NPR News: 06-28-2025 6AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: June 28, 2025, 6 AM EDT – Detailed Summary

Host: NPR (Various Reporters)

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Senate Republicans Push Forward on Massive Tax and Spending Bill

(00:20)

Giles Snyder reports from Washington, highlighting the Senate Republicans' initiative to commence voting on a substantial tax and spending bill as early as the afternoon of June 28. The urgency stems from a lack of final legislation despite ongoing negotiations.

Key Developments:

• Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged on Friday that efforts are still underway to address outstanding issues within the bill. He affirmed, "If we can get some of those questions and issues landed, then my expectation is at some point tomorrow we'll be ready to go" (00:41).
• Republicans engaged in over two-hour discussions focusing on critical areas such as state financing of Medicaid programs and the application of tax breaks for specific businesses and individuals.
• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen participated in these negotiations, expressing optimism about reaching a consensus that would secure Senate approval shortly before advancing to the House next week.
• Despite these efforts, some Republican leaders conceded that locking down sufficient votes remains a challenge to ensure the bill's passage (00:51).

Implications: The progression of this bill is pivotal for national fiscal policy, potentially impacting various sectors through adjusted tax regulations and reallocated spending. The outcome of these negotiations will be closely monitored for its economic and political ramifications.

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President Trump Suspends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax

(01:20)

Giles Snyder reports on President Donald Trump's decision to halt trade discussions with Canada, attributing the suspension to Canada's newly enacted Digital Services Tax.

President Trump's Statement:

• "We have all the cards. We have every single one. We don't want to do anything bad, but they have economically, we have such power over Canada." (01:26)
• He criticized Canada's move as "a direct and blatant attack on the United States," emphasizing the tax's retroactive application to major tech giants like Amazon, Google, Uber, and Airbnb, which could result in an estimated $2 billion liability for U.S. companies by month-end (01:45).

Context: Canada's Digital Services Tax, enacted a year ago, aims to tax revenues generated by foreign digital companies operating within its borders. The tax's retroactive nature and its broad application to leading tech firms have raised significant concerns in the U.S., prompting the administration's strong response.

Market Impact: The immediate financial implications for U.S. tech companies could lead to strategic adjustments or lobbying for policy revisions, affecting both the companies and the broader digital economy.

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California Governor Sues Fox News for Defamation

(02:14)

California Governor Gavin Newsom has initiated a $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News, alleging that the network knowingly distorted facts related to the recent National Guard deployment in Los Angeles.

Details of the Case:

• John Stempan reports that the core issue revolves around whether a conversation occurred between President Trump and Governor Newsom before the public announcement of the National Guard's deployment.
• Governor Newsom asserts that no such call existed prior to the announcement, countering President Trump's claims, which were supported only by evidence of a call made days earlier (02:28).
• During an interview, Newsom criticized Fox News for "deceptively editing a video that made the day's old call appear more recent," as stated to the progressive Midas Touch network (02:54).

Fox News' Position: The network has labeled the lawsuit as frivolous, vowing to defend itself vigorously and seek its dismissal (03:06).

Broader Implications: This legal battle underscores the tensions between political figures and media organizations over the portrayal of events, highlighting concerns about media integrity and its impact on public trust and democratic processes.

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Public Funerals Held in Tehran Following Ceasefire with Israel

(03:15)

Giles Snyder reports that thousands gathered in Tehran for the funerals of prominent Iranian military commanders and scientists. These ceremonies mark the first public funerals since a recent ceasefire agreement with Israel.

Conflict Overview:

• Israel has reported the elimination of 30 Iranian commanders and 11 scientists during a 12-day conflict.
• The funeral events symbolize both mourning and a semblance of normalcy returning amid political tensions.

Cultural Significance: Public funerals of high-ranking officials and intellectuals serve as important societal rituals, reflecting national sentiment and resilience in the face of conflict.

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'Daddy's Daughters' Panel Honors Legacy of Civil Rights Leaders

(03:37)

Shamira Muhammad from Mississippi Public Broadcasting covers a special panel titled "Daddy's Daughters," celebrating the daughters of influential civil rights movement leaders, coinciding with the 100th birthday celebration of Medgar Evers.

Panel Highlights:

• Betty Damer, daughter of Vernon Damer, Carrie Kennedy, daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, and Rena Evers Everett, sole daughter of Medgar Evers, shared their reflections.
• The panel was moderated by former MSNBC host Joy Ann Reid.
• Esteemed figures like Former Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Bill Clinton contributed letters honoring Evers Everett and her father's enduring legacy.

Governor Trump’s Remark: In a brief interjection, former President Donald Trump remarked, "I've been mad, very mad. People have asked me, have you forgiven? I'm still working on it," (04:14) though the context of this statement within the panel discussion remains unclear.

