NPR News Now – December 18, 2025, 2AM EST

Host: Shea Stevens (NPR News Anchor)
Episode Theme:
A concise update on top U.S. and world news, focusing on the latest in politics (President Trump’s address, Jack Smith’s congressional testimony), economic struggles, a high-profile Los Angeles criminal case, new defense spending, and ongoing violence in Sudan.

1. President Trump’s Primetime Address: Blame on Inflation and Cost of Living

[00:18 – 00:58]

• President Trump delivered a primetime address, blaming the previous Democratic administration for high inflation and living costs.
• Emphasized the need for affordability, claiming his administration is “fixing problems” it inherited.
• Announced plans to negotiate with insurance companies to reduce health care costs, as upcoming expiration of subsidies threatens to spike premiums.
• Quote:

  “When I took office, inflation was the worst in 48 years and some would say in the history of our country… making life unaffordable for millions and millions of Americans. This happened during a Democrat administration, and it’s when we first began hearing the word affordability.”
  — President Donald Trump [00:35–00:57]

2. Americans’ Economic Struggles: New Poll Data

[00:58 – 01:58]

• NPR/PBS News Marist Poll: Widespread, worsening financial pressure across the U.S.
  • 70% say where they live is now unaffordable for average families (up 25 points since summer).
  • Top personal concerns: Prices (45%), Housing (18%), then tariffs.
  • 60% say the economy isn't working for them; significant race, age, income, and gender divides.
    • 75% of Black respondents, two-thirds of Latinos, and 56% of white respondents report the economy “isn’t working” for them.
• Quote:

  “70% of people say the areas they live in are no longer affordable for average families… Three quarters of those who are black and 2/3 of Latinos say the economy isn't working for them, compared to 56% of white respondents who say the same thing.”
  — Domenico Montanaro, NPR [01:24–01:57]

3. Jack Smith Defends Trump Investigations Behind Closed Doors

[01:58 – 02:57]

• Former special counsel Jack Smith testified in a closed-door House Judiciary Committee meeting.
• Committee's focus:
  • 2020 election probe (Trump’s efforts to overturn results)
  • Allegations of Trump’s obstruction/mishandling of classified documents (Mar-a-Lago case)
• Smith requested public testimony but was refused.
• Limited disclosure due to grand jury secrecy laws.
• Smith aimed to correct “mischaracterizations” about his work.
• Part of ongoing GOP-led examination of federal investigations into Trump during the Biden era.
• Quote:

  “Smith had offered to testify publicly, but the committee rejected that idea. Now in his closed door testimony, Smith is expected to try to correct what he views as mischaracterizations about his work as special counsel.”
  — Ryan Lucas, NPR [02:19–02:35]

4. High Profile Murder Case: Nick Reiner in Court

[02:57 – 03:20]

• Nick Reiner (32) appeared in court on murder charges for the deaths of his parents, Rob and Michelle Reiner, in their Los Angeles home.
• He is being held without bail; arraignment set for January 7th.

5. Congress Passes $900 Billion Defense Package

[03:20 – 03:55]

• Approval of a massive defense bill includes:
  • Funding for new weapons and troop salary increases
  • Trump security priorities: emergency border powers, eliminating DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) initiatives, military strike location secrecy
• Pushback against calls for greater transparency about deadly U.S. military strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and East Pacific.

6. Sudan Conflict: Attacks on Health Care Facilities

[03:55 – 04:45]

• WHO Statement: 65 attacks on health facilities in Sudan documented this year.
• Over 1,600 killed, thousands wounded; recent attack in Dalange, South Kordofan.
• Ongoing fighting between Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces, with severe impact on health system.
• Quote:

  “Fighting between the paramilitary group the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, and the Sudanese armed forces has been going on for more than two years now… the conflict in Sudan has devastated the country's health system, leaving millions of people without access to essential medical care.”
  — Michael Kaloki, NPR [04:19–04:41]

7. Markets Update

[04:45 – 04:56]

• U.S. futures are flat in after-hours trading.
• Asia-Pacific shares mixed: lower in Tokyo and Shanghai.

Memorable Quotes

• President Trump: “Making life unaffordable for millions and millions of Americans… this happened during a Democrat administration.” [00:35–00:57]
• Domenico Montanaro: “Three quarters of those who are black and 2/3 of Latinos say the economy isn't working for them, compared to 56% of white respondents.” [01:45–01:57]
• Ryan Lucas: “Smith is expected to try to correct what he views as mischaracterizations about his work as special counsel.” [02:28–02:35]
• Michael Kaloki: “The conflict in Sudan has devastated the country's health system, leaving millions of people without access to essential medical care.” [04:37–04:41]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:18] President Trump Address & Economic Policy
• [01:24] NPR/PBS News Marist Poll: Economic Hardship
• [01:58] Jack Smith Testimony on Trump Investigations
• [02:57] Nick Reiner Murder Case
• [03:20] Congressional Defense Spending Bill
• [04:05] Sudan Health Care Crisis
• [04:45] US and Asia Market Updates

Tone:
Objective, concise, and informative—typical of NPR's news style. The podcast provides a rapid, fact-focused update on pressing headlines, interspersed with direct quotes for context and emphasis.