NPR News: 09-23-2025 2PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now — Episode Summary

Podcast: NPR News Now
Host: Lakshmi Singh
Episode: 09-23-2025 2PM EDT
Air Date: September 23, 2025
Duration: ~5 minutes

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Overview

This episode delivers a concise update on key national and international news. Topics include the fallout over Jimmy Kimmel Live’s broadcast restrictions, Donald Trump's address at the UN, renewed US-China engagement, a high-profile criminal trial, insights from Kamala Harris’s campaign memoir, and the current performance of US stock markets.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jimmy Kimmel Live Pulled from Major Networks (00:18-01:24)

• Context: Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show has been reinstated on ABC but remains off the air on affiliates owned by Sinclair and Nexstar, accounting for over 20% of ABC stations nationwide.
• Details:
  • Nexstar and Sinclair pulled the show under pressure from FCC Chair Brendan Carr.
  • Nexstar, amid merger approval proceedings, stated it needed “assurance that Jimmy Kimmel Live will foster what it called respectful, constructive dialogue.”
  • Kimmel’s show is still available on Disney-owned streaming services.
  • Ongoing discussions between Sinclair and ABC.

Notable Quote:

“Nexstar needs FTC approval right now to finalize a merger that would make it the largest owner of local stations in the country. In a statement, the company said it needed assurance that Jimmy Kimmel Live will foster what it called respectful, constructive dialogue.”
— Neta Ulaby, NPR Reporter [00:41]

2. Trump’s Speech at the United Nations (01:24-02:04)

• Context: At the 80th UN General Assembly, Former President Trump sharply criticized the United Nations and European allies.
• Key Points:
  • Accused UN of not reaching its potential.
  • Criticized Europe for immigration policies, Palestinian state support, and clean energy advocacy.
  • Labeled climate change mitigation as a "con job."
  • Trump referenced his reputation for predictions, adding personal anecdotes.

Notable Quote:

“If you don’t get away from this green scam, your country is going to fail. And I’m really good at predicting things. … Trump was right about everything. And I don’t say that in a braggadocious way, but it’s true.”
— Donald Trump [01:47]

• Additional Note: Trump scheduled to meet leaders from Ukraine, EU, and Argentina; publicly endorsed libertarian President Javier Milei.

3. US-China Relations and Boeing Deal (02:04-03:13)

• Context: A bipartisan US Congressional delegation visits China, pushing for better engagement and Boeing aircraft sales.
• Key Details:
  • Visit is the first by such a delegation since 2019, seeking to reduce tensions and support dialogue.
  • Representative Adam Smith emphasized the need for military-to-military communication due to close encounters between planes and ships.
  • Meetings held with Premier Li Qiang and Defense Minister Dong Jun.
  • US Ambassador David Perdue stated that a major Boeing deal is in final negotiation stages.
  • Trump and Xi Jinping expected to meet in South Korea next month.

Notable Quote:

“Representative Adam Smith said more dialogue is needed because right now the two countries are essentially talking past each other.”
— Anthony Kuhn, NPR Reporter [02:31]

4. Presidential Assassination Attempt Trial (03:13-03:32)

• Context: Jury deliberates the fate of Ryan Routh, accused of plotting to kill Trump at his Florida golf club last year.
• Key Details:
  • Closing arguments concluded.
  • Routh represents himself, argues prosecutorial failure to prove intent.
  • Routh refers to himself in third person.
• Quote:

“Probably.”
— Ryan Routh, Defendant (in response to questioning) [03:31]

5. Kamala Harris Memoir and Book Tour (03:32-04:42)

• Context: Kamala Harris begins a book tour promoting “107 Days,” recounting her 2024 presidential campaign after Joe Biden’s withdrawal.
• Key Insights:
  • Harris candidly discusses chaos and frustrations from the campaign.
  • Recounts a pivotal conversation with Biden questioning her loyalty.
  • Reveals her original vice presidential pick was Pete Buttigieg but feared the nation wasn’t ready for a “black woman president, a Jewish first gentleman and a gay vice president” ticket.
  • Book tour includes national and international stops.

Notable Quote:

“She also writes about her own running mate selection process, revealing that her first choice was actually former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, but she didn't think America would support a ticket with a black woman president, a Jewish first gentleman and a gay vice president.”
— Deepa Shivaram, NPR Reporter [04:02]

6. US Stock Market Update (04:42-04:58)

• Brief Update:
  • Dow down over 100 points to 46,262.
  • NASDAQ down over 200 points.
  • S&P lost 38 points.

