NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-18-2025 12AM EST

Episode Date: December 18, 2025

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This message comes from Bayer. Science is a rigorous process that requires questions, testing, transparency, and results that can be proven. This approach is integral to every breakthrough Bayer brings forward. Innovations that save lives and feed the world. Science Delivers.com Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shay Stevens. In an 18-minute campaign-style speech Wednesday, President Trump defended his economically policies. Trump says the nation is strong and that inflation is down. He blamed Democrats for the

impending increases in health care insurance premiums once pandemic era subsidies expire in 13 days. And you see that now in the steep increase in premiums being demanded by the Democrats and they are demanding those increases and it's their fault. It is not the Republicans' fault. It's the Democrats' fault. It's the unaffordable care act and everybody knew it. Trump says the U.S. was dead a year ago, but he's turned things around, while polls are showing that most Americans are frustrated with the rising cost of living. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino says he plans to resign next month. Bongino made the announcement in a post on the social media platform X. NPR's Ryan Lucas has more.

In his message, Dan Bongino thanked President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Cash Patel for the opportunity to, quote, serve with purpose. Bonjino was an unusual pick for the number two job at the FBI. He had previously served as a secret service agent, but never at the Bureau. He made his name over the past decade as a pro-Trump far-right podcaster who pushed conspiracy theories, including some involving the FBI. His tenure at the Bureau was at times tumultuous, including a clash with Justice Department leadership over the administration's handling of the Epstein files. But it also involved the arrest of a suspect in the case of the January 6 pipe bomber, which, had gone unsolved for nearly five years. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

President Trump has had plaques installed beneath the White House porches of some past American presidents. As NPR's Tamara Keith reports, the messages on the plaques are unconventional. The plaques mounted along the presidential walk of fame are packed with insults, including lines like, quote, sleepy Joe Biden was by far the worst president in American history. And, quote, in 2016,

President Clinton's wife, Hillary, lost the presidency to Donald J. Trump. And the biofer former President Reagan asserts that he was a fan of President Trump long before his historic run for the White House. In a statement, White House press secretary Caroline Levitt says, quote, The plaques are eloquently written descriptions of each president and the legacy they left behind. As a student of history, many were written directly by President Trump himself. End quote. Tamara Keith, NPR News. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia are suing the Trump administration for the release of $2 billion they say was earmarked for electric vehicle charging programs.

The case is the latest legal battle over funding for EV infrastructure. This is NPR. The National Transportation Safety Board will soon issue a report on the mid-air crash near Reagan National Airport last January. In response to a civil lawsuit, government attorneys admit failures by an air traffic controller and an army helicopter pilot contributed to the crash that killed 67 people. The case was brought by the family of one of the victims against American Airlines, its regional partner, PSA Airlines, and the pilots involved.

The carriers have filed motions to have the case dismissed. The 32-year-old son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his photographer, Michelle is charged with murdering his parents. As NPR's Mendelie Del Barco reports, friends of the Reiner's are joining the outpouring of support for the family. The Reiner's close friends, including comedians Billy Crystal, Martin Short, and Larry David, issued a joint statement about Rob Reiner. Absorbing all he had learned from his father, Carl, and his mentor, Norman Lear, Rob Reiner not only was a great comic actor, he became a master storyteller, they wrote, noting his range as a director,

From comedy to drama to mockumentary to documentary, they wrote. He was always at the top of his game. Actress Meg Ryan co-starred in Reiner's film when Harry met Sally. She posted an emotional tribute on Instagram, thanking the Reiner's for the way they believed in true love, in fairy tales, and in laughter. She also thanked them for their faith in the best in people and profound love of country.

Mandalay de Al Barco, NPR News, Los Angeles. U.S. Futures are flat in after-hours trading. on Wall Street. This is NPR News. This message comes from Wise, the app for using money around the globe. When you manage your money with Wise, you'll always get the mid-market exchange rate

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