NPR News: 07-18-2025 12AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of Episode Released on July 18, 2025

1. President Trump Threatens Legal Action Over Epstein Allegations (00:21 - 01:16)

In the early hours of July 18, NPR's Shea Stevens reports that former President Donald Trump is poised to sue The Wall Street Journal and its owner. This legal threat stems from the publication of an article that connects Trump to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Stephen Fowler elaborates on the situation:

"In a Truth Social post, Trump said the Wall Street Journal was told directly by Caroline Levitt and by President Trump that the letter was a fake" (00:41).

Trump further criticized the handling of the Epstein files, which have been a source of ongoing controversy. Initially promising to release these files to his supporters, his administration later claimed they did not exist, labeling them a "hoax" orchestrated by Democrats and "stupid Republicans."

2. Attorney General Bondi and the Epstein Grand Jury Transcripts (01:16 - 01:40)

Amidst the legal tensions, Attorney General Pam Bondi took to X (formerly Twitter) to assert the administration's readiness to seek a court order to unseal the grand jury transcripts related to Epstein's case. This move underscores the administration's commitment to transparency in the ongoing investigation.

3. Update on President Trump's Health (01:40 - 01:58)

President Trump has been diagnosed with a benign vein disorder following a medical examination prompted by leg swelling. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt provided a comprehensive overview:

"The president underwent a comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies. Bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition" (01:40).

A follow-up note from Trump's doctors confirmed that his lab results were normal, and an echocardiogram showed no indications of heart failure or kidney issues, alleviating concerns about the severity of his condition.

4. Tragic Strike on Gaza's Holy Family Church (01:58 - 03:12)

NPR correspondent Anas Baba reports from Gaza City on a devastating Israeli strike that targeted the Holy Family Church, resulting in the deaths of at least three Palestinian Christians and injuring the parish priest. The church had been a shelter for approximately 400 Palestinian Christians over the past 21 months of conflict. Shadi Abu Dawood, a survivor, recounted the harrowing experience:

"Suddenly, an Israeli tank shell hit the church and people were wounded, including his mother and son. He said it's the second time the Catholic church has been hit in the war" (02:27).

This incident marks a continuation of the violence, following a previous strike in October 2023 that killed 21 Palestinian Christians. Gaza's health ministry reports that over 58,500 people have lost their lives in the ongoing war initiated by Israeli airstrikes.

5. US Markets, Syria's Sectarian Unrest, and Stephen Colbert's Show Cancellation (03:12 - 04:42)

Shea Stevens updates listeners that US futures are climbing in after-hours trading on Wall Street, reflecting a positive economic sentiment. Shifting focus to Syria, interim President Ahmed Al Sharar has called for national unity in the wake of Syrian forces withdrawing from Suwayda, a southern city recently plagued by sectarian violence involving Druze militia and Bedouin fighters. The unrest threatens to destabilize Syria’s post-war recovery, a year after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

In entertainment news, late-night icon Stephen Colbert announced via the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York that CBS will end his show in the upcoming spring. NPR’s Mandalit del Barco reports:

"The live audience...was not happy to hear Stephen Colbert deliver the news that this will be his show's final season" (03:54).

Colbert addressed the audience poignantly:

"Yeah, I share your feelings. It's not just the end of our show, but it's the end of the Late show on CBS. I'm not being replaced. This is all just going away" (04:03).

CBS attributes the decision to financial considerations, clarifying that it is unrelated to the show's performance or content. This announcement follows CBS allocating $16 million to settle a lawsuit filed by former presidential candidate Donald Trump, whom Colbert frequently lampooned on his show.

6. Passing of Pop Legend Connie Francis (04:42 - 04:59)

In a poignant moment, NPR's Shea Stevens announces the passing of 1960s pop singer Connie Francis at the age of 87. Renowned for hits like "Who's Sorry Now" and "Where the Boys Are," Francis left an indelible mark on the music industry. Notably, her 1962 hit "Pretty Little Baby" has experienced a resurgence, gaining popularity on the social media platform TikTok.