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “Probably.” — Ryan Routh [03:31] (A strikingly terse and ambiguous self-defense in a high-stakes trial.)
• Trump’s combative rhetoric doubling as self-promotion, underscoring the UN address.
• Kamala Harris’s revealing reflection on campaign dynamics and ticket strategy.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:18-01:24 — Jimmy Kimmel pulled from major affiliates
• 01:24-02:04 — Trump’s UN address and agenda
• 02:04-03:13 — US-China talks and Boeing deal
• 03:13-03:32 — Assassination attempt trial update
• 03:32-04:42 — Kamala Harris memoir and tour
• 04:42-04:58 — Stock market update

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This summary highlights the episode's major stories, political drama, media developments, and global diplomacy, making it an essential five-minute digest for listeners following US and international news.

Transcript

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[NPR Host Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. Although Jimmy Kimmel's late night show was recently reinstated by its broadcaster ABC, it will not air on stations owned by either Sinclair Broadcast Group or Nexstar Media Group. NPR's Neta Ulaby reports. That is more than 20% of ABC affiliates nationwide.

[NPR Reporter Neta Ulaby]

Nexstar and Sinclair both operate local TV stations around the country, including dozens of ABC affiliates. Both companies pulled the show Jimmy Kimmel Live from their local stations last week under pressure from FCC Chair Brendan Carr. Nexstar needs FTC approval right now to finalize a merger that would make it the largest owner of local stations in the country. In a statement, the company said it needed assurance that Jimmy Kimmel Live will foster what it called respectful, constructive dialogue. It said in the meantime, fans can watch the show on many Disney owned streaming services. Sinclair Broadcast Group said yesterday its ABC stations around the country will continue to preempt Kimmel, too, and said discussions with ABC are ongoing.

[NPR Host Lakshmi Singh]

Neta Ulaby, NPR News President Trump accuses the United nations of failing to live up to its potential. He railed against the international body in a speech at the 80th UN General assembly in New York today. Trump criticized European allies over immigration, their support for a Palestinian state and their advocacy for clean energy. Trump said climate change mitigation efforts are a con job.

[Donald Trump]

If you don't get away from this green scam, your country is going to fail. And I'm really good at predicting things. You know, they actually said during the campaign they had a hat, the best selling hat. Trump was right about everything. And I don't say that in a braggadocious way, but it's true.

[NPR Host Lakshmi Singh]

The White House says Trump was due to meet with the leaders of Ukraine, the European Union and Argentina, whose struggling economy Washington has pledged to support. Trump has endorsed libertarian President Javier Milei for reelection. US Lawmakers visiting China push for more engagement as well as the sale of Boeing airplanes. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports. Due to political tensions, it's the first bipartisan delegation from the House of Representatives to Visit China since 2019.

[NPR Reporter Anthony Kuhn]

Representative Adam Smith said more dialogue is needed because right now the two countries are essentially talking past each other. Smith said U.S. and Chinese military planes and ships are coming too close to each other and their militaries need to step up their dialogue. The delegation met with China's number two official premier Li Qiang and Defense Minister Dong Jun. Boeing's sales to China have tanked amid the tensions, but US Ambassador to Beijing David Perdue said negotiations for a major deal are in their final stages. President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are expected to meet next month on the sidelines of a regional summit in Gyeongju, South Korea. Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul.

[NPR Host Lakshmi Singh]

From Washington, this is NPR News. A jury is now deliberating whether to convict or acquit the man accused of plotting to assassinate President Trump at his Florida golf club last year. Closing arguments ended today in Ryan Routh's trial.

[Ryan Routh (Defendant)]

Probably.

[NPR Host Lakshmi Singh]

Prosecutors argue Ruth planned the attack on Trump for months. Ruth, who is representing himself at trial, argued that prosecutors failed to prove intent to kill. Ruth spoke about himself in the third person. Former Vice President Kamala Harris kicks off her nationwide book tour tomorrow in New York. NPR's Deepa Shivaram reports. The book 107 Days chronicles Harris's run for the White House last year after President Biden dropped out of the race.

[NPR Reporter Deepa Shivaram]

The memoir is written candidly as Harris recalls chaotic and frustrating moments from the campaign, including a call with Biden right before Harris was headed out to the debate stage, where she says the president spoke at length about himself and questioned her loyalty. She also writes about her own running mate selection process, revealing that her first choice was actually former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, but she didn't think America would support a ticket with a black woman president, a Jewish first gentleman and a gay vice president. Harris book tour is scheduled through November and also includes international stops in London and Toronto. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News.

[NPR Host Lakshmi Singh]

U.S. stocks are trading lower this hour. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is now down more than 100 points at 46,262. The NASDAQ has fallen more than 200 points, and the S&P has lost 38 points. It's NPR.

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