NPR News: 12-18-2025 9PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton
Date: December 19, 2025

Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode covers significant domestic and international stories, including the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations, diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and South Africa, proposed healthcare policy changes, an update on the Kennedy Center, a Missouri–China lawsuit, Oklahoma’s social studies standards controversy, and the rehabilitation of sea turtles in Florida. The reporting is factual and urgent, in keeping with NPR’s news-in-brief format.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sale of TikTok’s U.S. Operations

[00:14–01:14]

• Reporter: Bobby Allen
• TikTok’s U.S. business has been sold to a group of investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake, and UAE-backed mgc.
• ByteDance (the previous owner) will retain a minority stake, and U.S. users aren't expected to see major changes.
• Main U.S. concern: China’s potential influence via TikTok’s algorithm, which remains under ByteDance ownership but now subject to audits by the American-led entity.
• Quote:
  • "China hawks in Washington have been worried about Beijing using TikTok to influence the political views of the 170 million Americans on the app." — Bobby Allen [01:02]

2. U.S.–South Africa Diplomatic Rift

[01:14–02:15]

• Reporter: Michelle Kellerman
• The U.S. accuses South Africa of doxing an employee helping white South Africans apply for U.S. asylum—a claim South Africa calls unsubstantiated.
• President Trump’s administration halted most refugee admissions but developed a special program for white South Africans, claiming they face racial persecution (a charge South Africa denies).
• Two U.S. officials were detained, with one’s passport posted online. South Africa denies official involvement.
• South Africa deported seven Kenyans working without permits for the U.S. office.
• Quote:
  • "A South African government spokesman says his country treats data breaches seriously and rejected any suggestion that the government was involved." — Michelle Kellerman [01:55]

3. Proposed Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

[02:15–02:33]

• Speaker: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Health Secretary
• Kennedy, Jr. proposes new federal rules effectively banning gender-affirming care for those under 18.
• The proposed restrictions include cutting off Medicaid and Medicare funding to providers for minors’ care.
• Contradicted by major medical group recommendations; expected to face legal challenges.
• Quote:
  • "So called gender affirming care has inflicted lasting physical and psychological damage on vulnerable young people. This is not medicine. It is malpractice." — Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. [02:21]

4. Renaming of the Kennedy Center

[02:33–03:00]

• The board, handpicked by President Trump, votes to rename the Kennedy Center as the Trump Kennedy Center, in recognition of Trump’s involvement in saving the venue.
• Press Secretary Caroline Levitt notes the board’s reasoning; Trump, who chairs the board, has referred to it by this name previously.

5. Missouri–China Litigation over COVID-19

[03:00–03:53]

• Missouri’s attorney general seeks federal help to collect on a $25 billion judgment against China over COVID-19 PPE hoarding allegations.
• In response, China sues Missouri in the Intermediate People's Court of Wuhan, demanding a public apology.

6. Oklahoma Social Studies Standards Controversy

[03:53–04:32]

• Reporter: Beth Wallace
• Oklahoma’s Supreme Court blocks new social studies standards that incorporated 2020 election denialism, ruling they were improperly approved in violation of the Open Meeting Act.
• Former State Superintendent Ryan Walters, who championed the standards, responds critically, framing the decision as political.
• Quote:
  • "This is outrageous to see this kind of left wing judicial activism in the state where every county voted for President Trump." — Ryan Walters [04:17]

7. Florida Sea Turtle Rehabilitation

[04:32–04:53]

• 24 sea turtles are being nursed back to health in Florida after being stranded off Cape Cod with frostbite and pneumonia due to "cold stunning."
• They are expected to recover fully and be returned to the wild in spring.

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• "Backers don't expect American users of TikTok to notice any major changes." — Bobby Allen [00:55]
• "China hawks in Washington have been worried about Beijing using TikTok to influence the political views of the 170 million Americans on the app." — Bobby Allen [01:02]
• "This is not medicine. It is malpractice." — Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. [02:28]
• "This is outrageous to see this kind of left wing judicial activism in the state where every county voted for President Trump." — Ryan Walters [04:17]

Notable Moments & Segment Timestamps

• TikTok sale details announced: [00:14–01:14]
• U.S.–South Africa diplomatic incident: [01:14–02:15]
• Federal ban proposed on gender-affirming care for minors: [02:15–02:33]
• Kennedy Center renamed to Trump Kennedy Center: [02:33–03:00]
• Missouri–China legal friction over COVID-19: [03:00–03:53]
• Oklahoma blocks election-denial social studies standards: [03:53–04:32]
• Sea turtles rehabilitation story: [04:32–04:53]

Tone and Style

• Direct, urgent, and matter-of-fact, consistent with NPR’s journalistic style.
• Statements from officials and affected parties are presented with minimal editorializing, emphasizing factual reporting and balanced coverage.