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NPR News Now

NPR News: 01-20-2026 3PM EST

20 Jan 2026

Transcription

Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?

1.499 - 4.285 Lakshmi Singh

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh.

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Chapter 2: What are the latest updates on Wall Street's performance?

5.027 - 25.648 Lakshmi Singh

Wall Street's witnessing a sharp downturn this afternoon. European countries are recoiling at President Trump's plan to control Greenland and his threat of new tariffs February 1st if they get in the way and markets are reacting. At last check, the Dow was down 885 points or 1.7 percent. Major market indices all down roughly 2 percent.

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25.688 - 35.804 Lakshmi Singh

However, immigration has been dominating President Trump's remarks at the White House, where he was presiding over the daily press briefing on this anniversary of his second inauguration.

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36.045 - 45.645 Unknown

For the first time in 50 years, we are now seeing reverse migration. because we're getting all of these illegal people out.

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46.446 - 62.92 Lakshmi Singh

The Brookings Institution writes in a report this month, quote, we conclude that net migration was likely close to zero or negative over calendar year 2025 for the first time in at least half a century. It goes on to state that for 2026, net migration is projected to remain in negative territory.

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63.421 - 83.404 Lakshmi Singh

The report adds, quote, these figures come with the caveat that recent reductions in data transparency make the estimates more uncertain, end quote. In Iran, hackers targeted state television, disrupting programming with messages telling the country's security forces to disarm. NPR's Jackie Northam has the latest.

83.424 - 103.949 Jackie Northam

Multiple channels broadcast on state TV by satellite were interrupted Sunday evening, showing video supporting Iran's exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi. It's unclear how much support he garners in Iran. There was also footage of Iranian security forces on the street, with a message urging them not to turn their weapons on the protesters.

104.609 - 125.027 Jackie Northam

The semi-official Fars news agency acknowledged the hack, but not what was on the video. Iran's authoritarian regime has imposed a near-total internet and communications blackout since last week, leading to speculation whether the hackers used Starlink satellite system run by SpaceX. Jackie Northam, NPR News.

125.328 - 131.416 Lakshmi Singh

Elon Musk is pumping $10 million to back a Senate candidate in Kentucky. Here's NPR's Bobby Allen.

131.536 - 146.155 Bobby Allen

Musk donated to a group supporting Nate Morris, the Republican in the primary race to succeed Senator Mitch McConnell. Morris, who has ties to Vice President J.D. Vance, is a CEO based in Lexington who is critical of the Republican establishment. He's considered an underdog in the contest to follow McConnell.

Chapter 3: How is President Trump's immigration policy affecting migration trends?

146.135 - 162.274 Bobby Allen

The money represents the largest yet for Musk in the midterm election cycle. Musk spent nearly $300 million to back Trump in 2024 and assumed a high-profile role in the administration. But after the two became estranged, Musk claimed he was done with politics and even threatened to start his own party.

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162.635 - 171.045 Bobby Allen

But now, Musk is funneling millions into a super PAC to push nominees who position themselves as populist pro-business candidates. Bobby Allen, NPR News.

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172.072 - 194.963 Lakshmi Singh

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is now down more than 900 points. You're listening to NPR News. The Supreme Court hears oral arguments tomorrow in a case involving the Trump administration's attempt to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook. The high court will weigh arguments over whether President Trump has the authority to dismiss Cook or whether it's presidential overreach.

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195.584 - 220.987 Lakshmi Singh

Still remains to be seen if Fed Chair Jerome Powell will be there. He has frequently been a target of criticism by Trump for resisting interest rate cuts and has recently come under federal investigation. Netflix has sweetened its offer to take over most of Warner Brothers' Discovery. It is still valued at nearly $83 billion, but that would be all cash instead of a mix of cash and Netflix shares.

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221.508 - 223.172 Lakshmi Singh

Here's NPR's David Fokenflik.

223.321 - 243.844 David Folkenflik

Netflix wants to take over HBO Max, Warner Brothers Studios, the back catalog, and intellectual property like Harry Potter and DC Comics. Warner's board has already accepted the revised bid, but Paramount is making its case directly to Warner shareholders. Paramount's offer of $108 billion would take everything, including CNN, TBS, and other cable channels.

243.824 - 262.257 David Folkenflik

Paramount already owns Paramount Pictures, Paramount Plus and CBS. A wild card President Trump wants to say and how the transaction turns out. Paramount is financially controlled by two Trump allies, David Ellison and his father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison. Trump trashes CNN, but it's been critical of CBS News under the Ellisons, too.

262.658 - 267.807 David Folkenflik

And Netflix executives have been cozying up to the president. David Folkenflik and PR News.

268.225 - 279.045 Lakshmi Singh

The Nasdaq is now down 533 points or 2.2 percent. S&P is down as well, roughly 2 percent. The Dow has fallen 1.8 percent or 900 points. It's NPR News.

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