NPR News Now — September 4, 2025, 1PM EDT

Brief Overview

In this edition of NPR News Now, Lakshmi Singh provides a fast-paced update on top national and international stories. The five-minute newscast covers significant political clashes over COVID-19 vaccine policies in Washington, growing economic pressures from tariffs on U.S. companies, a devastating earthquake in Afghanistan, and controversies in the arts over museum exhibitions. The summary highlights bipartisan tension over health policy, whistleblower revelations from top scientists, international disaster coverage, and President Trump's continued influence on economics and culture.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Contentious Senate Hearing with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

[00:26–01:14]

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health Secretary, faces bipartisan pushback in a Senate Finance Committee session, primarily centered around his skepticism of vaccines and the availability of COVID-19 vaccines.
• The exchange becomes heated between Kennedy and Senator Elizabeth Warren over accessibility and policy changes for COVID vaccines.
• Kennedy is also confronted by Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, who questions his cancellation of contracts related to COVID vaccines.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Elizabeth Warren [00:46]: “You just changed the classification of the COVID vaccine.”
• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. [00:50]: “I'm not taking them away from people, Senator.”
• Senator Elizabeth Warren [00:52]: “It takes it away. If you can't get it from your pharmacy, well, most of most Americans are.”
• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. [01:09]: “I never promised that I was going to recommend products with which there is no indication.”

2. Vaccine Research Retaliation Whistleblower Complaint

[01:14–02:19]

• Two high-ranking former NIH officials, Dr. Gene Marrazzo and Dr. Kathleen Nuzil, have filed a whistleblower complaint with the Office of Special Counsel.
• They allege illegal retaliation by the Trump administration for resisting the cancellation of vital research and for opposing the politicization of vaccines and scientific studies.
• HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon issues a statement defending the administration’s actions.

Summary by Rob Stein [01:40–02:19]:

“The pair charged the Trump administration illegally retaliated against them for pushing back against the cancellation of critical research, politicizing scientific studies and taking hostile moves against vaccines.”

3. Economic Fallout from New Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum (Impact on Campbell’s)

[02:19–03:20]

• Campbell Soup Company is facing rising costs due to President Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum, vital for packaging canned products.
• Tariffs now account for about 4% of Campbell’s cost of goods—hundreds of millions of dollars.
• The company plans to offset these costs through negotiations, productivity improvements, and necessary “surgical and responsible” price hikes.

Notable Quotes:

• Alina Selyukh [02:36]: “President Trump has added a new 50% tariff on steel. And Campbell’s executives say there's simply not a way to source the needed amount of steel in the United States, so they have to import this key raw material.”

4. Earthquake Tragedy in Afghanistan

[03:20–03:53]

• The Taliban reports earthquake fatalities in eastern Afghanistan have surpassed 2,200, mainly in Kunar province, after a 6.0-magnitude quake.
• Landslides caused by the quake have isolated many villages, severely complicating rescue and relief efforts.
• Helicopters and army commandos are being deployed for aid.

Key Points:

• “First responders and aid workers are reporting remote villages have been cut off by landslides that were caused by the quake. They say the rough terrain is hindering relief efforts.”

5. Cultural Conflict — Amy Sherald’s Exhibition Moves to Baltimore

[03:53–04:57]

• The Baltimore Museum of Art will now host Amy Sherald's retrospective, “American Sublime,” after she canceled its Smithsonian debut.
• The cancellation followed demands that her portrait of a transgender woman be removed.
• The move is set against the backdrop of President Trump’s campaign to reshape cultural institutions.
• The exhibition will open November 2, running for five months.

Notable Quotes:

• Elizabeth Blair [04:14]: “Sherald canceled it after she was told her portrait of a transgender woman might need to be removed. Now American Sublime will run for five months at the Baltimore Museum of Art…”
• Elizabeth Blair [04:42]: “President Trump has aggressively tried to reshape cultural institutions to his liking...museums throughout Washington, but all over the country are essentially the last remaining segment of woke.”

6. Financial Markets Update

[04:57–05:04]

• U.S. stocks are performing well mid-day; the Dow is up more than 200 points.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Kennedy Senate Clashes on COVID Policy: 00:26–01:14
• NIH Whistleblower Complaint: 01:14–02:19
• Economic Update: Tariffs and Campbell’s Cost Pressures: 02:19–03:20
• Afghanistan Earthquake Disaster: 03:20–03:53
• Amy Sherald’s Exhibit & the Politics of Museums: 03:53–04:57
• Stock Market Update: 04:57–05:04

Memorable Moments & Quotes

Senator Warren presses Kennedy:
“You just changed the classification of the COVID vaccine.” [00:46]
Kennedy's defense:
“I'm not taking them away from people, Senator.” [00:50]

Whistleblower report context:
[Rob Stein, 01:40]: “The pair charged the Trump administration illegally retaliated against them for pushing back against the cancellation of critical research, politicizing scientific studies and taking hostile moves against vaccines.”

Tariffs and food prices:
[Alina Selyukh, 02:36]: “Campbell says tariffs are expected to account for about 4% of its cost of goods sold over the next fiscal year.”

Controversy over museum exhibits:
[Elizabeth Blair, 04:42]: “President Trump has aggressively tried to reshape cultural institutions to his liking. In a recent social media post, he claimed, quote, museums ... are essentially the last remaining segment of woke.”

Tone and Style

The reporting remains brisk, factual, and balanced, consistent with NPR’s signature style. The narrative draws on direct quotes and tight summaries, relaying complex developments in politics, economics, disaster relief, and culture with clarity and urgency.