NPR News: 05-23-2025 8AM EDT

Summary

NPR News: May 23, 2025

Asylum Request from Activist Mahmoud Khalil Amid Deportation Efforts

Korva Coleman introduces the day's top story, detailing the case of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University activist seeking asylum in the United States. Accused by the Trump administration of supporting Hamas terrorism—a charge Khalil vehemently denies—he fears deportation could lead to severe repercussions from the state of Israel.

Adrian Florido reports from the Louisiana Detention Center, where Khalil has been held since his arrest by ICE agents in early March. Khalil testified, stating, "Since President Trump accused me falsely of supporting Hamas terrorism, I have had a target on my back" (00:35). He expressed his fears that Israeli agents might "assassinate, kidnap, or torture him" if deported. The judge is expected to rule on his asylum request next month, while another federal judge considers his potential release during the deportation proceedings.

Trump Administration Releases Report on Rising Chronic Diseases in Children

In the next segment, Korva Coleman announces a significant report from the Trump administration addressing the increase in chronic diseases among American children. Will Stone delves into the findings, highlighting a rise in conditions such as obesity, asthma, autoimmune disorders, and behavioral health issues.

The 72-page document, produced by the Maha Commission established by President Trump, outlines four primary drivers:

1. Poor diet
2. Environmental chemicals
3. Chronic stress and lack of physical activity
4. Over-medicalization

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., influences much of the report, as outlined in his "Make America Healthy Again" platform. However, public health experts critique the report for overlooking crucial social determinants like poverty and lacking a comprehensive strategy to combat these health challenges. Stone notes, "While the report correctly identifies some causes, it fails to acknowledge the importance of social factors like poverty and doesn't offer a clear vision for tackling this monumental issue" (01:37).

Minneapolis Commemorates Five Years Since George Floyd’s Death

Korva Coleman transitions to the ongoing commemorations in Minneapolis marking five years since the tragic death of George Floyd. Matt Sepik provides an overview of the planned events, which aim to honor Floyd's legacy and continue the global movement for racial justice sparked by his death in 2020.

Sepik recalls, "George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, died after a white police officer kneeled on his neck and back for more than nine minutes. The killing, captured on video, ignited a worldwide racial justice movement." (02:32). The upcoming events include concerts, street festivals, art exhibits, and candlelight vigils, all designed to celebrate Floyd's memory and promote ongoing societal changes.

Derek Chauvin Sentenced and Trump's New Tariff Threats

Returning to broader national news, Korva Coleman reports on the recent sentencing of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. After being convicted on federal and state charges, including second-degree murder, Chauvin is now serving his sentence in a federal prison in Texas.

Coleman also covers developments from Wall Street, noting that Dow Jones Industrial futures are down nearly 500 points in pre-market trading (02:52).

In international trade news, President Donald Trump has issued new tariff threats. He warned Apple that he will impose at least a 25% tariff on all iPhones sold in the U.S. unless they are manufactured domestically rather than in countries like India. Additionally, Trump declared a potential 50% tariff on imports from the European Union, citing a substantial trade deficit. "Unless the trade deficit with the EU changes, the tariff will take effect June 1," Trump stated (03:30).

Sean "Diddy" Combs’ Federal Sex Trafficking Trial: Kid Cudi’s Testimony

In a high-profile federal sex trafficking trial, Sean "Diddy" Combs faces serious allegations, with rapper Scott Mescati, known as Kid Cudi, testifying about his relationship with Combs' former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.

Isabella Gomez Sarmiento reports that Mescati described how he and Ventura grew close in 2011 after Ventura confided in him about Combs' alleged physical abuse. Mescati recounted, "After Combs found out someone broke into his house, about a month later my car was set on fire in my driveway." (04:10). He filed police reports for both incidents and expressed his belief that Combs was responsible, despite no charges being filed for the arson. During cross-examination, Mescati emphasized his suspicions, underscoring the complexities of the case.

