NPR News Now – Episode Summary

Date: December 18, 2025
Time: 4PM EST
Host: Jeanine Herbst

Overview

This five-minute episode covers major breaking news and policy shifts in the US, with a focus on evolving federal stances on marijuana and gender-affirming care, economic updates, corporate mergers in the energy and tech sectors, and other significant headlines as of December 18, 2025.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Marijuana Reclassification (00:20)

• President Trump signed an executive order to expedite the reclassification of marijuana from a Schedule 1 to Schedule 3 substance.
  • Implications:
    • Allows the FDA to formally study medical uses for marijuana.
    • Does not legalize cannabis nationwide.
    • Aimed primarily at providing options for those with chronic pain, not for recreational users.
• Quote:
  • "Trump says his order is for those in chronic pain, not for recreational use." (00:40)

2. Federal Actions on Gender Affirming Care (01:03)

• Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. unveiled steps to effectively ban gender-affirming care for youth.
  • Main Actions:
    • New proposed rules from the CMS (led by Dr. Mehmet Oz):
      • Medicaid cannot reimburse for gender-affirming care for youth.
      • Drastic measure: Hospitals providing such care risk losing all Medicare and Medicaid funding.
    • Hospitals depend heavily on federal funding; could result in widespread shutdowns of this care.
  • Process:
    • 60-day public comment period before rules could take effect.
    • Expected to face legal challenges.
• Quote:
  • "One rule says doctors and hospitals cannot get reimbursed by Medicaid for gender affirming care for youth. The other is more sweeping... could shut down gender affirming care for youth at hospitals if finalized." – Selena Simmons Duffin (01:10–01:25)

3. Plane Crash in North Carolina (01:44)

• Fatal Crash:
  • Cessna C550 crashed at Statesville Regional Airport, ~45 miles north of Charlotte.
  • First responders observed at the burning wreckage.
  • Airport is significant for corporate aviation, and used by Fortune 500 and NASCAR teams.

4. Truth Social Merges with Fusion Power Company (02:10)

• Major $6 Billion Merger:
  • Trump’s social media company, Truth Social, merges with a fusion energy firm.
  • Marks a pivot from social media/crypto to nuclear fusion.
• Business Impact:
  • Truth Social’s parent saw its stock drop nearly 70% in the past year.
  • Aims to build what could be the world’s first utility-scale fusion power plant.
  • Reflects tech sector interest in nuclear (notably OpenAI’s Sam Altman).
• Quote:
  • "Trump's social media and crypto company will now become one of the first ever publicly traded fusion firms to Trump Media, the parent company of Truth Social, has seen its stock drop nearly 70% this year." – Bobby Allen (02:23)

5. Inflation Cools in November (03:07)

• Labor Department Update:
  • Inflation slowed to a year-over-year increase of 2.7% in November.

6. John F. Kennedy Center Renaming (03:20)

• JFK Center board (Trump-appointed) unanimously votes to rename it the Trump Kennedy Center.
• White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt announced the decision on social media.

7. Trump Ballroom Construction Legal Update (03:33)

• Federal Judge Ruling:
  • Work on Trump's large ballroom project allowed to proceed for now.
  • Judge cites government’s pledge to consult commissions by end of month.
  • Construction’s major phases (footings/concrete) not set until February.
• Cost Update:
  • Trump describes the ballroom as a $400 million project, up from $200 million announced in July.
• Quote:
  • "Nothing about the ballroom has been finalized, including its size and scale. Trump recently described it as a $400 million project, double the sum first announced in July." – Tamara Keith (03:53)

8. Powerball Drawing Rolls Over (04:36)

• No winning ticket in the latest Powerball draw.
• Jackpot rises to $1.5 billion (cash value: $686M), now the 7th largest in US history.

Notable Quotes Recap

• On marijuana reclassification:

  • "Trump says his order is for those in chronic pain, not for recreational use." (00:40)

• On new rules for gender-affirming care:

  • "The other is more sweeping. It says hospitals that provide the care would be cut off from all Medicare or Medicaid funding for everything..." – Selena Simmons Duffin (01:10–01:25)

• On the Trump media/fusion merger:

  • "...now become one of the first ever publicly traded fusion firms..." – Bobby Allen (02:23)

• On the Trump ballroom project:

  • "Nothing about the ballroom has been finalized, including its size and scale..." – Tamara Keith (03:53)

Memorable Moments & Timestamps

• [00:20] – President Trump’s marijuana executive order announcement.
• [01:03] – Detailed breakdown of anti-gender-affirming care policy.
• [01:44] – North Carolina Cessna business jet crash.
• [02:10] – Truth Social’s $6B merger with fusion energy company.
• [03:07] – November inflation numbers released.
• [03:20] – JFK Center’s new name: the Trump Kennedy Center.
• [03:33] – Trump ballroom legal ruling update.
• [04:36] – Powerball jackpot climbs to $1.5B.

Summary

This NPR News Now segment offers a concise yet impactful overview of the day’s most significant developments: rapid policy movement on marijuana classification and gender-affirming care, corporate pivots toward nuclear fusion, rising inflation and lottery fever, and ongoing transformations of federal institutions and spaces linked to the Trump administration. The language remains objective and factual, providing fast insight into evolving U.S. policy, business, and cultural shifts.