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This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates a spectrum of pressing issues, from the political turbulence surrounding President Trump and the Epstein case to international conflicts impacting civilian lives, market movements, and significant cultural losses. Through detailed reporting and firsthand accounts, NPR continues to provide listeners with comprehensive and engaging news coverage.

Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. President Trump is threatening to sue the Wall Street Journal and its owner for publishing an article linking him to a convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. As NPR's Stephen Fowler reports, the Journal obtained a letter allegedly sent by Trump to Epstein for his 50th birthday.

[Stephen Fowler]

In a Truth social post, Trump said the Wall Street Journal was told directly by Caroline Levitt and by President Trump that the letter was a fake. Later, Trump also said in a post he asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce, quote, any and all pertinent grand jury testimony in Epstein's case. For more than a week, Trump has faced controversy over the so called Epstein files, files that Trump once told his supporters he would release, then his administration said didn't exist and that he now falsely claims is a, quote, hoax pushed by Democrats and, quote, stupid Republicans. Stephen Fowler, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

Meanwhile, in a message posted on X, Attorney General Pam Bondi says that the administration is ready to press the court to unseal the grand jury. Transcripts. The Epstein file. President Trump has been diagnosed with a vein disorder after undergoing a medical exam for swelling in his legs. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt offered a detailed summary of the president's diagnosis, emphasizing that the condition is not life threatening.

[Caroline Levitt]

The president underwent a comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies. Bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition.

[Shea Stevens]

A note from Trump's doctors said the president's lab results were within normal limits and an echocardiogram showed no signs of heart failure or kidney problems. Pope Leo has expressed deep sorrow over an Israeli strike that hit Gaza's Catholic church. The strike killed at least three Palestinian Christians sheltering inside and wounded the parish priest. The Israeli government has expressed sorrow over the incident, as NPR's Anas Baba reports from Gaza City.

[Anas Baba]

The Israeli artillery chill that hit the Holy Family Church in Gaza City damaged the roof of the sanctuary. 400 Palestinian Christians have been sheltering on the church grounds throughout the past 21 months of war. Shadi Abu Dawood, a survivor of the strike, told NPR he was in the courtyard with his mother and son. Suddenly, an Israeli tank chill hit the church and people were wounded, including his mother and son. He said it's the second time the Catholic church has been hit in the war. In October 2023, another Israeli strike on church killed 21 Palestinian Christians. Israeli airstrikes continue to intensify. Gaza's health ministry says more than 58,500 people have been killed in the war by Israel. Anas Baba, NPR News, Gaza City.

[Shea Stevens]

US Futures are higher in after hours trading on Wall Street. This is npr. Syrian forces have left the southern city of Suwayda, the scene of days of sectarian violence involving minority Druze militia and Bedouin fighters. Interim President Ahmed Al Sharar has issued a call for unity. The unrest has threatened to unravel Syria's post war transition, a year after the fall of the Bashir regime. Late night television host Stephen Colbert has made a surprising announcement that CBS is ending his show next spring. As NPR's Mendelito Barco reports, the network says it was a purely financial decision.

[Mandalit del Barco]

The live audience at New York's Ed Sullivan Theater was not happy to hear Stephen Colbert deliver the news that this will be his show's final season.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, I share your feelings. It's not just the end of our show, but it's the end of the Late show on cbs. I'm not being replaced. This is all just going away.

[Mandalit del Barco]

Colbert has hosted the show since 2015, taking over for David Letterman. The news comes Shortly after CBS PA $16 million to settle a lawsuit filed by then presidential candidate Donald Trump, who Colbert regularly skewers in his monologues. In a statement, the network said ending the show was a financial decision and, quote, not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount. That's CBS's parent company, Mandalit del Barco. NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

1960S pop singer Connie Francis has died at the age of 87. Francis recorded more than a dozen top 20 hits, including who's Sorry now and where the boys are. The 1962 release Pretty Little Baby recently became a hit on TikTok. This is NPR News.

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