NPR News Now: May 15, 2025, 2AM EDT – Detailed Summary

Released on May 15, 2025

1. President Trump's Air Force One Replacement Plan Faces Republican Pushback

Host: Shea Stevens [00:16]

NPR's Shea Stevens opens the episode by highlighting President Trump's controversial proposal to replace the traditional Air Force One with a luxury Boeing 747 jet gifted by Qatar. This plan has sparked significant backlash within his own party.

Senator Josh Hawley's Critique [00:31 - 00:39]:

Elena Moore reports on Missouri Senator Josh Hawley's opposition, emphasizing his preference for domestically produced aircraft:

"I prefer a big, beautiful plane built in the United States, made in America, bought in America."
[00:39]

Hawley accuses Qatar of attempting to cultivate a closer relationship with the US through such extravagant gifts, raising concerns about Qatar's regional alliances, particularly its longstanding relationship with Hamas.

Senator Rand Paul's Concerns [00:45 - 00:53]:

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul further questions the implications of accepting the jet, particularly regarding Qatar's human rights record:

"I wonder whether the U.S. ability to judge Qatar's human rights record would be, quote, clouded by this gift."
[00:53]

These criticisms reflect broader apprehensions among Republicans about the potential geopolitical ramifications of accepting lavish foreign gifts.

2. Supreme Court to Hear Trump's Birthright Citizenship Challenge

Host: Shea Stevens [01:09]

Shea Stevens transitions to immigration policy, informing listeners about the upcoming Supreme Court review of President Trump's efforts to end birthright citizenship.

NPR Ipsos Poll Insights [01:09 - 02:08]:

Joel Rose details findings from a recent NPR Ipsos poll, revealing a divided public opinion:

• Support for Deportation Policies: Nearly half of Americans support Trump's aggressive measures to deport alleged gang members without allowing them to contest their status in court under the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th-century law. Rose notes:

  "Almost half of respondents in our poll say they are in favor of that."
  [01:28]

• Opposition to Ending Birthright Citizenship: Conversely, 53% oppose Trump's initiative to revoke birthright citizenship, a practice grounded in the 14th Amendment that grants citizenship to anyone born on US soil, regardless of parental legal status.

  "Most legal scholars say that is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Trump, though, is pushing to end it and our polling shows that 53% of respondents oppose that."
  [02:08]

Opponents argue that these policies undermine individual rights, marking a significant departure from historical immigration practices.

3. Federal School Voucher Plan Advances in Legislation

Host: Shea Stevens [02:08]

Shifting to education, Shea Stevens introduces the discussion on the federal school voucher initiative poised to transform how families fund private education.

Explanation by Cory Turner [02:23 - 03:05]:

NPR's Cory Turner outlines the mechanics of the proposed voucher system included in the Republican reconciliation bill:

• Donation and Scholarship Process: Citizens can make charitable donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), which distribute funds as scholarships for private school tuition or homeschooling expenses.

• Tax Incentives: Donors receive a one-to-one federal tax credit, effectively reducing their tax liability by the amount donated:

  "Every dollar they donate would cut their federal tax bill by a dollar."
  [02:36]

• State Flexibility: The plan allows usage of scholarships even in states with existing voter resistance to voucher programs.

• Legislative Progress: The measure is set to proceed to the full House alongside the reconciliation bill.

Turner's explanation underscores the bipartisan support for increasing educational choices, despite some states' opposition to voucher systems.

4. International Affairs: Ceasefire Talks and Middle East Tensions

Host: Shea Stevens [03:05]

Shea Stevens provides an overview of the volatile international landscape, focusing on ceasefire negotiations and ongoing conflicts.

Ceasefire Negotiations in Turkey:

• Exclusion of Vladimir Putin [03:05]: Russian President Vladimir Putin is notably absent from the Kremlin's list of officials attending the upcoming ceasefire talks in Turkey. This exclusion has raised questions about Russia's role in mediating the conflict.

• Zelenskyy's Stance [03:20]: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insists on Putin's involvement for meaningful negotiations to end the war in Ukraine:

  "Putin must be involved in negotiations to end Russia's war in Ukraine."
  [03:25]

• U.S. Delegation: The United States is sending delegates, including White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Defense Secretary Keith Kellogg, to participate in the talks.

Gaza Conflict Escalation [03:35]:

• Casualties Reported: The Gaza Health Ministry reports approximately 70 fatalities resulting from Israeli airstrikes targeting northern and southern Gaza. The Israeli military has yet to respond to these claims.

• Hostage Situation: Following Hamas's release of an Israeli-American hostage, the militant group continues its campaign demanding the release of all hostages and a broader surrender from Israel.

These developments highlight the intricate and tense nature of Middle Eastern geopolitics, with significant implications for global security.

5. Domestic Legal News: Assassination Attempt Charges

Host: Shea Stevens [04:08]

Focusing back on domestic issues, Shea Stevens reports on recent legal proceedings involving an individual charged with attempting to assassinate former candidate Donald Trump.

Case of Ryan Ruth [04:08 - 04:47]:

Greg Allen provides details on the Florida hearing:

• Defense Arguments [04:15]: Ryan Ruth's legal team contends that two of his charges infringe upon his Second Amendment rights:

  "Recent court decisions show the Second Amendment doesn't just apply to law abiding citizens."
  [04:15]

• Prosecutor's Rebuttal [04:25]: Justice Department prosecutor John Shipley maintains that existing statutes prohibiting felons from possessing firearms remain enforceable. He also states that a firearm with an obliterated serial number serves no lawful purpose.

  "The statute that prohibits felons from possessing firearms is still law, and he said a firearm with an obliterated serial number has no lawful purpose."
  [04:35]

• Trial Schedule: Ryan Ruth's trial is scheduled for September.

This case underscores the ongoing national debate over gun control and constitutional rights.

6. Financial Markets Update

Host: Shea Stevens [04:47]

In the financial sector, Shea Stevens updates listeners on the declining trends in both U.S. and Asia Pacific markets:

• U.S. Markets: U.S. futures are dipping in after-hours trading, reflecting investor caution.

• Asia Pacific Markets: Asian shares are down by 1% in Tokyo, indicating a broader regional downturn.

These market movements suggest growing economic uncertainties amidst the day's political and international developments.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of NPR News Now's episode from May 15, 2025, capturing key discussions, insights, and notable quotes to inform listeners who may have missed the broadcast.