NPR News: July 19, 2025, 1 AM EDT

Hosted by Dale Willman, NPR News Now delivers the latest headlines and in-depth reporting in five minutes. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key topics discussed in the July 19, 2025, episode.

1. President Trump Sues Rupert Murdoch Over Jeffrey Epstein Report

Dale Willman opened the broadcast with a significant legal development involving former President Donald Trump and media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Trump has filed a lawsuit against Murdoch in response to a Wall Street Journal report alleging that Trump sent a lewd birthday card to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein over two decades ago.

Key Details:

• The lawsuit also targets the Wall Street Journal and two of its reporters.
• This legal action follows Trump’s previous lawsuits against ABC, CBS, Meta, and X, all of which settled by paying his Future Presidential Library over $10 million.
• The Wall Street Journal claimed Trump doodled a picture of a naked woman and included the phrase, “May every day be another wonderful secret.”
• The Journal’s parent company defended their reporting's integrity, stating, “We have full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting” (00:38).

Impact and Context:

• Rupert Murdoch, as the owner of Fox News, has been a pivotal ally for Trump in political circles.
• The controversy centers around Epstein, who died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, a subject that has spawned various conspiracy theories among Trump supporters.

2. Increasing Pressure on Trump to Release Epstein Files

The discussion shifted to the growing demand for transparency surrounding the Epstein case. Ryan Lucas highlighted that pressure is mounting on Trump from both his base and political opponents to release all federal documents related to Epstein.

Notable Insights:

• Ryan Lucas stated, “Trump and some of his top lieutenants... have themselves... pushed some of the conspiracy theories... that set certain expectations about the Epstein files” (01:34).
• This includes both the content of the files and the level of transparency expected by the public.

Democratic Response:

• Democrats are actively calling for a complete disclosure of all federal documents pertaining to Epstein’s case, emphasizing the need for accountability and clarity.

3. Release of American Prisoners from Venezuela

Dale Willman reported on a significant prisoner swap facilitated by El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, resulting in the release of ten American citizens held in Venezuela.

Highlights:

• Michel Kellerman conveyed President Bukele’s remarks: “Venezuela released a considerable number of political prisoners as well as the American citizens it was holding” (02:16).
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed gratitude, noting, “Until today, there were more Americans wrongfully held in Venezuela than any other country in the world”.

Background:

• The swap was part of a long-negotiated deal where El Salvador extradited Venezuelan nationals previously deported to the country. In return, these individuals, deemed gang members, were released alongside the American hostages.
• Michel Kellerman emphasized that Bukele described the deal as months in the making, highlighting the intricate diplomatic efforts involved.

4. Regulation of Stablecoins and Cryptocurrency Interests

In a move reflecting the growing intersection between politics and digital finance, Dale Willman reported that President Trump signed a bill regulating stablecoins—a type of cryptocurrency designed to minimize price volatility.

Key Points:

• The legislation recently passed the House and aims to provide a framework for the oversight of stablecoin operations.
• Trump's family businesses hold significant stakes in the cryptocurrency market, potentially positioning them to benefit financially as the sector undergoes increased regulation and expansion.

Implications:

• The regulation seeks to stabilize the cryptocurrency market, making it more secure and reliable for consumers and investors.
• Trump's endorsement of the bill indicates a strategic alignment with both business interests and technological advancements in finance.

5. Wildfire on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park

A developing story covered by RYA Hintress from member station KNAU detailed a severe wildfire affecting the north rim of the Grand Canyon National Park.

Situation Overview:

• The wildfire, known as the Dragon Bravo fire, has consumed over 11,500 acres and destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.
• Stephan Laskay, spokesperson for the incident management team, provided updates on the firefighting efforts, stating, “Lower temperatures and higher humidity have moderated fire behavior in recent days” (03:35).

Current Challenges:

• Ryan Huitches reported concerns about the upcoming weather forecast: “We're getting a return to the hotter, drier weather. We're all on our toes, expecting more fire movement” (03:52).
• Firefighters, numbering over 600, are attempting to capitalize on the current favorable conditions before a potential weather shift exacerbates the situation.

Background:

• The fire was ignited by lightning on July 4th. Initially, authorities allowed parts of the blaze to burn naturally, but it escalated due to heavy winds, leading to extensive damage and multiple structural losses.

6. Passing of Alan Bergman and British Open Golf Update

Dale Willman also shared news from the worlds of entertainment and sports.

Entertainment:

• The community mourns the loss of Alan Bergman, an Oscar-winning lyricist who died at 99 in Los Angeles. A family spokesperson noted, “He was among the most successful and prolific teams of their time” (04:20).
• Bergman collaborated with his wife, Marilyn, crafting lyrics and music for timeless classics such as “It Might Be You” and “The Way We Were.”

Sports:

• In golf, Scottie Scheffler is leading the British Open in Ireland with a one-stroke advantage after shooting a 64 on Friday.
• Matt Fitzpatrick, a former US Open winner, trails by one stroke, while Rory McIlroy, after a 69, remains seven shots behind the leader.

This episode of NPR News Now provided a broad spectrum of news, from high-stakes political litigation and international prisoner exchanges to environmental crises and notable passings in the entertainment industry. For more detailed coverage, listeners are encouraged to access the full NPR News Now podcast.

Timestamps Reference:

• 00:38 David Folkenflick on Trump's lawsuit against Murdoch.
• 01:34 Ryan Lucas discusses pressure on Trump regarding Epstein files.
• 02:16 Michel Kellerman reports on the prisoner swap.
• 03:35 Stephan Laskay updates on the Grand Canyon wildfire.
• 03:52 Ryan Huitches on impending weather challenges for the wildfire.
• 04:20 Dale Willman announces Alan Bergman’s passing.