NPR News Now: November 22, 2025, 8AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston (NPR)
Episode Theme:
A brisk, five-minute update on national and global headlines, including major political developments in the U.S., international diplomacy at the G20, health insurance cost drivers, and Thanksgiving travel forecasts.

Key News Segments and Insights

1. Marjorie Taylor Greene Announces Resignation from Congress

[00:14 – 01:22]

• Announcement: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) will leave Congress on January 5, marking a dramatic turn in her controversial career.
• Context:
  • Her departure follows prolonged clashes with party leaders and allies.
  • The move reportedly surprised even close Republican insiders.
• Reactions:
  • Donald Trump: Uninformed prior to public announcement, Trump nevertheless commented positively:

    "I think Greene's departure from Congress is, quote, great." (Trump, 00:45)

  • Legacy: Greene, once a staunch Trump supporter, later split by leading efforts to release the “Epstein files,” material contrary to Trump's preferences.
• Resignation Statement:
  • In her video message, Greene predicted electoral troubles for Republicans and distanced herself from conspiracy theories that shaped her reputation:

    "Now there is no plan to save the world or a 4D chess game being played." (Greene, 01:10)

  • She remained vague about her future, only noting she's “looking forward to a new path.”

2. President Trump Meets NYC Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani

[01:22 – 02:08]

• Event:
  • President Trump met with recently-elected NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani after a contentious campaign filled with public sparring.
• Tone Shift:
  • Both expressed optimism for collaboration, despite prior political hostility.
• Trump’s Perspective:

  "I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually, and some very liberal people. He won’t surprise them because they already like him." (Trump, 01:39)

• Mamdani’s Focus:
  • Highlighted shared priorities with Trump, notably economic issues:

    "When we spoke to those voters who voted for President Trump, we heard them speak about cost of living. We, we focus on that same cost of living. And that's where I am really looking forward to delivering for New Yorkers in partnership with the president on the affordability agenda." (Mamdani, 01:55)

• Transition:
  • Mamdani is set to assume office in January.

3. G20 Summit Opens in Johannesburg Amid U.S. Boycott

[02:08 – 03:14]

• Backdrop:
  • The G20 holds its first-ever summit on African soil; the U.S. is boycotting after (falsely) accusing South Africa of persecuting its white minority.
• Host Nation’s Challenge:
  • The controversy surrounding the boycott overshadowed key agenda items—debt relief for poorer nations and climate change financing.
• Progress Achieved:
  • Despite tensions, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced:

    "The adoption of the declaration from the summit sends an important signal to the world that multilateralism can and does deliver." (Ramaphosa, 02:54)

• Looking Ahead:
  • Summit concludes Sunday; U.S. assumes rotating G20 presidency thereafter.

4. Why U.S. Health Insurance Costs are Rising in 2026

[03:14 – 04:14]

• Scope:
  • Both marketplace and employer-provided health insurance premiums are increasing.
• Myth-Busting:
  • Cynthia Cox (KFF) refutes common belief that insurer profits drive cost increases, attributing higher prices to provider charges:

    “A hospital visit in the United States costs more. A doctor's visit costs more. The same prescription drug costs more, she says.” (Cox, 03:52)

• U.S. vs. Other Countries:
  • Americans don’t use more care—they have “slightly fewer doctor’s visits and slightly shorter hospital stays” (04:01), but pay more for each service.
• Conclusion:
  • Elevated prices, not utilization, explain the U.S.’s uniquely high healthcare costs.

5. Record Thanksgiving Travel Predicted

[04:14 – 04:57]

• AAA Forecast:
  • 82 million Americans expected to travel 50+ miles, the busiest Thanksgiving travel period ever.
  • 73 million will drive, an increase due to recent flight disruptions.
• Safety Guidance:
  • Heaviest traffic anticipated Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons; best to travel in the mornings.
  • Gas prices remain stable compared to last year.

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• Trump on Greene’s Resignation:

  "I think Greene's departure from Congress is, quote, great." ([00:45])

• Greene on Conspiracy Thinking:

  "Now there is no plan to save the world or a 4D chess game being played." ([01:10])

• Trump on Mamdani:

  "I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually..." ([01:39])

• Mamdani on Shared Concerns:

  "...That's where I am really looking forward to delivering for New Yorkers in partnership with the president on the affordability agenda." ([01:55])

• President Ramaphosa on G20 Declaration:

  "The adoption of the declaration from the summit sends an important signal to the world that multilateralism can and does deliver." ([02:54])

• Cynthia Cox on Healthcare Costs:

  “A hospital visit in the United States costs more. A doctor's visit costs more. The same prescription drug costs more, she says.” ([03:52])

Episode Timeline (w/ Timestamps)

• 00:14 – 01:22: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene resigns and reflects on her career.
• 01:22 – 02:08: President Trump and Mayor-elect Mamdani signal cooperation on NYC issues.
• 02:08 – 03:14: G20 Summit opens in Johannesburg; US boycotts, but declaration reached.
• 03:14 – 04:14: Health insurance costs explained—provider prices are the culprit.
• 04:14 – 04:57: AAA forecasts record-breaking Thanksgiving travel.

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a concise, comprehensive recap of the hour’s top stories.