NPR News Now – 6PM EDT, September 23, 2025

Main Theme

This five-minute news update covers significant national and global developments, including President Donald Trump’s address to the United Nations, the Federal Reserve’s response to a slowing economy, controversy surrounding "Jimmy Kimmel Live," the conviction in an attempted presidential assassination, a major philanthropic announcement from the Gates Foundation, and the sentencing in a high-profile fraud case involving Elvis Presley's Graceland.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s Criticism of the United Nations

[00:18 – 01:20]

• President Trump delivered a critical speech at the UN General Assembly.
• He argued the organization is underperforming and mismanaged, using failing equipment as a metaphor for broader dysfunction:
  • “It has such tremendous, tremendous potential, but it's not even coming close to living up to that potential.” — President Trump [00:48]
• Trump’s most pointed criticism centered on migration, accusing the UN of supporting illegal migration into the US and blaming “political correctness” for undermining Western countries:
  • “The United Nations is funding an assault on Western countries and their borders.” — President Trump [00:58]
• He claimed the UN spends “hundreds of thousands of dollars” aiding illegal migration, sparking debate and highlighting US-UN tensions.

2. Federal Reserve Response to Economic Slowdown

[01:20 – 02:18]

• Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell announced that economic uncertainty and a weaker job market are leading companies to cut back on hiring.
• The lackluster job market prompted the Fed to cut its benchmark short-term interest rate for the first time in nine months.
  • “Uncertainty around the path of inflation remains high. We will carefully assess and manage the risk of higher and more persistent inflation. We'll make sure that this one-time increase in prices does not become an ongoing inflation problem.” — Jerome Powell [01:56]
• Tariffs have contributed to some price increases, with more expected should trade tensions continue.
• The Fed’s committee projects further rate cuts totaling a half percentage point by year’s end.

3. "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Broadcast Controversy

[02:18 – 03:14]

• "Jimmy Kimmel Live" is returning after a suspension due to the host's comments following the killing of Charlie Kirk.
• Over 60 ABC affiliates, especially those owned by Nexstar and Sinclair, will not broadcast the show, substituting other programming.
• The show’s suspension was prompted by complaints from these broadcasting groups.
• Notable reaction from a fan:
  • “It shows you what we can all do when we all unify on one accord immediately like this. This happened in less than a week.” — Samurai Barnett [03:00]
• Program sources anticipate Kimmel will deliver a conciliatory statement upon his return.

4. Assassination Attempt Conviction

[03:14 – 03:51]

• Ryan Ruth was found guilty of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at a Florida golf course in 2024.
• After the verdict, Ruth attempted to assault someone in court with a pen but was quickly subdued.
• The jury reached a verdict in about two hours; Ruth represented himself and faces a possible life sentence.
• Sentencing is scheduled for December.

5. Gates Foundation $1 Billion Health Commitment

[03:51 – 04:30]

• The Gates Foundation pledged nearly $1 billion to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
• The announcement, delivered by Bill Gates at a New York event, also aimed to set new global health and poverty eradication goals.
• Ongoing and past foreign aid cuts, particularly under the Trump administration, have led to clinic closures, layoffs, and disrupted access to lifesaving medication worldwide.
  • Gates warned: “Millions of children are at risk of dying if the funding drops too low.” [approx. 04:20]
• The Foundation urges governments to restore global health funding.

6. Graceland Fraud Sentencing

[04:30 – 04:56]

• Lisa Janine Finley sentenced to over four years in federal prison for attempting to defraud Elvis Presley's family by trying to auction Graceland.
• Finley falsely asserted Presley's daughter used Graceland as collateral for a $4 million loan.
• She pleaded guilty to mail fraud; identity theft charges were dropped through a plea agreement.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump on the UN:
  “It has such tremendous, tremendous potential, but it's not even coming close to living up to that potential.” [00:48]
  “The United Nations is funding an assault on Western countries and their borders.” [00:58]

• Jerome Powell on inflation:
  “Uncertainty around the path of inflation remains high. We will carefully assess and manage the risk of higher and more persistent inflation.” [01:56]

• Samurai Barnett (fan) on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" returning:
  “It shows you what we can all do when we all unify on one accord immediately like this. This happened in less than a week.” [03:00]

• Bill Gates (paraphrased through NPR):
  “Millions of children are at risk of dying if the funding drops too low.” [approx. 04:20]

Segment Timeline

• 00:18 – US President Trump criticizes the United Nations at the General Assembly
• 01:20 – Fed Chair Powell addresses economic uncertainty and rate cuts
• 02:18 – "Jimmy Kimmel Live" returns amid station boycotts
• 03:14 – Conviction in Trump assassination attempt
• 03:51 – Gates Foundation’s $1B global health pledge
• 04:30 – Sentencing in the Graceland fraud case

This episode delivers a brisk yet comprehensive snapshot of major events and policy developments, balancing political, economic, cultural, and philanthropic news.