NPR News Now – September 17, 2025, 12PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise roundup of major global and national news stories from midday September 17, 2025. Key events include President Trump’s second state visit to the UK and its associated protests, the ousted CDC director’s Senate testimony, latest developments in the political violence investigation related to Charlie Kirk, changes at the Federal Reserve, Eli Lilly’s new obesity drug study, and an update on US stock markets.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s Second State Visit to the United Kingdom

[00:17–01:53]

• Unprecedented diplomatic context: President Trump is on his second state visit to the UK, greeted with full royal honors at Windsor Castle by King Charles, in what is described as “tiara diplomacy” aiming to strengthen US-UK relations.
• Public protest reaction: Anti-Trump protesters projected an image of Trump with Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle’s walls, spotlighting the scandal ties (four arrests reported).
• Royal family connections: Noted by NPR’s Lauren Frayer: “It’s not just Trump. King Charles’ brother Prince Andrew was also friends with Epstein. So was the UK Ambassador to Washington, who last week was fired for Epstein ties.” [01:12]
• Additional protests: Climate activists disrupted a Republican dinner with the chant:
  • Protester: “If you drill, baby, drill, how many will you kill?” [01:30]
• Public sentiment: “Polls show more than 60% of Britons have an unfavorable view of Trump.” [01:36]
• Memorable image: Baby Trump blimps once again soar over protest crowds in London.

2. CDC Director Ouster & Senate Testimony

[01:53–02:30]

• Former CDC director Susan Menarez testifies before the Senate on her forced resignation after only weeks on the job, blaming political interference—especially concerning vaccine recommendations.
• Quote – Susan Menarez:
  • "I resigned because CDC leaders were reduced to rubber stamps, supporting policies not based in science and putting American lives at risk. Secretary Kennedy censored CDC science, politicized its processes and stripped leaders of independence. I could not in good conscience remain under those conditions." [02:09]
• Political pushback: Kennedy’s allies counter that Menarez is spreading falsehoods and undermining the administration.

3. Aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s Assassination & Online Radicalization

[02:30–03:00]

• After conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Congress plans hearings on “radicalization of online forum users.” Discord’s CEO among those subpoenaed.
• Alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, used Discord the day of the assassination and is facing serious charges.

4. Federal Reserve Developments

[03:00–04:02]

• Fed expected to cut benchmark rate by 0.25%, the first reduction in nine months, amid presidential pressure on the central bank.
• White House/Fed tension: President Trump pushes for further rate cuts and is attempting to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook, who is contesting this in court.
• New economist Stephen Myron has joined the Fed’s governing board.

5. Eli Lilly’s Experimental Obesity Pill

[04:02–04:40]

• New study shows patients on Eli Lilly’s oral obesity drug, orphaglipron, lost an average of 11.2% of body weight over 18 months (study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, funded by Eli Lilly).
• Quote – Cydney Lupkin:
  • “Patients taking the highest dose of Eli Lilly's experimental obesity pill lost an average of 11.2% of their body weight. ... The study also suggested the drug had similar adverse events to other obesity drugs on the market.” [04:02]
• Previous results caused an Eli Lilly stock drop due to less effective outcomes compared with rival Wegovy injection.

6. Stock Market Update

[04:40–04:55]

• Dow Jones up by 329 points (~0.75%); Nasdaq down by 116; S&P off by 6.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lauren Frayer (on Windsor Castle protest):
  • “Video of Trump and Epstein lit up the castle walls after dark. ... It's not just Trump. King Charles’ brother Prince Andrew was also friends with Epstein. So was the UK Ambassador to Washington…” [01:04, 01:12]
• Susan Menarez (CDC director testimony):
  • “I resigned because CDC leaders were reduced to rubber stamps… I could not in good conscience remain under those conditions.” [02:09]
• Protester (climate protest at Windsor):
  • “If you drill, baby, drill, how many will you kill?” [01:30]
• Lauren Frayer (on public sentiment):
  • “Polls show more than 60% of Britons have an unfavorable view of Trump.” [01:36]
• Cydney Lupkin (on obesity drug results):
  • “Patients taking the highest dose of Eli Lilly's experimental obesity pill lost an average of 11.2% of their body weight. ... The study also suggested the drug had similar adverse events to other obesity drugs on the market.” [04:02]

Important Timestamps

• [00:17] – Introduction to President Trump’s UK state visit and royal reception.
• [01:02] – Lauren Frayer reports from Windsor Castle on protests and scandal.
• [01:53] – Senate testimony of ousted CDC director Susan Menarez.
• [02:30] – Fallout from Charlie Kirk assassination; online radicalization hearings.
• [03:00] – Federal Reserve’s policy meeting and White House interventions.
• [04:02] – Eli Lilly’s obesity pill trial results.
• [04:40] – Stock market snapshot.

Conclusion

This episode delivers high-impact global and national news headlines, marked by sharp political tensions in both the US and UK. With brief yet substantial updates—from royal diplomacy and anti-Trump protests abroad to domestic health controversies, financial policy, and biotech breakthroughs—the episode provides a snapshot of a complex and rapidly evolving news day.