Significance: The event underscores the ongoing influence of civil rights leaders and the vital role their families play in preserving and promoting their legacies, fostering intergenerational dialogue on social justice and equality.

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Record-Breaking Sale of a Michael Jordan Rookie Trading Card

(04:37)

Giles Snyder reports that a rare Michael Jordan rookie trading card fetched an extraordinary $2.5 million. This particular card was part of a limited series, with at least nine signed copies previously distributed to collectors at Jordan's private golf club in Florida last year.

Market Context:

• According to ESPN, this sale represents the highest price ever achieved for a Jordan rookie card and ranks as the third most expensive transaction for any Michael Jordan card.
• The surge in value reflects Jordan's enduring legacy and the competitive nature of sports memorabilia collecting.

Collector Impact: Such high-profile sales can influence market trends, potentially increasing valuations for similar collectibles and sparking renewed interest among both seasoned collectors and new enthusiasts.

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Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the newsworthy material presented in the episode.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

In Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Senate Republicans want to start voting on that massive tax and spending bill as early as this afternoon. But NPR's Deidre Walsh reports there's no final legislation yet.

[John Thune]

Senate Majority Leader John Thune admitted Friday he's still working to resolve some issues and confirmed that the bill doesn't violate budget rules.

If we can get some of those questions and issues landed, then my expectation is at some point tomorrow we'll be ready to go.

Republicans huddled for more than two hours to negotiate issues like how states finance their own Medicaid programs and how tax breaks apply to certain businesses and individuals. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen attended some of the session and said he believed they were close to a deal that would pass the Senate soon and then go to the House next week. But some Republicans admitted leaders are still working to lock down the votes to pass the bill. Deirdre Walsh, NPR News, the Capitol.

[Giles Snyder]

After suspending trade talks with Canada, President Trump said the US Is in the better position.

[Donald Trump]

We have all the cards. We have every single one. We don't want to do anything bad, but they have economically, we have such power over Canada. I'd rather not use it. But they did something with our tech companies today trying to copy Europe. You know, they copied Europe. It's not going to work out well for Europe either.

[Giles Snyder]

President Trump cited Canadian plans to tax technology firms for his decision to suspend talks, calling the tax a direct and blatant attack on the United States. It would apply to companies including Amazon, Google, Uber and Airbnb. And it takes effect retroactively, leaving US companies with an estimated $2 billion bill due at the end of the month. Canada's Digital Services Tax act was signed into law a year ago. California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a $787 million defamation suit against Fox. Newsom charges Fox unknowingly distorted the facts around the National Guard deployment in Los Angeles earlier this month. Here's NPR's John Stimpen.

[John Stempan]

@ issue is whether there was a phone call between President Trump and Newsom prior to the president announcing the deployment. Newsom says there wasn't. Trump tried to claim there was, but could only present evidence of a call a few days prior. Fox host Jesse Waters asked why Newsom was lying. Speaking with the progressive Midas Touch network Newsom said Fox deceptively edited a video that made the day's old call appear more recent.

[Midas Touch Representative]

They need to be held to account because it's one thing to cover up for lies that the president, but the impact of covering up for these lies is impacting our democracy, truth and trust.

[John Stempan]

Fox calls the suit frivolous and says it will vigorously defend itself and seek the suit's dismissal. John Stempan, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

This is npr. Thousands turned out today in Tehran for the funerals of top Iranian military commanders and scientists. The ceremonies were the first public funeral since a ceasefire agreement was reached with Israel earlier this week. Israel claims to have killed 30 Iranians, Iranian commanders and 11 scientists during that 12 day war. A special Daddy's Daughters panel celebrating the daughters of the civil rights movement was held this week marking the 100th birthday celebration of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers. From Mississippi Public Broadcasting, Shamira Muhammad reports.

[Shamira Muhammad]

A full auditorium of living civil rights figures and local residents gathered to hear reflections from the daughters of assassinated civil rights leaders. Vernon Damer's daughter, Betty Damer was joined by Carrie Kennedy, a daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, and Rena Evers Everett, the only daughter of Medgar Evers. She was home when her father was assassinated.

[Donald Trump]

I've been mad, very mad. People have asked me, have you forgiven? I'm still working on it.

[Shamira Muhammad]

The panel was moderated by former MSNBC host Joy Ann Reid. Former Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Bill Clinton sent letters to Evers Everett in commemoration of her father's legacy. For NPR News, I'm Shamir Mohammed N. Jackson.

[Giles Snyder]

A rare Michael Jordan rookie trading card has sold for a whopping $2.5 million. It was one of at least nine signed by Jordan for a collector at his private golf club in Florida last year. According to espn, the sale price is the most paid for a Jordan rookie card and the third highest for any Jordan card. This is NPR News.

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