NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of Episode Released on June 11, 2025
Hosted by Korva Coleman
Los Angeles Eases Tensions Amid Ongoing Protests
Korva Coleman opens the episode with reports from Los Angeles, highlighting a noticeable decrease in city activity following days marked by both peaceful demonstrations and sporadic violent confrontations with law enforcement. Faith leaders in the area have advocated for nonviolent resistance in response to federal immigration raids, emphasizing the community's desire for peaceful advocacy.
Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles announced an overnight curfew targeting a specific area within downtown LA. Despite Los Angeles sprawling over more than 500 square miles, the curfew is confined to just one square mile, aiming to address localized unrest without imposing citywide restrictions.
A Los Angeles Official clarified the situation, stating at [00:44]:
"It is extremely important to know that what is happening in this one square mile is not affecting the city. Some of the imagery of the protests and the violence gives the appearance as though this is a citywide crisis and it is not."
Officials also expressed concern over widespread misinformation circulating online regarding the protests, much of which disparages immigrants and political figures, potentially exacerbating tensions.
President Trump Addresses National Guard Deployment and Protests
The discussion transitions to national issues as Korva Coleman reports on President Donald Trump's recent actions and statements. In response to the unrest in Los Angeles, President Trump has dispatched thousands of National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to the city. California officials, however, are challenging this deployment through legal avenues.
During his visit to Fort Bragg in North Carolina to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, President Trump delivered a stern message regarding the situation in Los Angeles. NPR's Tamara Keith provides key excerpts from his speech:
At [01:31]:
"Downtown LA... the protests in Los Angeles were proof that uncontrolled migration leads to chaos and disorder, describing the nation's second largest city as a trash heap."
At [01:45], Trump emphasized national security and military honor:
"Generations of army heroes did not shed their blood on distant shores only to watch our country be destroyed by invasion and Third World lawlessness here at home like is happening in California."
He concluded his remarks by asserting his commitment as commander-in-chief:
"As commander in chief, I will not let that happen."
Furthermore, President Trump addressed the issue of foreign symbols in protests, specifically targeting the display of Mexican flags. He advocated for stricter penalties, stating at [02:04]:
"I want Congress to pass a law to put anyone who burns an American flag in prison for a year."
Elon Musk Reflects on Recent Feud with President Trump
The episode shifts focus to the tech industry, where Korva Coleman reports on the evolving relationship between Billionaire Elon Musk and President Trump. Following a series of public exchanges, Musk appears to retract some of his earlier critical statements about Trump.
NPR's Rylan Barton elaborates on the situation:
"In a two sentence post on X, Musk said he regretted some of his posts about Trump, saying that they, quote, went too far. A week ago, Musk called Trump's mega bill a disgusting abomination. In response, Trump threatened to slash federal subsidies and contracts to Musk's companies. And then Musk claimed, without evidence, that Trump appears in government files about convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Musk deleted that post and some others on Saturday. Trump said last week his relationship with Musk was over and warned of serious consequences."
This brief détente reflects the volatile nature of their public interactions, set against the backdrop of significant legislative proposals and business interests.
US and China Nearing Trade Consensus
Turning to international relations, Korva Coleman highlights impending developments in US-China trade negotiations. NPR's Emily Feng reports that negotiators from both nations have reached a preliminary framework for a potential trade agreement during talks in London. Although specific details remain sparse, Emma Lee Fang provides context:
"Details on what the framework is are scarce, but representatives from the US and China said it was a way to implement what the two countries already agreed on during the last round of trade talks in Geneva."
Previously, tensions escalated when the US imposed additional export controls and restricted semiconductor software exports to China, alongside revoking certain student visas for Chinese nationals. China retaliated by limiting exports of rare earth minerals crucial to European and American tech and defense sectors. Accusations flew between President Trump and Chinese leaders over breaches of the Geneva trade truce. However, a recent phone call between Trump and Chinese Leader Xi Jinping appears to have paved the way for renewed cooperation, signaling a potential thaw in the strained economic relationship.
New Jersey Gubernatorial Primary and NASA Mission Postponement
In domestic politics, New Jersey concluded its primary elections yesterday. Republicans have nominated former state Representative Jack Cittarelli as their candidate for governor, while Democrats have selected Congresswoman Mikki Sherrill. The general election between these two candidates is set for November, setting the stage for a competitive race.
On the scientific front, a planned private space mission has been delayed. NASA announced that the Axiom mission, led by former astronaut Peggy Whitson, has been postponed due to a rocket fuel leak. As of now, no new launch date has been established, prompting concerns within the private space community and among enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the mission.
Market and Economic Updates
Wrapping up the episode, Korva Coleman provides brief updates on financial markets and economic indicators:
- Dow futures are trading lower in premarket sessions.
- The government is set to release the latest report on May's consumer prices this morning, with forecasts predicting an annual inflation growth of 2.5%.
These economic developments are poised to influence market sentiments and policy decisions in the near term.
This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode aired on June 11, 2025, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of current events and their broader implications.