NPR News: 07-05-2026 8PM EDT

Dan Ronan· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. President Trump used his Fourth of July speech on the National Mall Saturday night to harshly criticize communists. NPR's Mara Liasson reports.

Mara Liasson0:13

Communists is Donald Trump's latest epithet for Democrats, and he's been using it lately as he searches for an advantage for Republicans in the midterm elections.

Donald Trump· Soundbite0:22

Our warriors did not fight communism on battlefields across the world only to have that menace rear its ugly head right back here in America.

Mara Liasson0:32

Trump is referring to a handful of members of the Democratic Socialists of America who just won some Democratic primaries. In safe blue districts, like in New York City, those wins may not matter since a Democrat was expected to win there anyway. But many Democrats are worried that in swing states and districts, they could be nominating candidates that are too far left to win a general election. Mara Liasson, NPR News.

Dan Ronan· Host0:57

Belgium is criticizing a decision by FIFA to allow a star striker from the U.S. men's national soccer team to play in tomorrow's world game between the two teams. This despite receiving a red card in the last match. NPR's Becky Sullivan reports.

Becky Sullivan1:14

The red card given to U.S. striker Falaren Balogun in the round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina was already controversial. Balogun did step on a defender's ankle, but the contact wasn't intentional and similar dust-ups in other games had gone unpunished. But red cards are supposed to come with