Market Update

Korva Coleman provides a brief update on the financial markets, reiterating that Dow futures remain down by over 400 points in pre-market trading, reflecting ongoing economic uncertainties (04:49).

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This summary captures the key discussions and developments from NPR News Now's episode on May 23, 2025, providing comprehensive insights for those who haven't tuned in.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Activist Mahmoud Khalil has asked a US Immigration judge for asylum. The Trump administration is trying to deport Khalid over his pro Palestinian activism at Columbia University. And NPR's Adrian Florida reports Khalil says he fears the state of Israel could kill him if he is deported.

[Adrian Florido]

Khalil testified in a courtroom at the Louisiana Detention center, where he's been locked up since ICE agents arrested him in early March. He said that since President Trump accused him falsely, he says, of supporting Hamas terrorism, he's had a target on his back. He told the judge that if he's deported to the Middle east, he fears Israeli agents could assassinate, kidnap or torture him because he's become a high profile Palestinian critic of Israel. His wife brought their one month old son from New York so Khalil could meet him. Each time the baby cooed inside the courtroom, Khalil looked over and smiled. The immigration judge will rule on asylum next month. A different federal judge is also weighing whether to free Khalil while he fights his deportation. Adrian Florido, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The Trump administration is out with a report on what's driving chronic disease among children in the U.S. nPR's Will Stone reports. Much of this report reflects the priorities of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. In his make America Healthy Again platform.

[Will Stone]

The report catalogs the uptick in obesity, asthma, autoimmune conditions and behavioral health disorders among kids. The 72 page document is a product of the Maha Commission, which was established by President Trump and includes Kennedy and other members of Trump's cabinet. It identifies four major drivers for childhood chronic illness, poor diet, environmental chemicals, chronic stress and lack of physical activity and over medicalization. Public health experts say the report correctly identifies some of the causes but also fails to acknowledge the importance of social factors like poverty and that it doesn't offer a clear vision for how this monumental challenge will be addressed, even as the administration cuts back on funding for research and public health. Will Stone, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Numerous events are being held in Minneapolis over the next few days. They'll mark five years since the police murder of George Floyd. For Minnesota Public Radio, Matt Sepik has more.

[Matt Sepik]

George Floyd, a 46 year old black man, died in 2020 after a white police officer kneeled on his neck and back for more than nine minutes. The killing captured on video, sparked a worldwide racial justice movement. Events to honor Floyd and the movement include concerts, a street festival, art exhibits and a candlelight vigil.

[Korva Coleman]

Matt Cepik reporting. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to decades behind bars after being convicted on federal and state charges including second degree murder. Chauvin is currently being held at a federal prison in Texas. On Wall street and pre market trading, Dow Jones industrial futures are down nearly 500 points. This is NPR. President Trump is making a new tariff threat. Writing online this morning, Trump warned big tech company Apple he will impose at least a 25% tariff on all iPhones sold in the U.S. that is, unless the iPhones are manufactured and built in the US and not in India or anyplace else. Trump is making an additional tariff threat again. Writing online, Trump says he'll impose a 50% tariff on the European Union. He claims the US has a trade deficit with the EU of hundreds of millions of dollars. He says unless that changes, the tariff will take effect June 1. There's been more testimony in the federal sex trafficking trial of Sean Diddy Combs. Rapper Scott Mescaty, known as Kid Cudi, testified about his relationship with combs Former girlfriend. NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento reports the girlfriend is a key witness in the case.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Scott Meskady testified that he grew close to Cassie Ventura in 2011. The singer allegedly confided in him that Combs was physically abusive and they were taking time apart. Meschari said that's when he and Ventura started dating. The musician said that after Combs found out someone broke into his house. Mescati told the court that about a month later his car was set on fire in his driveway. Mescati filed police reports for both incidents. During cross examination, Mescati acknowledged that no one was ever charged for the arson, but he told the court he believes Combs was responsible for both incidents. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Again on Wall Street, Dow futures are down more than 400 points. This is NPR.

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