NPR News: 07-16-2026 6PM EDT

Libby Casey· Host0:01

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Libby Casey. President Trump is set to deliver a primetime speech to the nation tonight. NPR's Franco Ordoñez reports.

Franco Ordoñez0:10

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.

Karoline Leavitt· Soundbite0:40

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 Ordoñez0:50

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

Libby Casey· Host0:58

Federal regulators are investigating President Trump's longtime teleprompter operator over suspected insider trading. As NPR's Bobby Allyn reports, the White House staffer is accused of using the betting site Kalshi to profit off the president's words.

Bobby Allyn1:13

His name is Gabriel Perez. He's Trump's longtime teleprompter operator. Investigators say he made around $100,000 placing bets on what the president would say as he watched the prepared remarks roll across a screen. That's according to two people with knowledge of the investigation who weren't authorized to speak publicly. On booming