NPR News: 07-01-2026 5PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – July 1, 2026, 5PM EDT

Host: Ryland Barton
Reporters: Franco Ordonez, Kat Laundstorff, Sydney Lupkin, Lauren Patterson
Duration: ~5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers concise updates on top news stories as of July 1, 2026, focusing on President Trump's financial disclosures, heightened National Guard presence in Washington, D.C., expanded Medicare coverage for obesity drugs, the aftermath of earthquakes in Venezuela, a federal ruling impacting Pentagon press policy, Idaho raw milk outbreaks, and a new FIFA World Cup regulation.

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Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump's $1.1 Billion Crypto Earnings

[00:03 – 01:01]

• President Trump publicly defends making $1.1 billion in cryptocurrency profits, much of it connected to World Liberty Financial, a crypto business founded by Trump and his sons.
• He attributes his financial gain to the overall booming stock market, suggesting shared prosperity for average Americans:

  "You know why I'm profiting? Because the stock market's going up. Everybody's profiting. If you have a 401k, how's your 401k done? It's up 85. Thank you, President Trump." – President Trump [00:21]

• Recent financial disclosures also reveal over $50 million profits from Trump-branded golf courses in Scotland and near Washington, D.C.

2. Calls to Keep National Guard Out of D.C.

[01:01 – 01:56]

• A significant National Guard deployment is underway in Washington, D.C. for the America 250 celebrations.
• However, 19 former service secretaries and retired officers (from both parties) urge governors to withhold troops, fearing misuse in President Trump’s domestic anti-crime operations, which they call a "troubling departure from the separation of military personnel and domestic law enforcement."
• Notable quote from their open letter:

  "...the present situation is fundamentally different. For months, thousands of armed and uniformed troops have been patrolling D.C. as part of an ongoing and controversial anti-crime federal task force..." – Letter excerpt read by Kat Laundstorff [01:17]

• Nearly 5,000 National Guard troops are already present, with warnings that more could worsen "corrosive trends."

3. Medicare Expands Coverage for Popular Obesity Drugs

[01:56 – 02:48]

• "Medicare Bridge" program launches, allowing beneficiaries to access weight-loss medications (Wegovy, Zepbound, and Foundao) for $50/month.
• Eligibility:
  • Must have Medicare Part D.
  • BMI over 35, or BMI over 27 plus other qualifying conditions.
  • Requires doctor authorization and approval.
• Dr. Dassi Trent, president of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, expresses optimism:

  "There's hope that within the next upcoming year and a half that we would have people see how successful it is and then hopefully continue it into the future." – Dr. Dassi Trent [02:36]

• The program is a test running through the end of 2027.

4. Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises

[02:48 – 03:00]

• Deaths from recent earthquakes in Venezuela rise to nearly 2,300, with over 11,000 injured—numbers projected to increase.

5. Federal Judge Lifts Press Escort Rule at Pentagon

[03:00 – 03:16]

• Federal court orders the Defense Department to drop its rule requiring journalist escorts inside the Pentagon.
• The decision is seen as another legal setback in the Trump administration’s attempt to restrict media access.

6. Raw Milk Outbreaks in Idaho

[03:16 – 04:14]

• Over 100 illnesses, including 11 hospitalizations, linked to drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk from two Idaho operations.
• Idaho does not require raw milk pathogen testing before sale; most cases involve campylobacteriosis.
• Dr. Felicia Wu of Michigan State University notes:

  "Week after week, there are reports of outbreaks and cases of illness associated with raw milk consumption." – Felicia Wu [03:57]

• Despite outbreak, the state plans no new regulations or guidance.

7. FIFA World Cup: Red Card Rule for Covered Mouths

[04:14 – 04:40]

• New FIFA rule issues a red card to any player who covers their mouth while verbally confronting another player, to prevent them from hiding abusive comments.
• A red card results in immediate ejection and a one-game suspension.
• Example: Ecuador defender Piero Incapie was ejected in a match against Mexico for this violation.

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Notable Quotes

• President Trump (on his wealth):

  "You know why I'm profiting? Because the stock market's going up. Everybody's profiting. If you have a, you have a 401k, how's your 401k done? It's up 85. Thank you, President Trump." [00:21]

• Kat Laundstorff (on National Guard open letter):

  "...the present situation is fundamentally different. For months, thousands of armed and uniformed troops have been patrolling D.C. as part of an ongoing and controversial anti crime federal task force, which the letter says is a, quote, troubling departure from the separation of military personnel and domestic law enforcement." [01:17]

• Dr. Dassi Trent (on Medicare weight-loss drug program):

  "There's hope that within the next upcoming year and a half that we would have people see how successful it is and then hopefully continue it into the future." [02:36]

• Felicia Wu (on raw milk outbreaks):

  "Week after week, there are reports of outbreaks and cases of illness associated with raw milk consumption." [03:57]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• President Trump’s Crypto Earnings: 00:03 – 01:01
• National Guard Deployment Dispute: 01:01 – 01:56
• Medicare & Obesity Drugs: 01:56 – 02:48
• Venezuela Earthquake Update: 02:48 – 03:00
• Pentagon Press Escort Ruling: 03:00 – 03:16
• Idaho Raw Milk Illnesses: 03:16 – 04:14
• FIFA Red Card Rule: 04:14 – 04:40

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This summary includes all critical updates and perspectives in a concise format, ideal for those who missed the broadcast or need a quick reference to today’s top news as reported by NPR.

