NPR News Now (9AM EDT) – September 20, 2025

Host: Windsor Johnston, NPR
Episode Theme: The top U.S. and world news headlines in five minutes, covering politics, law, technology, and unique cultural moments.

Main Theme

This episode delivers concise coverage of the latest news stories, highlighting political disputes over press freedom, legal setbacks for former President Trump, government actions affecting food assistance and transgender rights, changes to H1B visa policy, a historic honor within the magic community, and a surprising innovation in Albanian governance.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. President Trump Criticizes Media Coverage

[00:12–00:49]

• President Trump accused major news networks of engaging in “cheating” by allegedly providing overwhelmingly negative coverage, and argued this amounts to a violation of free speech.
  • Quote (Pres. Trump) [00:31]:
    "When somebody is given 97% of the stories are bad about a person, that's no longer free speech, that's no longer anything. That's just cheating. And they cheat and they become really members of the Democrat National Committee. That's what they are, the networks. In my opinion."
• Free speech advocates reportedly raised concerns that the administration’s statements, if acted upon, could threaten viewpoint diversity and undermine the press’s role as a governmental check.

2. Trump’s Lawsuit Against The New York Times Dismissed

[00:49–01:40]

• A Florida judge dismissed Trump’s $15 billion lawsuit against the New York Times and four journalists, citing the complaint’s lack of “a short and plain statement” required by federal rules.
  • The complaint was deemed too long and convoluted.
  • Trump was given 28 days to refile a revised version.

3. Federal Court Blocks Withholding of SNAP Funds Over Data Dispute

[01:40–02:20]

• The USDA had required states to submit detailed personal data of SNAP (food assistance) recipients.
• 23 states complied, while others (and Washington D.C.) refused and sued, claiming the demand was unlawful.
• The USDA threatened to withhold funding from non-compliant states.
• A federal judge blocked the agency from doing so as the lawsuit proceeds.
  • Quote (Ju Joffe Block, NPR) [01:40]:
    “A federal judge in San Francisco has ruled the federal agency cannot withhold funding from states that sued as the case proceeds.”

4. Supreme Court Asked to Reinstate Passport Gender Rules

[02:20–03:13]

• The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to roll back a Biden-era policy, pushing to require passport gender to match biological sex at birth.
• Current provisions allow listing ‘male’, ‘female’, or ‘X’; Trump order would revert to only ‘male’ or ‘female’.
  • Quote (Nina Totenberg, NPR) [02:41]:
    “Beginning in the early 1990s, the government allowed trans individuals to list their new gender on their passports. And in 2022, the Biden administration broadened the policy.”

5. New H1B Visa Fee Announced

[03:13–03:45]

• President Trump signed a proclamation introducing a new $100,000 annual fee for H1B visa applicants.
• The controversial visas are crucial for tech companies seeking high-skilled workers, often unfilled by U.S. citizens.

6. Penn & Teller Inducted into the Magic Circle

[03:45–04:30]

• After 50 years being excluded, magicians Penn & Teller were finally inducted into the prestigious Magic Circle in London.
• Their induction was delayed for decades due to their willingness to “reveal tricks”—a cardinal taboo in the magic community.
  • Quote (Penn Jillette) [03:56]:
    “You never tell an audience how a trick is being done. She's going to tell you exactly how the trick is being done.”
  • The president of the Magic Circle praised their sleight of hand: the illusion of revelation while secretly performing entirely different tricks.

7. Albania Appoints AI Bot as Government Minister

[04:30–04:56]

• Albania’s Prime Minister introduced a fully AI-generated bot as a government minister, with the move symbolizing governmental transparency and a push toward innovation.
  • The bot addressed parliament on core values like accountability.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump on Media Coverage:
  “That’s just cheating. And they cheat and they become really members of the Democrat National Committee.” (President Donald Trump, 00:31)

• Ju Joffe Block on SNAP Ruling:
  “A federal judge in San Francisco has ruled the federal agency cannot withhold funding from states that sued as the case proceeds.” (Ju Joffe Block, 01:40)

• Nina Totenberg on Gender Designations:
  “The Trump executive order would allow only two designations on passports, male and female.” (Nina Totenberg, 02:41)

• Magic’s Insider Joke:
  “You never tell an audience how a trick is being done. She’s going to tell you exactly how the trick is being done.” (Penn Jillette, 03:56)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:12] Trump Criticizes Media Coverage
• [00:49] Free Speech Concerns and Lawsuit Dismissal
• [01:40] Federal Court Blocks SNAP Funding Withholding
• [02:20] Passport Gender ID Policy Battle at Supreme Court
• [03:13] H1B Visa $100,000 Fee Announced
• [03:45] Penn & Teller Join the Magic Circle
• [04:30] Albania’s AI Government Minister

This episode efficiently encapsulates ongoing political disputes, major legal rulings, policy changes affecting marginalized communities, and moments of cultural transformation, all in less than five minutes.