NPR News: 07-16-2026 9PM EDT

Libby Casey· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Libby Casey. President Trump is delivering a primetime speech to the nation at this hour. The White House pressed networks to air it live. NBC, ABC, and CNN are not running it on their main channels. NPR's Franco Ordoñez reports.

Franco Ordoñez0:17

President Trump is expected to use the coveted time to speak about the twenty-twenty 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· Soundbite0:46

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 Ordoñez0:57

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

Libby Casey· Host1:04

Federal transportation officials have removed a set of road safety recommendations from a key government website. NPR's Joel Rose reports safety advocates warn the change could make roads less safe.

Joel Rose1:16

The Federal Highway Administration has quietly cut its list of proven safety countermeasures, basically a collection of best practices that have been shown to make roads safer. Gone are bike lanes, speed cameras, and several other