NPR News Now – December 24, 2025, 12AM EST

Host: Dan Ronan
Duration: ~5 minutes
Main Theme:
A rapid-fire roundup of national and international news for late December 2025, focusing heavily on new releases regarding Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump, ongoing changes in the NIH under the new administration, U.S. sanctions over European tech regulations, Ben Sasse’s health update, and a major Supreme Court ruling on National Guard authority.

1. New Jeffrey Epstein Files Reveal More Trump Ties

[00:14 – 01:20]

• Headline: The Department of Justice (DOJ) released approximately 30,000 pages of files, flight logs, and letters tied to Jeffrey Epstein. These reveal more extensive connections between Epstein and President Trump than previously acknowledged.

• Analysis: NPR’s Sarah McCammon and colleagues are reviewing the documents; early findings suggest previously unreported closeness between Trump and Epstein.

• Trump’s Response: Hours before these files were published, Donald Trump spoke at Mar-a-Lago, distancing himself and warning about the damage to reputations from shared photos with Epstein.

  "A lot of people are very angry that pictures are being released of other people that really had nothing to do with Epstein, but they're in a picture with him because he was at a party and you ruined the reputation of somebody."
  — Donald Trump, [00:57]

• DOJ Clarification: The DOJ released a statement saying these files "contain untrue and sensationalist claims" about President Trump. Importantly, Trump "has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein." (Dan Ronan, [01:20])

2. NIH Funding: DEI & Political Concerns under Trump II

[01:20 – 02:19]

• NIH Changes: The NIH, now under Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is making "overdue changes" to research funding.

• Critical Perspective: Critics allege increased politicization of medical research grants since Trump’s return and Kennedy’s appointment.

• NIH Chief Responds: Dr. Bhattacharya insists there’s been no political interference in NIH’s scientific process.

  "Secretary Kennedy has not asked me to put my thumb on the scales of any scientific project. To say you must have the scientific project come out this way or that way. I think that would be a red line."
  — Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, [01:56]

• DEI Funding Cuts: Bhattacharya defends the termination of grants related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), saying such cuts align with new administration priorities.

3. U.S. Sanctions Former EU Official Over Tech Speech Rules

[02:19 – 03:10]

• Sanctions Imposed: The Trump administration sanctions Thierry Breton (former EU Commissioner) and others under new rules against those said to "suppress speech."

• Actions Targeted: Breton was involved in EU laws that fined Elon Musk’s platform X $140 million over issues with verification systems and researcher access.

• Quoted Response:

  "Is McCarthy's witch hunt back to our American friends? Censorship isn't where you think it is."
  — Thierry Breton (quoted by Bobby Allen), [02:56]

• Other Targets: Sanctions also cover figures from groups like the Center for Countering Digital Hate and the Global Disinformation Index.

4. Former Senator Ben Sasse Diagnosed with Terminal Cancer

[03:10 – 04:14]

• Announcement: Ben Sasse, former Republican senator from Nebraska and University of Florida president, reveals he has advanced, terminal pancreatic cancer.

• Political Context: Sasse was notably critical of Trump, voting to convict him after January 6 and leaving his Senate seat to lead the University of Florida.

• Personal Note: Sasse left the university presidency after his wife was diagnosed with epilepsy. He now acknowledges his own shortened lifespan.

  "This is hard for someone wired to work and build, but harder still as a husband and a dad."
  — Ben Sasse (quoted by Sam Gringlass), [03:56]

5. Supreme Court Blocks National Guard Troops in Chicago

[04:14 – 04:54]

• Major Decision: In a 6–3 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court blocks the Trump White House from sending National Guard troops to Chicago.
• Court's Reasoning: The order cited the lack of identified authority allowing the federal government to deploy the military to "execute the laws in Illinois."
• Justices Dissenting: Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch dissented.
• Political Reactions: The White House says enforcement of immigration laws will continue through other means. Illinois officials hail this as a victory.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• [00:57] Donald Trump: “A lot of people are very angry that pictures are being released of other people that really had nothing to do with Epstein ... you ruined the reputation of somebody.”
• [01:56] Dr. Jay Bhattacharya: “Secretary Kennedy has not asked me to put my thumb on the scales ... that would be a red line.”
• [02:56] Thierry Breton (via Bobby Allen): “Is McCarthy's witch hunt back to our American friends? Censorship isn't where you think it is.”
• [03:56] Ben Sasse: “This is hard for someone wired to work and build, but harder still as a husband and a dad.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Epstein Files & Trump Ties: [00:14 – 01:20]
• NIH, DEI, and Political Tensions: [01:20 – 02:19]
• EU Official Sanctioned – Tech & Speech: [02:19 – 03:10]
• Ben Sasse’s Health Update: [03:10 – 04:14]
• Supreme Court Chicago National Guard Ruling: [04:14 – 04:54]

Tone:
Direct, factual, with occasional poignant personal quotes (especially in the Sasse segment). The reporting remains neutral and succinct, in the signature NPR style.

Usefulness:
This summary gives you a precise overview and the arc of the 12AM NPR News Now, annotated with timestamps, direct speaker quotes, and context, ensuring you’re caught up with the latest crucial developments even without listening.