NPR News: 05-27-2025 1PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – May 27, 2025, 1PM EDT

Published on May 27, 2025

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1. Trump Administration Seeks Cancellation of Harvard's Federal Contracts

Host: Lakshmi Singh introduces the segment.
Reporter: Alyssa Nadworny

The Trump administration has directed federal agencies to terminate their remaining contracts with Harvard University, citing allegations of antisemitism within the institution. The estimated value of these contracts is approximately $100 million.

A letter from the U.S. General Services Administration issued on Tuesday mandates agencies to review and either terminate existing contracts with Harvard or seek alternative vendors. Agencies are required to report the terminated contracts by June 6th. This action adds to the over $2 billion in federal funding that the administration has already frozen for Harvard.

Harvard University has yet to respond to NPR's requests for comment. In response to the administration's freeze, Harvard is pursuing legal action to block the funding cuts, arguing that these measures are unlawful and pose a threat to academic freedom and First Amendment rights.

Notable Quote:

“The administration's moves are unlawful and that the cuts threaten academic freedom and First Amendment rights.”
— Alyssa Nadworny, [00:38]

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2. President Trump's Memorial Day Tributes and Social Media Contradictions

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Reporter: Domenico Montanaro

President Trump observed Memorial Day by paying tribute to fallen military service members at Arlington National Cemetery, adhering to traditional presidential practices. However, his actions on social media painted a contrasting picture.

Trump posted messages online three times, wishing followers a "happy Memorial Day," a sentiment some critics argue is inappropriate for the solemn nature of the day. He further added disparaging remarks about those he blames for political divisions.

Notable Quote:

“It's not a day to tell people, happy Memorial Day. But that's what Trump did three times on social media, wishing a happy Memorial Day to quote, including the scum that spent the last four years trying to destroy our country through warped radical left minds.”
— Domenico Montanaro, [01:32]

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3. Increase in US Economic Confidence Following Tariff Suspension

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Reporter: Scott Horsley

Consumers are showing increased confidence in the US economic outlook after the administration lifted some of its stringent tariffs. This development marks the first rise in economic confidence in six months.

A recent survey by the nonprofit Conference Board revealed a 14% increase in the confidence index. Respondents expressed optimism about both the current economic conditions and future prospects. Approximately half of the survey responses were received after the US and China agreed to a temporary truce in their ongoing trade war, which also buoyed the stock market and contributed to the positive sentiment.

Despite the uptick, concerns remain regarding the potential for tariffs to drive up prices. Additionally, while gasoline prices have become cheaper, many respondents remain anxious about the job market, even in the context of a low unemployment rate.

Notable Quote:

“About half the survey responses came in after the US and China agreed to a temporary truce in their trade war. That also gave a boost to the stock market, which contributed to the stronger confidence numbers.”
— Scott Horsley, [02:10]

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4. Southwest Airlines to Implement Baggage Fees

Host: Lakshmi Singh

Travelers booking flights with Southwest Airlines should act swiftly, as today is the final day to check bags without incurring fees. Starting Wednesday, Southwest will introduce charges of $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second. This change marks the end of the airline's longstanding policy of allowing two free checked bags, a feature that prominently differentiated Southwest from its discount competitors for decades.

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5. King Charles' Historic Speech at Canada's Parliament

Host: Lakshmi Singh

King Charles marked a significant moment in Canadian history by delivering the throne speech during the opening session of Canada's parliament today. This event makes him the first British monarch to perform such a duty in 48 years, following Queen Elizabeth II.

Notable Quote:

“It is with a deep sense of pride and pleasure that my wife and I join you here today as we witness Canadians coming together in a renewed sense of national pride, unity and hope.”
— King Charles, [03:30]

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney highlighted that the monarchy's presence underscores Canada's sovereignty, serving as a counterpoint to President Trump's persistent remarks suggesting that Canada should be the 51st state.

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6. Scripps National Spelling Bee Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Reporter: Eva Pukach

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is currently underway, celebrating its centennial. The inaugural contest took place 100 years ago with nine participants, with "gladiolus" being the winning word. This year, the competition has expanded dramatically, featuring 243 spellers over four days.

