Up First – December 3, 2025

Podcast: NPR’s Up First
Episode: Russia Rejects Peace Proposal, Hegseth Defends Boat Strikes, Tennessee House Election
Date: December 3, 2025
Host(s): Steve Inskeep, A Martinez

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR’s Up First dives into three major stories shaping U.S. and global headlines:

1. The collapse of U.S.-Russian peace efforts in Ukraine, with the Kremlin rejecting a Western-backed proposal.
2. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defending controversial follow-up strikes on a drug boat in the Caribbean, as Congress launches an investigation.
3. Analysis of a Tennessee House special election, where both Republicans and Democrats claim victory after Republicans win by a narrower margin than usual.

1. Russia Rejects Peace Proposal on Ukraine

Key Points & Reporting

• U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner (Trump’s son-in-law) attended high-level talks in Moscow regarding a Ukrainian peace proposal.
  • Meeting lasted about five hours, started late, with no concrete progress.
• The U.S. and Russia worked from a draft proposal amended by Europeans and Ukrainians—one already rejected by Europe for favoring Moscow.
• Putin accused the Europeans of deliberately sabotaging peace, claiming amendments made Russian agreement impossible.
  • Putin issued veiled threats toward Europe, saying Russia didn’t want war but was “ready if Europe brought it on.”
  • Zelensky, speaking from Ireland, affirmed Ukraine’s support for the amended proposal and called for sustained European pressure on Russia.

Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Putin’s warning to Europe:

  “He [Putin] said such a war wouldn’t be, quote, like the surgical one that Russia's conducting in Ukraine.” (Eleanor Beardsley, 05:02)

• Ukrainian analyst, Mykhailo Samuz (on negotiations):

  "No withdrawing forces from Donbas, no recognizing that the Russian occupying forces will be legal on Ukrainian territory. Of course not." (Eleanor Beardsley paraphrasing Samuz, 06:30)

• On Putin’s priorities:

  "In the month of October alone, 25,000 Russian soldiers died in Ukraine. That doesn't affect Putin. They hide it from the Russian public." (Eleanor Beardsley, 07:05)

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s take:

  “The conflict in Ukraine is not our war. And President Trump has a million other things to focus on.” (Eleanor Beardsley quoting Rubio, 07:17)

Timestamps:

• [03:45] – Setup of U.S.-Russian talks
• [04:14] – Details from Eleanor Beardsley in Kyiv
• [05:25] – President Zelensky speaks from Europe
• [06:00] – Ukrainian analysis on Russia's intentions

2. Hegseth Defends U.S. Boat Strikes; Congress Launches Probe

Key Points & Reporting

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced questions for approving initial strikes on an alleged drug trafficking boat in the Caribbean in September.
  • He confirmed giving the initial order but denied involvement or awareness of the subsequent strike that killed survivors.
  • Admiral Frank Bradley, head of U.S. Special Operations Command, took responsibility for the second strike.
• Hegseth’s narrative contrasts with his earlier denials and criticisms of media reporting.
• President Trump stated he knew the military “took out the boat” but wasn’t involved in or aware of details.
• Congressional leaders from both parties back investigations into whether U.S. law or international norms were violated.
  • Committees seek video/audio evidence, with potential hearings (public or classified) pending.
  • Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer demands public testimony and video release from Hegseth.

Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Hegseth’s defense of Admiral Bradley:

  “And by the way, Admiral Bradley made the correct decision to ultimately sink the boat and eliminate the threat.” (Pete Hegseth, 08:42)

• On changing stories:

  “Hegseth's comments yesterday are different from his initial response when the Washington Post first reported on these strikes and he criticized their reporting. Now he's acknowledging there was this second strike.” (Deirdre Walsh, 08:48)

• On Congressional concerns:

  “Questions on the Hill really center around whether the second strike broke U.S. law or would be considered a war crime if the administration's claim to be at war with narco traffickers is accepted.” (Deirdre Walsh, 09:33)

• Sen. John Thune’s careful support:

