NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of May 26, 2025 Episode

Released on May 26, 2025

Memorial Day Observances and Presidential Remarks

Jeanine Herbst opened the episode by highlighting the significance of Memorial Day in the United States, a day dedicated to remembering and honoring the sacrifices of America's service personnel who have lost their lives protecting the nation.

At 00:33, Daniel Estrin reported on President Trump's visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Addressing the nation, President Trump delivered a poignant message:

"This morning, we pay tribute to their immortal deeds. We share in the sorrow of their beloved families. And as one nation, we give thanks for the ultimate gift they have so selflessly given to all of us." (00:42)

President Trump's Critique of Predecessor and Future Plans

During the Memorial Day observance, President Trump took the opportunity to criticize former President Joe Biden. He emphasized his administration's accomplishments by taking credit for bringing major international events to the United States:

"Bringing the Summer Olympics and the World Cup to the US was a monumental achievement that showcases our global leadership." (00:58)

Additionally, President Trump unveiled plans for a large-scale military parade in Washington, D.C., scheduled for the following month. This event is set to commemorate both the Army's 250th anniversary and President Trump's own 79th birthday. Jeanine Herbst reported these developments, highlighting the dual significance of the upcoming parade.

Resignation from US-Backed Gaza Aid Program

A significant development in international humanitarian efforts was reported by Daniel Estrin and Jeanine Herbst. The head of a new US-backed aid program for Gaza, Jake Wood, announced his resignation, citing ethical concerns:

"It's not possible to implement the plan while also strictly adhering to principles of humanity and neutrality." (01:30) — Jake Wood

The aid initiative, intended to replace traditional food delivery methods amidst widespread hunger in Gaza, has faced criticism from the United Nations and various aid organizations. Critics argue that the program may restrict civilian access to essential aid, potentially serving Israeli military objectives by concentrating aid in southern Gaza under military supervision. Israel maintains that the program aims to prevent Hamas from accessing aid resources.

Jake Wood's resignation casts doubt on the future of humanitarian assistance in the region, as reported by Jeanine Herbst.

Cuts to Community Violence Interrupters Funding

Domestically, Martin Kosti reported challenges faced by community violence interrupters—individuals trained to mediate and prevent violence in high-risk neighborhoods. The Trump administration's abrupt cancellation of approximately $170 million in federal grants to these community safety groups has left organizations scrambling for alternative funding sources.

Akilah Shirells, a pioneer in violence interruption work, expressed concern over the timing of the cuts:

"Black and brown organizations who are providing direct services in neighborhoods that have traditionally experienced high levels of violence are being cut right before the summer and summertime is traditionally, you know, when violence spikes in neighborhoods." (02:45) — Akilah Shirells

The Justice Department classified these grants as discretionary and not aligned with the administration's current priorities. However, there remains a possibility for affected groups to appeal for the restoration of their funding, as noted by Martin Kosti.

Incident in Liverpool During Premier League Championship Parade

Shifting to international news, Jeanine Herbst reported on a disturbing incident in Northwest England where a man was detained after deliberately driving his vehicle into a crowd celebrating the Premier League championship in Liverpool. Daniel Estrin provided further details:

"Several people were hit, but there's no word yet on how many people are injured." (03:26)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the act on social media:

"The scenes are appalling. My thoughts are with those injured or affected." (03:26) — Keir Starmer

Emergency services and police remain on the scene, actively investigating the motives behind the collision.

Entertainment Spotlight: Lilo and Stitch Dominates Memorial Day Box Office

In entertainment news, Daniel Estrin introduced Bob Mondello's report on the film industry's performance during Memorial Day. The animated feature "Lilo and Stitch" has surpassed expectations, grossing over $180 million in North America alone. This success is notable considering the film was initially slated for a direct-to-streaming release on Disney.

Conversely, Tom Cruise's latest installment in the "Impossible" series has garnered $77 million, positioning him in second place for the weekend's box office rankings. Bob Mondello reflected on the industry's recovery:

"Estimates put Hollywood's total box office this summer at $4.2 billion in North America, which is finally back in line with pre-pandemic levels." (04:31) — Bob Mondello

A nostalgic nod was made to the 2002 box office competition between the original "Lilo and Stitch" and Cruise's "Minority Report," highlighting the cyclical nature of film successes.

Additional Updates

Jeanine Herbst concluded with a brief update noting that Wall Street was closed in observance of Memorial Day, allowing the nation to honor the day's significance.

Note: Advertisements, introductory messages, and sponsorships have been excluded from this summary to focus solely on the news content of the episode.