NPR News: 07-16-2026 4PM EDT

Lakshmi Singh· Host0:01

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump is set to deliver a primetime speech to the nation tonight at 9:00 Eastern. Here's NPR's Franco Ordoñez.

Franco Ordoñez0:12

President Trump is expected to use the coveted time to speak about the 2020 election, an election that he refuses to acknowledge he lost. Critics worry that a speech rehashing old claims about foreign interference and voting machines could sow distrust of the election system ahead of the upcoming midterms. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked about concerns from some Republicans that Trump is focusing too much on the past and not enough on current kitchen table issues like the economy ahead of the midterms.

Speaker 3· Soundbite0:41

I think the American people will be relieved to hear what they are hearing from the President of the United States and his commitment to transparency and the focus on the integrity of our elections tonight.

Franco Ordoñez0:52

Leavitt said Trump will likely also talk about the economy as well as Iran. Franco Ordoñez, NPR News.

Lakshmi Singh· Host0:59

Retail sales inched higher last month. NPR's Scott Horsley reports on the latest figures from the Commerce Department.

Scott Horsley1:06

Retail sales rose by two-tenths of 1% last month. Spending at auto dealers revved up while online sales got a boost from Amazon's Prime Day promotion. Spending at gas stations was sharply lower in June, thanks to falling gasoline prices. Gas prices have started climbing again now the U.S. ceasefire with Iran has unraveled. AAA says the average price of regular gas jumped a nickel a gallon overnight. The average price of diesel fuel