NPR News Now: May 5, 2025

Host: Dale Willman | Release Date: May 5, 2025

1. President Trump's Stance on the Constitution and Tariff Policies

Dale Willman opens the episode by addressing President Donald Trump's recent comments regarding his commitment to upholding the Constitution. During an interview aired by NBC on Sunday, Trump expressed uncertainty about his constitutional obligations, stating, "I don't know" ([00:14]). However, he reaffirmed his respect for the judicial system by adding, "I would follow whatever the Supreme Court says."

NPR's Asma Khalid delves deeper into the economic implications of Trump's tariff strategies. She highlights rising economic anxiety reflected in recent polling and notes that the Commerce Department reported a contraction in the U.S. economy during the first quarter of the year ([00:36]). Khalid explains, "President Trump believes that economists were wrong about the negative consequences of tariffs in his first term," and emphasizes that the current tariffs are more severe than those implemented in 2018 ([01:06]). These policies continue to stir debate and concern among economists and policymakers.

2. Preparations for the Papal Conclave in Rome

Transitioning to global news, Scott Detrow reports on the Catholic Church's preparations for the upcoming papal conclave. The conclave, set to begin on Wednesday, involves Catholic cardinals gathering in Rome to elect the next pope. This marks Cardinal Timothy Dolan's second experience overseeing a conclave, the first being in 2013 when Pope Francis was elected ([01:06]).

During a Mass in a residential Roman neighborhood on Sunday, Cardinal Dolan shared his renewed confidence: "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." ([01:29]). Dolan also addressed recent social media controversies, specifically an AI-generated image depicting Trump as pope, stating it "wasn't good" and expressing hope that Trump was not directly involved ([01:37]). The Catholic bishops of New York State echoed these sentiments, releasing a statement titled "Do not mock us," criticizing Trump's social media post ([01:37]).

3. Foiled Bomb Plot at Lady Gaga’s Rio Concert

In international news, Julia Canaro reports that Brazilian authorities successfully thwarted a planned bomb attack targeting an open-air Lady Gaga concert in Rio de Janeiro held on Saturday night ([01:57]). The plot, orchestrated via social media, involved recruiting individuals to carry out attacks using improvised explosives aimed particularly at LGBTQ fans ([02:07]). Authorities labeled the recruitment as a "collective challenge to gain notoriety online."

Police operations led to the arrest of two individuals and the execution of 15 search warrants, effectively neutralizing the threat without causing public panic ([02:07]). The concert on Copacabana Beach attracted over 2 million attendees, making it Lady Gaga’s largest event to date. Gaga herself remarked on the overwhelming turnout, stating, "Seeing the crowd of more than 2 million people, my biggest ever, took my breath away." ([02:07]).

4. Natural Disasters in Puerto Rico and the Birth of Starbase Texas

Dale Willman updates listeners on severe weather conditions affecting Puerto Rico, where flash flood warnings persist across much of the island over the weekend. Heavy rains have led to submerged streets, stranded families, and at least one fatality—a 44-year-old man killed and a 43-year-old woman hospitalized after a tree fell on their vehicle ([02:51]). In response to the escalating situation, a state of emergency has been declared in a northern coastal city ([02:51]).

Shifting focus to Texas, Jerry Clayton reports on the official incorporation of Starbase Texas, a city closely tied to SpaceX’s operations in the region ([02:51]). The vote to incorporate passed overwhelmingly with 212 in favor and 6 against, reflecting strong support from the 283 eligible voters, many of whom are affiliated with SpaceX ([03:25]). Voters also elected a mayor and two commissioners, solidifying the new city's governance structure. This development follows Elon Musk’s long-standing efforts to establish a municipal framework around SpaceX’s rocket launch facility, a vision he first proposed in 2021. Additionally, the Texas legislature is reconsidering a measure that would permit SpaceX to restrict public beach access near the launch site during rocket tests and launches ([03:25]).

5. Tensions in the Middle East and a Golf Championship Highlight

Back to international affairs, Dale Willman reports that flights at Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport experienced a temporary halt on Sunday after a missile launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen landed on an access road nearby ([04:09]). This attack occurred just hours before the Israeli cabinet was set to vote on potentially intensifying military operations in Gaza. In the wake of the missile strike, several U.S. and European airlines have temporarily suspended their flights to Tel Aviv as a precautionary measure ([04:09]).

In sports, amateur golfer Scotty Scheffler achieved a significant victory by winning the CJ Cup Byron Nelson Golf Tournament with an impressive eight-stroke lead ([04:09]). Scheffler completed the 72-hole event with a score of 253, tying the tournament record, and finishing at 31 under par. Notably, he narrowly missed breaking the record due to a bogey on the par-three 17th hole ([04:09]).

This summary provides an overview of the key stories covered in the NPR News Now episode released on May 5, 2025, offering insight into political, religious, international, and sports developments both in the United States and around the world.