NPR News: 05-13-2025 7PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary for May 13, 2025, 7PM EDT

Released on May 13, 2025

---

1. Democratic Senators Challenge Qatar's Luxury Plane Offer

Timestamp: [00:14]

NPR host Jack Spear reports that 27 Democratic senators have introduced a resolution aiming to block the Trump administration from accepting a $4.4 billion luxury plane offer from Qatar. The senators are urging Republican colleagues to join their stance against the move.

Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, vehemently opposes the offer, labeling it as "clearly illegal and corrupt" and expressing significant national security concerns. She emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating:

“President Trump says only a, quote, stupid person would say no to a free, very expensive airplane.”
[00:59]

Despite Shaheen’s strong opposition, she revealed that some Republican senators have privately expressed concerns, although no Republicans have officially signed onto the resolution yet. The effort highlights a growing bipartisan tension over foreign influence and national security.

2. Trump Administration Cuts Additional Grants to Harvard University

Timestamp: [01:17]

In a significant escalation between the Trump administration and Harvard University, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced an additional $450 million cut in federal grants to the prestigious institution. This decision follows a previous freeze of $2.2 billion in funding last month.

NPR’s Alyssa Nadworny details that the cuts stem from a letter by a federal antisemitism task force, which criticized Harvard for failing to address what it describes as a "dark problem" on campus. The letter accuses Harvard’s institutional leaders of forfeiting the university’s claim to taxpayer support due to allegations of extreme liberalism and anti-Semitism. In response, Harvard is currently suing to block the federal funding freeze, seeking to defend its reputation and financial stability.

3. Inflation Shows Mild Increase Amid Mixed Economic Signals

Timestamp: [02:16]

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), the government's broadest measure of inflation, rose by 0.2% in April, indicating a slight uptick in overall price levels. This increase was partly tempered by lower gasoline prices. However, NPR’s Scott Horsley highlights that not all sectors are experiencing declines:

“Housing costs are still going up. Electricity is more expensive. So is car insurance. Furniture prices jumped about 1.5% last month.”
[02:30]

Horsley warns that these persistent increases could signal impending inflationary pressures as higher tariffs begin to impact retail prices, particularly for imported goods like new cars and clothing. Economists anticipate that these factors might contribute to more pronounced inflation in the coming months.

4. US and China Agree to Temporary Tariff Pause

Timestamp: [02:54]

In a significant move on the international trade front, the United States and China have agreed to a 90-day pause on the highly contentious triple-digit tariffs imposed on each other’s goods last month. This temporary cessation aims to provide both nations with breathing room to negotiate more sustainable trade terms.

Despite this agreement, the stock market exhibited mixed responses. While the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 269 points, the Nasdaq managed to rise by 301 points, reflecting investor uncertainty amid ongoing trade tensions.

5. Broadway Surges Ahead with Record-Setting Ticket Sales

Timestamp: [03:16]

Broadway has reported cumulative ticket sales surpassing pre-pandemic highs, with $1.8 billion in revenue so far this season. NPR’s Jeff London attributes this success to three major productions featuring Hollywood stars—Denzel Washington, George Clooney, and Kieran Culkin. These star-driven shows have significantly boosted box office numbers, accounting for 20% of total sales.

However, London also points out underlying challenges:

“Audiences are down 3% and product costs have risen so much that only one out of ten shows now turn a profit.”
[03:36]

Despite the impressive ticket sales, the financial viability for most shows remains precarious due to declining audiences and increasing production costs. Nonetheless, the current season is on track to set a new record, emphasizing Broadway's resilience and continued allure.

6. Health Officials Plan to Phase Out Fluoride Supplements for Children

Timestamp: [04:20]

In a controversial move, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced plans to phase out ingestible fluoride supplements traditionally used to strengthen children's teeth. Citing potential health risks, health officials are reevaluating the necessity of these supplements, which have been a staple in dental health practices for decades.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has committed to conducting a scientific review of fluoride supplements by late October, aiming to determine their safety and efficacy. This decision marks a significant shift in public health policy, potentially impacting millions of children who rely on fluoride for dental health.

7. Crude Oil Prices Rise Nearly 3% Amid Market Fluctuations

Timestamp: [04:20]

Crude oil futures saw a notable increase today, rising by nearly 3% to $63.67 per barrel. This surge reflects broader market volatility influenced by geopolitical tensions, particularly the ongoing trade negotiations between the US and China, and concerns over supply chain disruptions.

