NPR News: 07-24-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 24, 2025, 10 PM EDT

Released on July 25, 2025

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Federal Reserve Renovation Costs Under Scrutiny

Host Kristen Wright opens the evening with a heated exchange between President Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell regarding the escalating costs of the Federal Reserve's headquarters renovation in Washington.

• Trump criticized the project as "expensive and out of control," alleging mismanagement of funds.

• Jerome Powell responded promptly, clarifying the President's misunderstanding:

  [00:54] "You're including the Martin renovation. You just added a third building is what that is... It's part of the overall work."

The Federal Reserve attributes the rising expenses to factors such as Trump's tariffs and the financial burdens of complying with historical preservation requirements.

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Ghislaine Maxwell Meets with Deputy Attorney General

In a significant development, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch announced plans to continue his investigation by interviewing Ghislaine Maxwell, a key figure connected to Jeffrey Epstein.

• Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein's exploitation of underage girls, met with Blanch in Florida.

• Maxwell's attorney, David Marcus, affirmed her cooperation:

  [01:48] "Ms. Maxwell answered every single question. She never stopped. She never invoked a privilege. She never declined to answer."

Details of the conversation remain undisclosed as the Trump administration faces increasing scrutiny over its handling of the Epstein case files.

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Brazilian Beef Exports to US Hit Record Lows

President Trump's imposition of tariffs on Brazilian beef in April has severely impacted the meat industry's dynamics.

• Carrie Kahn reports that beef sales to the US have plummeted by nearly 80%, with prices soaring by 12%.

• The Brazilian Meat Exporters Association attributes the decline to the 10% tariff and impending tariff increases slated for August 1st as the Federal Reserve's deadline approaches.

Exporters are now seeking negotiations, postponing shipments, and exploring alternative markets. Notably, about 25% of Brazil's beef exports were directed to the US, influenced by Trump's stance against the "unfair prosecution" of Brazil's former president, a political ally facing accusations of coup plotting post-2022 elections.

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Trump Influences Redistricting Efforts in Missouri

Amidst stalled Gaza ceasefire negotiations in Qatar, political maneuvers unfold within the US.

• Jason Rosenbaum reports that President Trump is pressuring Missouri Republicans to redraw the state's congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterms.

• Representative Eric Burleson confirms White House involvement:

  [03:42] "I can confirm that the White House is pursuing it."

The proposed redistricting targets Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver's seat in Kansas City, as Republicans strive to maintain their slim House majority:

[03:45] "It's such a thin majority. It's so thin that every seat is going to count."

Additionally, California Governor Gavin Newsom has pledged to overhaul California's congressional map to favor Democrats should Texas Republicans execute their redistricting plans.

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Jeanine Pirro Advances in US Attorney Nomination

President Trump continues to push his judicial agenda with the nomination of Jeanine Pirro to head the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington.

• The Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced her nomination despite Democratic criticism of Pirro's remarks labeling January 6th defendants as "hostages."

• The President lauds her extensive experience as a former local prosecutor in New York and her tenure as a Fox News host, highlighting her suitability for the role.

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Smithsonian Cancels Amy Sherald’s National Portrait Gallery Show

In the arts sector, artist Amy Sherald has canceled her highly anticipated exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington.

• Sherald, renowned for her portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama, cited concerns from the museum regarding one of her pieces titled "Transforming Liberty 2024," which features a transgender woman holding a torch.

This cancellation marks a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue surrounding art, representation, and institutional sensitivities.

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Conclusion

Tonight's NPR News Now covered a spectrum of pivotal topics, from high-stakes political disputes and international trade tensions to significant legal proceedings and cultural controversies. Each segment provided deep insights into the evolving narratives shaping the national and global landscape.

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This summary is based on the NPR News Now episode released on July 25, 2025.

