NPR News: 05-23-2025 9PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 23, 2025 – Comprehensive Summary

Released May 24, 2025

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1. President Trump Downsizes the National Security Council

[00:18] Jack Speier:
In a significant move, President Donald Trump is reportedly reducing the size of his National Security Council (NSC). According to NPR’s Quill Lawrence, a substantial number of staff members were abruptly terminated on the afternoon of May 23.

[00:31] Quill Lawrence:
"Trump appears to be cutting the size of the National Security Council back to where it was during his previous term," Lawrence reported, citing anonymous sources familiar with internal discussions. One affected official disclosed that “news of terminations came at 4:30pm with instructions to leave the office by 5pm.”

The NSC, composed of subject matter experts, plays a crucial role in advising the president on a wide range of national security issues. This downsizing follows previous instances where Trump dismissed NSC members, influenced by far-right activist Laura Loomer. Notably, Trump’s first national security adviser, Mike Waltz, was removed within 100 days after leaking military plans to a journalist. Currently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is serving as the acting national security adviser.

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2. Trump Signs Executive Orders to Boost Nuclear Power

[01:16] Jack Speier:
President Trump has enacted several executive orders aimed at revitalizing the nuclear power sector. NPR’s Jeff Bromfield delves into the implications of these orders, highlighting concerns about potential safety compromises.

[01:26] Jeff Bromfield:
"Some of the orders encouraged the building of new test reactors and mining uranium," Bromfield explained, adding that the most contentious aspect involves the reorganization of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

[01:52] Allison McFarland:
Allison McFarland, a former NRC chair, voiced strong opposition: “I'm very concerned this will affect nuclear safety in the US. Very concerned.”

Despite these concerns, proponents argue that the executive orders will accelerate the development of new reactors, which could support emerging technologies such as data centers for artificial intelligence applications.

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3. Luxury Jetliner Gifted to the U.S. to Become the Next Air Force One

[02:08] Jack Speier:
A luxury jetliner recently gifted to the U.S. Government is poised to undergo a specialized overhaul to potentially serve as the next Air Force One. NPR’s Kat Lansdorf provides an in-depth look at this development.

[02:24] Kat Lansdorf:
"President Trump has suggested the plane could be converted quickly, but experts say it will likely take years to rework it to meet the current standards set for Air Force One," Lansdorf reported. Doug Berkey, executive director of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Space Studies, added, "The plane from Qatar is likely more luxurious than the current Air Force One, but there's no way it has any of the necessary communications or self-defense features required."

[02:46] Jack Speier:
"Installing those is not an easy thing. I mean, you have to deconstruct the aircraft a fair amount to do that," Speier commented.

Lansdorf further noted that the conversion would be a costly endeavor, estimated to run into hundreds of millions of dollars. Meanwhile, Boeing is already producing two new planes intended to replace Air Force One, though these are experiencing significant delays.

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4. Stock Market Declines Amid Trump Tariff Threat

[03:03] Jack Speier:
As the nation heads into a long holiday weekend, stock markets experienced a downturn influenced by President Trump’s latest tariff threats. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 256 points, while the NASDAQ dropped by 188 points.

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5. Billy Joel Cancels Concerts Due to Medical Diagnosis

[03:03] Jack Speier:
In entertainment news, legendary musician Billy Joel has announced the cancellation of all his scheduled concerts following a recent medical diagnosis. NPR’s Jennifer Vanasco provides the details.

[03:25] Jennifer Vanasco:
"A statement on Billy Joel's website says that he has a brain condition called normal pressure hydrocephalus. Excess fluid collects in the brain, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance," Vanasco reported. Joel is currently undergoing physical therapy, and his doctor has advised him to halt performing activities to facilitate recovery.

The cancellations affect concerts nationwide, where Joel was set to perform alongside other prominent artists such as Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, and Sting. Despite a prolific career spanning since the 1970s, Joel had not released new pop music in decades—this changed with his 2024 single, "Turn the Lights Back On," performed live at the Grammy Awards.

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6. Paris Jury Sentences Individuals in Kim Kardashian Robbery Case

[04:09] Jack Speier:
A Parisian jury has delivered verdicts in the high-profile 2016 armed robbery of reality star Kim Kardashian. The ringleader and seven other individuals have been found guilty, while two others were acquitted.

The court imposed a range of sentences, with the 69-year-old leader receiving eight years in prison, though five of those years are suspended. Three additional individuals were also sentenced to prison terms. The convicted group was responsible for forcibly entering Kardashian’s apartment, tying her up, and stealing jewelry valued at millions of dollars.

