NPR News Now: The Latest News in Five Minutes

Episode: 11-17-2025 4PM EST
Host: Lakshmi Singh
Date: November 17, 2025
Theme: Up-to-the-minute reporting on U.S. politics, economic news, Supreme Court decisions, and food security.

Main Theme

This concise episode delivers top U.S. news highlights: political maneuvering around the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, changes at FEMA, speculation about an AI financial bubble, Supreme Court immigration cases, and food security concerns amid economic strain.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeffrey Epstein Files and Political Debate

[00:25 - 01:37]

• GOP House Votes on DOJ Files:
  • The Republican-led House is preparing to vote on a resolution demanding the Department of Justice release all files related to Jeffrey Epstein's investigation.
  • President Trump, after previous resistance, now supports the vote:

    “We've done a great job, and I hate to see that deflect from the great job we've done. So I'm all for it. You know, we've already given 50,000 pages.” — President Trump [00:49]

• Survivor Skepticism:
  • Annie Farmer, a survivor and witness in the Epstein case, reacts:

    “I think there's a healthy amount of skepticism amongst those of us who have been involved in this fight for a long time. … There have been so many efforts to ... politicize this and obfuscate the truth that I ... hope that ... everyone's on the same page that this would be the best thing for the American people. But, you know, I think that remains to be seen.” — Annie Farmer [01:11]

  • Farmer underscores doubts about true bipartisan transparency.
• Presidential Denial:
  • Trump reiterates he “never had any knowledge of Epstein's crimes.” [01:37]

2. FEMA Leadership Turmoil and Agency Reforms

[01:37 - 02:25]

• Resignation of FEMA Head:
  • David Richardson resigns after six months, becoming the second FEMA administrator to leave under Trump.
  • FEMA was under scrutiny, especially after deadly Texas floods, for Richardson's lack of availability.
• Agency Uncertainty:
  • Richardson’s departure comes amid Trump's broader vision to eliminate FEMA in its current form (shifting disaster preparedness to states).
  • A FEMA review council is preparing recommendations for agency restructuring.
  • From Lauren Sommer:

    “Richardson was criticized by lawmakers after the deadly floods in Texas this summer for not being more available as a disaster unfolded.” [01:51]

3. AI Market Fears & Major Sell-Offs

[02:25 - 03:18]

• Peter Thiel’s Hedge Fund Sells Nvidia Stake:
  • Thiel’s fund offloads $100 million in Nvidia shares, following similar moves by other major investors (e.g., Softbank).
  • This triggers accelerated talk of an AI bubble.
  • Michael Burry (of “The Big Short” fame) is now betting against Nvidia, adding to anxieties.

    “Sometimes we see bubbles.” — Michael Burry, quoted by Bobby Allen [02:40]

  • Wall Street is increasingly nervous about ballooning investments and uncertain future returns for AI infrastructure providers.
• Market Impact:
  • The Dow closed down 557 points, underlining broader market volatility. [03:18]

4. Supreme Court to Hear Border & Asylum Policy

[03:18 - 03:40]

• Review of 'Metering' Policy:
  • The Supreme Court will review a now-rescinded Trump-era policy that allowed Border Patrol to cap asylum-seeker entries at official crossings.
  • The Trump administration is challenging lower court rulings that struck down the policy.
  • The case is slated for early spring consideration.

5. FAA Lifts Shutdown Restrictions / Rising Food Insecurity

[03:40 - 04:45]

• Aviation Restoration:
  • After government shutdown-induced safety restrictions, the FAA is allowing the nation’s 40 busiest airports to resume standard operations.
• Growing Reliance on Food Banks and Harvest Gleaning:
  • Even as federal food assistance returns, food banks face spiking demand.
  • Local organizations and volunteers, such as Rachel's Table, are gleaning surplus crops to deliver to food pantries.
  • Volunteer Jean Gordon reflects:

    “You know, with everybody like tight up on food, I was like, I can take stuff. I know people.” — Jean Gordon, delivered by Lakshmi Singh [04:40]

  • Pantries express anxiety about meeting distribution needs in the coming weeks.

    “Other organizations that glean farm fields say they've heard a lot of anxiety from food pantries about having enough items to distribute over the last few weeks and whether they'll have enough going forward.” — Rachel Martin [04:45]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• President Trump:

  “We've done a great job, and I hate to see that deflect from the great job we've done. So I'm all for it. You know, we've already given 50,000 pages.” [00:49]

• Annie Farmer:

  “There have been so many efforts to ... politicize this and obfuscate the truth that I ... hope that ... everyone's on the same page... But ... that remains to be seen.” [01:11]

• Michael Burry, via Bobby Allen:

  “Sometimes we see bubbles.” [02:40]

• Jean Gordon (on food insecurity):

  “You know, with everybody like tight up on food, I was like, I can take stuff. I know people.” [04:40]

Important Timestamps

• 00:25 — Headlines with Lakshmi Singh, Jeffrey Epstein files debate
• 00:49 — President Trump’s response to the House vote
• 01:11 — Annie Farmer’s interview
• 01:51 — FEMA head David Richardson’s resignation, Lauren Sommer reporting
• 02:40 — Peter Thiel’s hedge fund sale, Michael Burry’s warning, Bobby Allen reporting
• 03:18 — Dow’s close and financial update
• 03:18 — Supreme Court to hear immigration 'metering' case
• 03:40 — FAA updates on airport operation post-shutdown
• 04:14 — Food security efforts in New England, report by Jill Kaufman
• 04:40 — Jean Gordon’s comments on volunteer gleaning

Tone and Language

• Direct, clear, and measured: Factual reporting, with occasional personal/emotional insights during interviews.

This summary covers all substantive news and analysis provided in the episode, skipping promotional, ad, intro, and outro sections.