NPR News: 07-17-2026 7PM EDT

Libby Casey· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Libby Casey. Despite promising major revelations about election security in last night's primetime address, President Trump repeated unfounded claims about election interference. Documents provided by the White House did not back up his assertions that the election system is, quote, "broken." NPR's Franco Ordoñez says Trump used a high-profile perch to steer the political conversation.

Franco Ordoñez0:24

This speech may also be about redefining the terms of the debate going into the midterms. I mean, voters are very concerned about the economy and Iran, and that's been hurting Trump politically. But election security is something that has energized Trump's supporters in the past. So even though many of these claims have already been debunked, Democrats actually risk being drawn into a prolonged back-and-forth with Republicans on proposals that they think are popular, instead of spending that time talking about the economy.

Libby Casey· Host0:54

Democrats reacted to Trump's speech by warning that he could use his claims to curb voting rights and cast doubt on the midterm elections. President Trump's social media company is planning to sell faster access to the president's posts. As NPR's Bobby Allyn reports, the service is being offered to banks and Wall Street trading firms.

Bobby Allyn1:12

The company that runs Trump's Truth Social platform is offering to give customers faster access to the president's often long and rambling social media posts. At times, Trump makes major announcements about policy or foreign affairs from his Truth Social account, whether about tariffs or the war in Iran. Those posts can move financial markets.