NPR News: 07-24-2025 2AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 24, 2025, 2AM EDT

Hosted by NPR, this episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive update on the latest national and international news. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes and structured for easy navigation.

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1. U.S. Tariffs and Economic Impact

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant on Tariff Duties

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant addressed the ongoing debate surrounding the impact of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Speaking on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Besant highlighted the distribution of tariff burdens between manufacturers and consumers.

"Who pays the tariffs is a choice, and what we've seen thus far is that the manufacturers are eating a substantial portion of the tariffs and taking it into their profit margins."
— Scott Besant ([00:38]

Besant emphasized that manufacturers have been absorbing much of the tariff costs, challenging claims that American consumers are predominantly affected.

Automotive Industry's Financial Struggles

The automotive sector is feeling the strain of these tariffs, with General Motors reporting a $3 billion profit loss in the second quarter. Stellantis echoed similar challenges, projecting a $2 billion loss for the same period. These figures underscore the significant financial impact of tariff policies on major U.S. companies.

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2. Legal Developments on Citizenship and Federal Appointments

Birthright Citizenship Court Ruling

A pivotal decision emerged from a federal appeals court in San Francisco, where a panel from the 9th Circuit struck down President Trump's executive order intended to revoke birthright citizenship. The ruling, decided by a 2-1 vote, propels the case closer to the U.S. Supreme Court for final adjudication.

President Trump's Executive Order on 'Woke AI'

In a broader push addressing artificial intelligence, President Trump signed an executive order targeting tech companies. The order seeks to bar federal contracts with AI firms deemed to promote "woke" ideologies.

"AI models that push diversity, equity and inclusion, transgenderism and critical race theory."
— President Trump ([01:32]

NPR's Bobby Allen reports that the administration plans to vet AI companies to ensure their models do not propagate what Trump terms "woke Marxist lunacy." AI scholars caution that bias in AI outputs often depends on the framing of questions and data sources. To comply, experts suggest that companies might develop anti-woke chatbots to secure future federal contracts.

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3. Texas Flooding and Emergency Management

Hearings on Flood Preparedness

A Texas legislative committee focused on flooding convened to discuss strategies for managing natural disasters, particularly after recent severe flooding in Central Texas. Over eight hours, various state agencies presented their needs and recommendations.

"We've got some great local emergency managers out there, but there's no baseline standardization for how they got to where they are."
— Nim Kidd, Texas Division of Emergency Management ([02:43]

Chief Nim Kidd proposed that only credentialed and professionally certified emergency managers should be appointed, addressing the variability in qualifications across counties. The next committee meeting is scheduled in Kerrville, the hardest-hit area, where lawmakers aim to engage emotionally affected residents and officials involved in ongoing recovery and cleanup efforts.

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4. Supreme Court Rulings and Federal Commissions

U.S. Supreme Court on Consumer Product Safety Commission Appointments

The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a split decision allowing the Trump administration to terminate three Democratic commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission without cause. These commissioners, who were dismissed in May, had previously been reinstated by a federal judge. The commission plays a crucial role in identifying and banning dangerous consumer products.

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5. International Tensions: Thailand and Cambodia

Renewed Clashes Between Thai and Cambodian Forces

Thailand's military reported at least one death and three injuries resulting from renewed clashes with Cambodian forces. The Thai army conducted airstrikes targeting ground positions in Cambodia, specifically near two temples.

"Cambodian forces positions near two temples."
— Thailand's Statement ([03:42]

Cambodia's Prime Minister condemned the attacks, citing them as assaults on army positions. The confrontations have arisen in six areas along the Thai-Cambodian border, escalating regional tensions.

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6. Music Industry Updates: Billboard Charts

Shifts at the Top of the Billboard Charts

The music industry saw significant changes on the Billboard charts this week. Morgan Wallen's album, I'm the Problem, which had dominated as the country's top album, was dethroned by two new releases.

• Travis Scott's Jack Boyz II debuted at number one, bolstered by traditional album sales.
• Justin Bieber's Swag secured the number two spot, driven primarily by streaming popularity, contributing to 16 of its tracks entering this week's Hot 100 singles chart.