Transcript

[Ryland Barton]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Ryland Barton.

[Franco Ordonez]

President Trump is defending his $1.1 billion

[Ryland Barton]

in crypto earnings last year.

[Franco Ordonez]

NPR's Franco Ordonez has more on the Republican leader's latest financial disclosures.

The president said he's not the only one to make a lot of money during his time in office, arguing that he made money because the stock market is up.

[President Trump]

You know why I'm profiting? Because the stock market's going up. Everybody's profiting. If you have a, you have a 401k, how's your 401k done? It's up 85. Thank you, President Trump.

[Franco Ordonez]

The earnings in cryptocurrency include more than $500 million related to World Liberty Financial, the crypto business founded in part by Trump and his sons. The 927 page financial forms also show large profits from properties bearing his name. He took in more than $50 million from both his golf courses in Scotland and near Washington, D.C. franco Ordonez, NPR News.

There's been a surge of National Guard

[Ryland Barton]

troops in Washington, D.C. during the America 250 celebrations, but several former military officials are urging governors to keep their troops

[Franco Ordonez]

away out of concern they'll be used in President Trump's crackdown in the city. As NPR's Kat Laundstorff reports, the letter

[Kat Laundstorff]

includes signatures from 19 former service secretaries and retired officers who served under presidents from both parties. It acknowledges it's usual for governors to send the National Guard to D.C. for big celebrations, but says, quote, the present situation is fundamentally different. For months, thousands of armed and uniformed troops have been patrolling D.C. as part of an ongoing and controversial anti crime federal task force, which the letter says is a, quote, troubling departure from the separation of military personnel and domestic law enforcement. There are now nearly 5,000 troops in the city. It warns Moore could, quote, only exacerbate these corrosive trends. Kat Lansdorf, NPR News, Washington.

[Franco Ordonez]

Starting today, Medicare beneficiaries can get access

[Ryland Barton]

to popular obesity drugs for $50 a month. NPR's Sydney Lupkin reports on the new option.

[Sydney Lupkin]

The Medicare Bridge program gives beneficiaries access to Wegovy, Zepbound and foundao for $50 monthly. Co pays. But not everyone is eligible. It's limited to patients with Medicare Part D coverage who have a body mass index of over 35 or who have a BMI of over 27 and other qualifying conditions patients. Patients will also need their doctors to fill out prior authorization forms and get them approved before Medicare will cover the drugs. Dr. Dassi Trent is the president of the American association of Clinical Endocrinology.

[Dr. Dassi Trent]

There's hope that within the next upcoming year and a half that we would have people see how successful it is and then hopefully continue it into the future.

[Sydney Lupkin]

The temporary test program will run through the end of 2027. Sidney Lupkin, NPR News.

[Franco Ordonez]

The death toll from last week's earthquakes

[Ryland Barton]

in Venezuela has risen to nearly 2,300 people. More than 11,000 are injured, the number expected to rise. This is NPR News.

[Franco Ordonez]

A federal judge has ordered the Defense Department to lift its requirement that journalists be accompanied by an escort while in the Pentagon. The ruling is another legal setback to the Trump administration's effort to restrict media coverage of the Pentagon. Idaho health officials are investigating two outbreaks

[Ryland Barton]

tied to people drinking raw milk.

[Franco Ordonez]

From member station Boise State Public Radio, Lauren Patterson reports. Officials say more than 100 people there have gotten sick and at least 11 hospitalized.

[Lauren Patterson]

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare says the spike of illnesses tied to drinking unpasteurized or raw milk began in May and that most people are sick from two different milking operations, which are both cooperating with the investigation. Officials say many tested positive for campylobacteriosis, a bacterial infection. Idaho does not require raw milk to be tested for pathogens before going to market. Felicia Wu is a professor of food safety, toxicology and risk assessment at Michigan State University.

[Felicia Wu]

Week after week, there are reports of outbreaks and cases of illness associated with raw milk consumption.

[Lauren Patterson]

A spokesperson for the department said they have no plans for new guidance or restrictions on raw milk. For NPR News, I'm Lauren Patterson in Kuski, Idaho.

[Franco Ordonez]

World cup players are dealing with a new rule that results in a red

[Ryland Barton]

card for anyone covering their mouth when verbally confronting another player.

[Franco Ordonez]

FIFA established the rule to prevent players

[Ryland Barton]

players from hiding abusive comments.

[Franco Ordonez]

A red card means a player was

[Ryland Barton]

ejected from the match and is suspended from the following one.

[Franco Ordonez]

Yesterday, Ecuador defender Piero Incapie was sent

[Ryland Barton]

off in a match against Mexico. This is NPR News from Washington.

[NPR Announcer]

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