The rise in oil prices may have ripple effects across various sectors, potentially contributing to higher transportation and production costs, which could, in turn, impact consumer prices and overall economic stability.

---

For more detailed updates and comprehensive coverage, listen to the full episode of NPR News Now.

Transcript

[Capital One]

This message comes from Capital One Access comprehensive solutions from a top commercial bank that prioritizes your needs today and goals for tomorrow. Learn [e-mail] Commercial Member FDIC.

[Jack Spear]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. 27 Democratic senators have introduced a resolution to try to block the Trump administration from accepting a 4,400 million dollars luxury plane from Qatar. They'd like to see Republicans speak out as well. More from NPR's Michelle Kellerman, the ranking.

[Jeanne Shaheen]

Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Jeanne Shaheen describes the Qatari offer as clearly illegal and corrupt and says it raises national security concerns.

[Unknown Analyst]

Air Force One is not just an airplane that flies the president around. It's also a White House in the air in that you have to have secure communications. You have to be able to refuel in case there's an emergency.

[Jeanne Shaheen]

President Trump says only a, quote, stupid person would say no to a free, very expensive airplane. Shaheen says she's heard private concerns from some of her Republican colleagues. Only Democrats have signed on to a resolution opposing this. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

[Jack Spear]

The Trump administration says it's cutting an additional $450 million in grants to Harvard. NPR's Alyssa Nadworny reports. It comes a day after the university's president refuted government allegations of extreme liberalism and anti Semitism.

[Alyssa Nadworny]

In the latest escalation between the Trump administration and the world's wealthiest university, a federal antisemitism task force wrote a letter telling Harvard it will lose additional grants from eight federal agencies. This comes in addition to $2.2 billion that was already frozen last month by the administration. The letter said Harvard faces steep uphill battle to reclaim academic excellence. It also said there is a dark problem on Harvard's campus and went on to say institutional leaders have forfeited the school's claim to taxpayer support. University officials did not immediately provide comment on the letter. The school is suing to block the federal funding freeze. Alyssa Nadworny, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Prices ticked up slightly last month. The government's broadest measure of inflation, the Consumer price index, rose 0.2% in April. That was in part due to lower prices for gasoline since it was muted. However, NPR's Scott Horsley says not everything is coming down.

[Scott Horsley]

Housing costs are still going up. Electricity is more expensive. So is car insurance. Furniture prices jumped about 1.5% last month. And that could be an early warning sign of what's to come as higher tariffs start showing up in retail prices. We didn't see a whole lot of that in the April numbers. But forecast forecasters do think tariffs will start to push up the price of other imports in the months to come, especially for things like new cars and clothing.

[Jack Spear]

On Monday, the US and China did agree to a 90 day pause on the triple digit tariffs they put in place against one another's goods last month. Stocks closed mixed on Wall street today. The Dow fell 269 points. The Nasdaq rose 301 points. You're listening to NPR. Broadway's most recent box office numbers were released today, and the cumulative figures surpass the pre pandemic high. With the season not yet finished, Broadway's taken in 1.8 billion in ticket sales. Reporter Jeff London says it's fueled by three big productions featuring Hollywood stars, among other factors.

[Jeff London]

You could say everything's coming up roses on Broadway.

[Unknown Commentator]

Everything's coming up roses.

[Jeff London]

Or is it? In the 2018-2019 season, the last one before the pandemic, the total gross at this point was $1.793 billion. With a few weeks to go, the total box office will almost certainly hit a record. Part of the reason was the trifecta of star driven vehicles featuring Denzel Washington, George Clooney and Kieran Culkin, which charged sky high ticket prices. Their three shows accounted for 20% of the box office take, but audiences are down 3% and product costs have risen so much that only one out of ten shows now turn a profit. For NPR News, I'm Jeff London in New York.

[Jack Spear]

U.S. health officials are citing possible health risks as being behind the effort by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. To phase out ingestible fluoride supplements designed to strengthen kids teeth. The announcement runs counter to what has been a mainstay dental practice for decades. The Food and Drug Administration is promising it will conduct a scientific review of the products by late October. Crude oil futures prices moved higher today, oil gaining nearly 3% to $63.67 a barrel. In New York, I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.

[Capital One]

This message comes from Alianz Travel Insurance. The family was all set for vacation until the phrase break a leg became a little too literal at last week's kickball game. Trip cancellation benefits can help when life sidelines your plans. Visit allianztravelinsurance.com.