"Justin Bieber's new album, Swag. The success of Bieber's album is mostly due to streaming, which has helped land 16 of its songs on this week's Hot 100 singles chart."
— Stephen Thompson, NPR News ([04:04]

These developments highlight shifting dynamics in music consumption, with traditional sales and streaming both playing pivotal roles in chart rankings.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivered a broad spectrum of updates, from economic policies and their impacts on industries to significant legal decisions and international conflicts. Additionally, it touched upon cultural shifts within the music industry, reflecting changes in consumer behavior. Each segment was enriched with expert insights and direct quotes, providing listeners with a well-rounded understanding of the current news landscape.

Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

In Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. U.S. treasury Secretary Scott Besant is leaving open the possibility that the Trump administration could extend the deadline for countries facing steep tariffs to reach a deal with the U.S. speaking on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Besant also pushed back on claims that American consumers are bearing the brunt of the tariffs.

[Scott Besant]

Who pays the tariffs is a choice, and what we've seen thus far is that the manufacturers are eating a substantial portion of the tariffs and taking it into their profit margins.

[Shea Stevens]

General Motors is reporting a profit loss of $3 billion in the second quarter partly due to tariffs, and Stellantis is projecting a 2 point billion loss for the same period. A federal appeals court panel in San Francisco has struck down President Trump's order to end birthright citizenship. The 2 to 1 ruling by the 9th Circuit puts the matter closer to appearing before the U.S. supreme Court. President Trump has signed an executive order barring federal contracts with tech companies that operate what he calls woke AI. As NPR's Bobby Allen reports, it's among a number of artificial intelligence related actions that the White House unveiled on Wednesday.

[Bobby Allen]

President Trump says the administration will now be vetting AI companies to make sure wokeness is not being spread by AI. The president order defines that as AI models that push diversity, equity and inclusion, transgenderism and critical race theory. Trump announced it at an AI summit in Washington. The American people do not want woke Marxist lunacy in the AI models. AI scholars say while chatbots can generate left leaning policy positions, it depends on how questions are framed and what part of the Internet is being sourced. Experts say in order to comply with the order, AI companies may create anti woke chatbots to land future federal contracts. Bobby Allen, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

A Texas committee focused on flooding has heard from several state agencies on their needs during natural disasters. The panel of state lawmakers was created in wake of the flooding in Central Texas. From the Texas newsroom, Blaze Gainey has more.

[Blaze Gainey]

Several recommendations were tossed around during the more than eight hour long hearing. One recommendation from Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd was to start only allowing credentialed professionally certified emergency managers, which in smaller counties can often be an appointed position.

[Scott Besant]

We've got some great local emergency managers out there, but there's no baseline standardization for how they got to where they are.

[Blaze Gainey]

The next meeting will be held in Kerrville. The area hardest hit by the storm. Lawmakers expect it to be emotional, but also a chance to hear from residents and impacted by the storm and local officials still dealing with recovery and cleanup efforts. I'm Blaze Gainey in Austin.

[Shea Stevens]

US Futures are flat and after hours trading on Wall street on Asia Pacific market shares are mixed. This is NPR. A divided U.S. supreme Court says the Trump administration is allowed to fire three Democrats on the Consumer Product Safety Commission without cause. The three were let go in May and then reinstated by a federal judge. Among other things, the commission identifies and bans dangerous consum consumer products. Thailand's army is reporting at least one death and three injuries from renewed clashes with forces in Cambodia. The Thai army says it's launched airstrikes on Cambodian ground targets. Cambodia's prime minister says Thailand attacked army positions near two temples. There have been clashes in six areas along the Thai Cambodian border. This week is a big week on the Billboard music charts. As NPR Stephen Thompson reports, five new albums are debuting in the top 10 eight weeks.

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Morgan Wallen's I'm the problem was the biggest album in the country. Many other records came and went after failing to dislodge Wallen from number one this week. That streak ends thanks to two new blockbusters. The first is by Travis Scott and his hip hop collective Jackboyz called Jack Boyz ii. That album debuts at number one this week, largely driven by old fashioned album sales. At number two is Justin Bieber's new album, Swag. The success of Bieber's album is mostly due to streaming, which has helped land 16 of its songs on this week's Hot 100 singles chart. Stephen Thompson, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

This is NPR.

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