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7. Crude Oil Prices Rise Ahead of Holiday Weekend

[04:56] Jack Speier:
In the energy sector, crude oil prices saw an uptick as buyers took advantage of the impending long holiday weekend to stock up. Prices increased by 33 cents per barrel, reaching $61.53 a barrel in New York markets.

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Note: This summary has been crafted to provide a comprehensive overview of the key stories covered in the NPR News Now episode from May 23, 2025. For detailed reporting and further updates, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.

Transcript

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[Jack Speier]

In Washington, I'm Jack Speier. President Trump is significantly downsizing his National Security Council. NPR's Quill Lawrence reports. A large number of staff were terminated abruptly this afternoon.

[Quill Lawrence]

Trump appears to be cutting the size of the National Security Council back to where it was during his previous term, according to sources that spoke to NPR on condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations. One US Official who lost their job said news of terminations came at 4:30pm with instructions to leave the office by 5pm The National Security Council is made up of subject matter experts that advise the president on a broad range of issues. Trump previously fired other members of the council at the suggestion of far right activist Laura Loomer. His first national security adviser, Mike Waltz, was removed from the job less than 100 days in after he accidentally leaked military plans to a journalist. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is currently also acting as national security adviser. Quill Lawrence, NPR News.

[Jack Speier]

President Trump has signed several executive orders aimed at giving a boost to nuclear power. As NPR's Jeff Bromfield reports, some worry the orders could affect safety in America's reactors.

[Jeff Bromfield]

Some of the orders encouraged the building of new test reactors and mining uranium, but the most controversial calls for the reorganization of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The NRC was set up as a powerful independent watchdog. Trump's executive order calls on it to speed approvals and reconsider radiation safety standards. Allison McFarland is a former NRC chair. She says having the White House interfere with nuclear regulations is a bad idea.

[Allison McFarland]

I'm very concerned this will affect nuclear safety in the US Very concerned.

[Jeff Bromfield]

But supporters of the order say it will help speed development of new reactors that could power things like data centers used for artificial artificial intelligence. Jeff Brumfiel, NPR News.

[Jack Speier]

A luxury jetliner gifted to the US Government by cutters waiting for a specialized overhaul to become the next Air Force One. That's after the U.S. officially accepted the gift earlier this week. But as NPR's Kat Lansdorf reports, it will likely take a significant amount of money and time to overhaul the plane.

[Kat Lansdorf]

President Trump has suggested the plane could be converted quickly, but experts say it will likely take years to rework it to meet the current standards set for Air Force One. Doug Berkey, executive director of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Space Studies, says The plane from Qatar is likely more luxurious than the current Air Force One, but there's no way it has any of the necessary communications or self defense features required.

[Jack Speier]

Installing those is not an easy thing. I mean, you have to deconstruct the aircraft a fair amount to do that.

[Kat Lansdorf]

That will cost hundreds of millions. In the meantime, Boeing already has two planes in production to replace Air Force One, but they're long delayed. Kat Lansdorf, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Speier]

Stocks are going into the long holiday weekend on a bit of a download amid the latest Trump tariff threat. The Dow dropped 256 points. The NASDAQ fell 188 points today. This is NPR. Musician Billy Joel is canceling all his scheduled concerts because of a medical diagnosis. NPR's Jennifer Vladasco has more.

[Jennifer Vanasco]

A statement on Billy Joel's website says that he has a brain condition called normal pressure hydrocephalus. Excess fluid collects in the brain, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance. Joel is undergoing physical therapy and his doctor has advised him to stop performing while he recovers. The statement said he had been scheduled to perform concerts across the country with other artists including Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks and Sting. Joel has been performing steadily since the 1970s. However, until recently, he hadn't released new pop music in decades. That drought ended early last year with his new single called Turn the Lights Back on, which he performed live at the Grammy Awards. Jennifer Vanasco, NPR News, New York.

[Jack Speier]

A Paris jury has found the ringleader and seven other individuals guilty in the 2016 armed robbery of Kim Kardashian. Two other individuals were acquitted in the case. Sentences being read by the court range from time in prison to fines. The stiffest sentence went to the 69 year old ringleader of the operation received eight years in prison, though five of those were suspended. Three other individuals in the case were also sentenced to prison time. The group was found guilty of forcing their way into an apartment where Kardashian was staying in 2016, tying her up and stealing jewelry worth millions of dollars. Crude OIL FEATURES Prices moved higher today as some buyers moved in ahead of the long holiday weekend to oil up 33 cents a barrel to $61.53 a barrel. In New York, I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.

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