Transcript

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[Kristen Wright]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Kristen Wright. President Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell had a remarkable exchange in front of reporters over the cost of a renovation project at the Fed' headquarters in Washington. Trump was touring the site today to see the work that's being done. He called it expensive and out of control and accused Powell of mismanaging project costs, which have risen in recent years. At one point, Powell corrected Trump and said the president's tally of $3 billion was including a building that isn't part of the ongoing renovation.

[Jerome Powell]

You're including the Martin renovation. You just added. You just added in a third building is what that is. That's a third building. It's a building that's being built. No, it's been it was built five years ago. We finished Martin five years ago. It's part of the overall work.

[Kristen Wright]

So the Federal Reserve says the project got more expensive partly because of Trump's tariffs and also the cost to comply with historical preservation. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch says he'll continue his interview with Jeffrey Epstein's longtime confidant Ghislaine Maxwell tomorrow. After meeting with her today, Maxwell's attorney says she was forthcoming. NPR's Ryan Lucas reports.

[Todd Blanch]

Todd Blanche met with Maxwell in Florida, where she is currently serving a 20 year sentence for her role helping Epstein sexually exploit underage girls. Maxwell's attorney, David Marcus, briefly spoke to reporters outside the courthouse where the meeting took place.

[David Marcus]

Ms. Maxwell answered every single question. She never stopped. She never invoked a privilege. She never declined to answer. She answered all the questions truthfully, honestly and to the best of her ability to.

[Todd Blanch]

It is unclear what Maxwell told Blanche, who arranged the meeting. As the Trump administration tries to tamp down the uproar over its handling of the Epstein files. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

[Kristen Wright]

Beef sales to the US From Brazil are plummeting as prices in US Markets rise. President Trump levied tariffs on Brazilian beef in April and has threatened to raise them even higher by August 1st. NPR's Carrie Kahn reports.

[Carrie Kahn]

Beef exports were already falling since April, when Trump slapped a 10% tariff on Brazilian goods. But in recent months, as the Fed 50% deadline nears, meat supplies to the US have plummeted, according to Brazil's Meat Exporter association. Sales dropped nearly 80%. Prices have jumped by 12%. Beef exporters are urging negotiations. Meanwhile, many are postponing shipments and exploring new markets. A quarter of Brazil's beef goes to the U.S. president Trump threatened the high tariff because of the, quote, unfair prosecution of Brazil's ex president, a political ally. The former Brazilian leader is facing charges of plotting a coup to stay in power after his 2022 election defeat. Carrie Kahn, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro.

[Kristen Wright]

Gaza cease fire talks in Qatar have stalled for now. The US Is bringing its negotiating team back home to discuss the latest response from Hamas. This is NPR News. A member of Congress says President Trump is pressuring Missouri Republicans to redraw the state's congressional map ahead of the midterm elections next year. St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum reports.

[Jason Rosenbaum]

Trump has called on Texas to revamp its congressional map to add up to five GOP seats. And Springfield Congressman Eric Burleson says that the White House also wants Missouri to act as well.

[Eric Burleson]

I can confirm that the White House is pursuing it.

[Jason Rosenbaum]

Missouri Republicans would target Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, who represents a Kansas City based seat. Burleson says that Trump and his fellow Republicans are being proactive at preserving their House majority.

[Eric Burleson]

It's such a thin majority. It's so thin that every seat is going to count.

[Jason Rosenbaum]

California Governor Gavin Newsom also said he would try to overhaul California's congressional map to favor Democrats if Texas Republicans followed through with their redistricting plan. For NPR News, I'm Jason Rosenbaum in St. Louis.

[Kristen Wright]

President Trump's nomination of Jeanine Pirro to lead the U.S. attorney's office in Washington is moving forward. The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced her nomination today. Democrats criticize Pirro for calling January 6th defendants hostages. The president praises her experience as a former local prosecutor in New York. Pirro was also a Fox News host. Artist Amy Sherrild has canceled her upcoming show at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington. Sherrild is best known for her portrait of former first Lady Michelle Obama. The artist says the museum had concerns about a painting in the show of a transgender woman holding a torch called Transforming Liberty 2024. I'm Kristen Wright, and this is NPR News from Washington.

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