster? Hell no. No." ([01:45])
• Justice Department Statement: "The ATF will continue to honor the memory of all victims of violent crime while at the same time preserving the rights of law-abiding Americans." ([01:55])

The Trump administration has dismantled a memorial honoring victims of gun violence that was established by the Department of Justice under President Biden. The removal involved taking down all 120 portraits from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), including that of Robert Godwin Sr. This decision has left families devastated, particularly Brenda Joyner, whose father’s portrait was part of the exhibit. Joyner expressed her anger and disappointment over the lack of prior notification and the insensitive handling of her father's legacy.

In response, the Justice Department released a statement claiming that the ATF remains committed to honoring victims of violent crimes while upholding the rights of law-abiding citizens. However, a spokesperson did not provide further details on the current whereabouts of the removed portraits, leaving many families seeking answers and closure.

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3. President Trump’s Proposed 100% Tax on Imported Movies and Its Economic Impact

Host: Korva Coleman
Reporting by: Scott Horsley
Notable Quote:

• President Trump: "I'm directing the Commerce Department to begin the process of imposing a tax on foreign films." ([02:26])

In an unexpected policy move, President Trump announced on social media his intention to impose a 100% tax on imported movies. Citing concerns over international incentives that other countries offer to attract filmmakers, Trump believes this measure will protect and promote the domestic entertainment industry. The announcement had an immediate negative effect on the stock market, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping approximately 70 points in early trading.

The entertainment sector, including major players like Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, experienced significant declines. Additionally, the International Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies plan to boost oil production next month, contributing to a decline in crude oil prices. The West Texas Intermediate benchmark fell below $60 a barrel, a level many U.S. oil producers deem unsustainable for new drilling projects. Meanwhile, retail gasoline prices remained relatively stable overnight at around $3.16 per gallon, showing minor fluctuations compared to previous weeks and months.

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4. Ongoing Stock Market Declines Amid Economic Turbulence

Host: Korva Coleman
Reporting by: Scott Horsley

The stock market continued its downward trend in the morning session, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling by over 85 points to stand at 41,232 and the NASDAQ dropping approximately 100 points. This decline is attributed to multiple factors, including President Trump’s aggressive tax policies on imported media, concerns over global oil production increases by OPEC, and the overall economic uncertainty affecting investor confidence.

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5. Transportation Woes: High-Speed Train Delays in Spain and United Airlines Flight Cancellations

a. High-Speed Train Delays in Spain

Host: Korva Coleman

Spanish officials have reported significant delays in the country’s high-speed train services due to the theft of critical cabling from the signaling system at four different sites. The timing coincides with the post-holiday surge of travelers heading home, exacerbating the situation. Thousands of passengers experienced overnight stays on rail cars, contributing to widespread frustration and disruption.

b. United Airlines Flight Cancellations at Newark Airport

Host: Korva Coleman
Reporting by: Odette Fortier

United Airlines has canceled approximately thirty-five round-trip flights daily from Newark Airport, one of the nation’s busiest hubs. The cancellations are attributed to the failure of the technology that air traffic controllers depend on, which relies on outdated components like floppy disks and upgrades from World War II-era radar systems. This technological shortfall has overwhelmed the airport’s capacity to handle the scheduled flights, leading to significant delays and stranded passengers.

Notable Quotes:

• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy: "It's really awful." ([04:10])
• Passenger Odette Fortier: "We can't go another day, not just Newark." ([04:19])

Odette Fortier, a passenger affected by the cancellations, shared her distressing experience of being stuck on the tarmac while attempting to join her tour group. The Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, emphasized the urgent need for a complete overhaul of the air traffic control system, warning that without substantial upgrades, the safety of air travel is at risk. Funding for such technological advancements is currently under consideration by Congress, highlighting the critical intersection of infrastructure and national security.

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6. Conclave of Roman Catholic Cardinals to Select the Next Pope

Host: Korva Coleman

In Vatican City, Roman Catholic cardinals are convening for their conclave, scheduled to begin on Wednesday, to elect the next pope. The traditional process involves burning ballots after each vote; black smoke signifies the need for another round of voting, while white smoke announces a successful election of the new pontiff. Preparations for the conclave include the installation of a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel by the Vatican fire brigade to ensure clear communication of the election results. The global Catholic community eagerly awaits the outcome of this pivotal event within the Church.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and developments covered in the May 5, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with an in-depth understanding of the day's most pressing news stories.