  “Well, I think that the fundamental question is, is the country safer than it was under the Biden administration? I think the answer to that is unequivocally yes.” (John Thune, 10:03)
  “But he also added that Hegseth, quote, serves at the pleasure of the president. Not exactly an endorsement.” (Deirdre Walsh, 10:18)

Timestamps:

• [07:40] – Introduction to the boat strikes
• [07:55] – Hegseth describes his involvement
• [08:21] – Congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh’s summary & analysis
• [09:13] – Top Republicans and next steps
• [10:28] – Oversight plans and Democratic demands

3. Tennessee House Election: GOP Holds Seat as Dems Narrow Margin

Key Points & Reporting

• Republican Matt Van Epps won a special House election in Tennessee’s 7th congressional district.
  • Trump previously took the district by 22 points (2024); Van Epps wins by only 9 points.
• Both parties claim the outcome as a victory:
  • For Republicans: Retaining the seat and energizing the base despite Trump’s absence from the ballot.
  • For Democrats: A significant swing (+13% improvement over 2024 margins) hints at energized turnout and possible realignment for 2026.
• Both parties spent millions, signaling the race’s importance as a bellwether for upcoming midterms.
• Campaign messaging from both sides focused on affordability and economic issues, with little mention of Trump—suggesting both parties are recalibrating.
• Evidence of Democrats reversing turnout drop-offs, especially among young and nonwhite voters, as seen in other 2025 specials.

Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Van Epps on Trump:

  "Running from Trump is how you lose. Running with Trump is how you win." (Stephen Fowler, relaying Van Epps’ remarks, 12:43)

  • Despite this, Van Epps rarely invoked Trump in his actual campaign.
• On campaign messaging:

  "If you're wondering which one was a Republican and which was a Democrat, you're not alone. It was pretty hard to tell them apart on this issue, which was also notable for the candidate's lack of talking about Trump." (Stephen Fowler, 13:28)

• On political trends:

  “Looking at the election results, the drop-off in turnout in deep blue areas that we saw last year is nowhere to be found. And the rightward leap of young voters and non white voters has snapped back towards Democrats.” (Stephen Fowler, 14:40)

Timestamps:

• [11:17] – Introduction to the election results
• [11:46] – Stephen Fowler on campaign and turnout dynamics
• [12:43] – Both sides claim victory and analysis of messaging
• [14:21] – Implications for 2026 midterms

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Putin’s Threat:

  “…such a war wouldn’t be, quote, like the surgical one that Russia's conducting in Ukraine.”
  —Eleanor Beardsley, [05:02]

• Ukrainian Analyst on Peace:

  "No withdrawing forces from Donbas, no recognizing that the Russian occupying forces will be legal on Ukrainian territory. Of course not." —Mykhailo Samuz (via Eleanor Beardsley), [06:30]

• Hegseth on Boat Strikes:

  “And by the way, Admiral Bradley made the correct decision to ultimately sink the boat and eliminate the threat.”
  —Pete Hegseth, [08:42]

• Matt Van Epps, on Trump:

  “Running from Trump is how you lose. Running with Trump is how you win.”
  —Stephen Fowler quoting Van Epps, [12:43]

Key Takeaways

• Diplomatic Impasse: Attempts at brokering peace in Ukraine are stalled, with Russia publicly dismissive, the U.S. sidelined, Europe divided, and Ukraine pessimistic about Putin’s intentions.
• Domestic Scrutiny: The Trump administration faces bipartisanship pressure over military conduct in the Caribbean, with Defense leadership on the defensive and lawmakers seeking transparency.
• Political Signals: The Tennessee special election suggests a more competitive landscape for Democrats in 2026, with voter turnout trends and economic messaging overshadowing the Trump factor—at least, for now.

For listeners seeking quick, clear context on today’s news:

• The global effort to end the Ukraine war is faltering.
• U.S. military actions abroad are under the microscope.
• The political battleground at home is shifting, as parties recalibrate for a new campaign cycle.