A notable addition to this year's format is the "spell-off." In this final round, each remaining speller has 90 seconds to spell as many words as possible from a predetermined list. The champion will be the contestant who correctly spells the most words within the allotted time, adding an exciting new element to the historic competition.

Notable Quote:

“As part of the bee, the spellers participate in a vocabulary round, answering multiple choice questions that are designed to advance the bee's focus on word knowledge and literacy.”
— Eva Pukach, [04:05]

The final round is scheduled for Thursday evening, and if necessary, the spell-off could extend the competition further, heightening anticipation for the crowning of this year's champion.

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This summary provides an overview of the key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode aired on May 27, 2025, at 1PM EDT. For more detailed coverage, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News. I'm Lakshmi Singh. The Trump administration is asking federal agencies to cancel their remaining federal contracts with Harvard University. The administration accuses Harvard of antisemitism, which the school denies. NPR's Alyssa Ned Warny reports. The contracts are estimated to be worth about $100 million.

[Alyssa Nadworny]

A letter from the U.S. general Services Administration dated Tuesday tells agencies to review current contracts with Harvard and terminate or find an alternative vendor. The letter asks agencies to submit a list of contracts they have terminated with the university by June 6th. This is in addition to the more than $2 billion the administration has already frozen. Harvard has not yet responded to NPR's request for comment. The school is suing the Trump administration to block the federal funding freeze. The university claims that the administration's moves are unlawful and that the cuts threaten academic freedom and First Amendment rights. Alyssa Nadworny, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

President Trump spent Memorial Day carrying out a presidential tradition. He paid tribute to deceased military service members with a wreath and a speech at Arlington national cemetery. But as NPR's Medical Montana reports, Trump's remarks on social media struck a very different tone.

[Domenico Montanaro]

Memorial Day, first of all, is a day to remember those who died during active duty in the military. It's not a day to tell people, happy Memorial Day. But that's what Trump did three times on social media, wishing a happy Memorial Day to quote, including the scum that spent the last four years trying to destroy our country through warped radical left minds.

[Lakshmi Singh]

NPR's Domenico Montana reporting. Consumers seem to be expressing more confidence about the US Economic outlook after the administration suspended some of its most punishing tariffs. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. This marks the first uptick in confidence in six months.

[Scott Horsley]

A new survey from the nonprofit Conference board shows a 14% jump in the group's confidence index. Survey respondents are feeling better about both the current economic situation and prospects for the future. About half the survey responses came in after the US And China agreed to a temporary truce in their trade war. That also gave a boost to the stock market, which contributed to the stronger confidence numbers. People are still jittery that the president's tariffs will lead to higher prices, although some spoke favorably about cheaper gasoline. Survey respondents are also nervous about the job market, despite the low unemployment rate. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

If you're planning to book a flight on Southwest, today's your last chance to do it without being charged for checked bags. The airline plans to start imposing fees on most passengers Wednesday, reportedly $35 for the first bag, 45 for the second. For decades, Southwest boasted a two free bags policy that it said set it apart from its discount rivals. That all ends tomorrow. It's NPR News. King Charles says this is a critical moment for Canada. Today he marked the opening session of Canada's parliament with the throne speech. He was the first head of state in 48 years to do so since his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

[King Charles]

It is with a deep sense of pride and pleasure that my wife and I join you here today as we witness Canadians coming together in a renewed sense of national pride, unity and hope.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says the British monarch's visit underscores the country's sovereignty, a rebuke to President Trump's repeated declarations that Canada should be the 51st state. The Scripps National Spelling Bee is underway. And on the bee's 100th anniversary, NPR's Eva Pukach has more.

[Eva Pukach]

The first winning word of the inaugural Scripps National Spelling Bee was gladiolus. Only nine spellers competed that year. Now, 100 years later, 243 spellers are competing across four days. As part of the bee, the spellers participate in a vocabulary round, answering multiple choice questions that Scripts says are designed to advance the bee's focus on word knowledge and literacy. The final round of this year's bee is set for Thursday evening. If the competition goes long, it could feature a newer element of the the spell off. Each remaining speller gets 90 seconds to spell as many words as they can from a predetermined list of words, with the champion being the speller that spells the most words correctly. Ava Pukach, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News, in Washington.

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