Transcript

[Aisha Harris]

Hey, it's Aisha Harris from Pop Culture Happy Hour. If you love NPR Podcasts, you'll want the new NPR Podcast Bundle. Enjoy an all you can eat selection of NPR podcasts with sponsor free listening and bonus episodes. Plus, you'll be supporting public radio. Check it out at plus.npr.org live from.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President Trump gave a startling reply to a question yesterday during an interview with NBC. Trump said he didn't know if he is required to uphold the U.S. constitution. NPR's Asma Khalid has more.

[Asma Khalid]

The context for this was a series of questions about whether non citizens in the US Deserve due process. The president believes, frankly, he has a mandate. He thinks on immigration and said if you talk about due process for people who are not in the country legally, you'd have to deal with millions of trials. The backdrop to this is the high profile case of a man who was sent from Maryland to El Salvador despite a court order saying he should specifically not be deported there. The Supreme Court has called on the US Government to facilitate his return, but thus far he remains in El Salvador.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Asma Khalid reporting. An exhibit in a federal building in Washington that honored victims of gun violence no longer exists. The Trump administration has taken down the memorial created by the Department of Justice under President Biden. NPR's Kristen Wright reports. Some families are upset over the decision.

[Kristen Wright]

The Trump administration removed all 120 portraits from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Robert Godwin Sr's portrait and biography were part of the Faces of gun Violence exhibit. His daughter Brenda Joyner, is upset, especially because she wasn't notified beforehand.

[Brenda Joyner]

Should there have been some bit of notification to us? Absolutely. But do I want my pictures dad's picture sitting at the bottom of a dumpster? Hell no. No.

[Kristen Wright]

The Justice Department in a statement to NPR says, quote, the ATF will continue to honor the memory of all victims of violent crime while at the same time preserving the rights of law abiding Americans. A spokesman didn't answer a question asking where the portraits are now. Kristen Wright, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Stocks opened lower this morning as President Trump threatened a new 100% tax on imported movies. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. The Dow Jones industrial average fell about 70 points in early trading.

[Scott Horsley]

President Trump said in a social media post he's directing the Commerce Department to begin the process of imposing a tax on foreign films. Trump complained about the incentives that other countries offer to attract filmmakers. The news is weighing on entertainment stocks, including Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery Opec and its allies plan to start pumping more oil next month. That's pushing crude oil prices down. The West Texas benchmark is now under 60 dol a barrel. That's below the price many US oil producers say they need to justify drilling a new well. Retail gasoline prices held steady overnight at about $3.16 a gallon. AAA says that's 2 cents higher than a week ago, but 10 cents lower than this time last month. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

On Wall street, stocks are still lower. The Dow Jones industrial average is now down more than 85 points at 41,232. The NASDAQ is down about 100 points. This is NPR. High speed trains in Spain have been hit with delays today. Spanish officials say that some of the cabling used in the train's signaling system have been stolen from four different locations. Thousands of people have been traveling home after a holiday weekend in Spain. Some people were stuck overnight in their rail cars. Many airline passengers are complaining. That's after United Airlines announced it would eliminate about three dozen daily flights at one of the nation's busiest airports. NPR's Amy Held explains United announced the.

[Odette Fortier]

Cancellation of 35 round trip flights every day from New York Airport because the technology air traffic controllers rely on has, quote, failed. In a statement, CEO Scott Kirby says it's clear the airport cannot handle the planes scheduled to operate there this weekend at Newark.

[Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy]

It's really awful.

[Odette Fortier]

Odette Fortier planned to join her tour group, but got stuck on the tarmac.

[Korva Coleman]

We're going on a tour that we're.

[Brenda Joyner]

Meeting the group in Athens.

[Odette Fortier]

We can't go another day, not just Newark. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says unless a whole new air traffic control system is built, people will lose lives. The current system relies in part on floppy disks and World War II era radar upgrade. Funding is under consideration by Congress. Amy Held, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Roman Catholic cardinals will convene their conclave Wednesday to select the next pope. After each vote, they burn their ballots. Black smoke says they'll take another vote. White smoke means the next pontiff has been chosen. The Vatican fire brigade has now installed the chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

[N/A]

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