Trump’s approval rating; Saudi prince on Khashoggi : NPR
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Today’s stop stories
President Trump defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman yesterday when a reporter questioned him during a meeting with the two leaders in the Oval Office about the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The CIA concluded that the crown prince approved the operation that led to Khashoggi’s murder and dismemberment.
President Trump (left) gives Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman a tour of the White House, November 18, 2025, in Washington, DC. The two leaders held meetings aimed at strengthening economic and defense ties, including the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.
Puce Somodevilla/Getty Images
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Puce Somodevilla/Getty Images
- 🎧 The crown prince also responded to the question about Khashoggi regretting the killing. His reaction was noticeably different in tone from Trump’s, NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben reports. First. The meeting between the two leaders resulted in a number of agreements, including the United States agreeing to sell F-35 tanks and fighter jets to the Saudis. The White House also announced that Saudi Arabia is committing $1 trillion to invest in the United States. The text of many additional agreements that the two countries claim to have signed has not yet been released.
The House and Senate agreed to force the Justice Department to make the records public. linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The measure will now head to Trump’s desk after a unanimous Senate vote yesterday. The president promised to sign the bill, but told reporters that the focus on the files was a Democratic hoax.
- 🎧 Information emerging from the files could fuel new conflicts in the debate around the Epstein affairsays NPR’s Sam Gringlas. The legislation applies to unclassified documents, communications, or investigative materials held by the Department of Justice, the FBI, and U.S. attorneys’ offices involved in the cases. The president pledged to focus on Democrats whose names might appear in the filings, which must be made public within 30 days of signing the bill. Additionally, what the Justice Department decides to expunge from records could spark further questions from the public.
A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds that Trump’s approval rating has reached a new low, 10 months into his second term. He and the Republican Party get the most blame when it comes to the government shutdown, and people overwhelmingly say he needs to focus on lowering prices. There are signs that Democrats could reap the rewards of this criticism as the 2026 midterm elections approach. Here’s a look at the poll results by the numbers.
- 🎧 NPR’s Domenico Montanaro highlights an interesting discovery: When respondents were asked who they would vote for if the midterm elections were held today, Democrats had a 14-point advantage. The last time the gap was this wide was eight years ago, during Trump’s first term. A year later, Democrats won 40 seats. The survey also found that people are generally dissatisfied with everything; respondents expressed little or no confidence in Congress, the media, political parties, the Supreme Court, or the presidency.
Deep dive
Trump has floated the idea of a 50-year fixed mortgage, a concept that many observers, including some Trump supporters, loathe. Critics complained that a 50-year fixed mortgage would leave Americans in debt for their entire adult lives. The idea may not solve America’s housing affordability problem, but is the idea as unconventional as it sounds? Here’s what we know:
- 🏠 Most homeowners give up their mortgage early by refinancing or moving to a new location. The average American homeowner stays in their home for less than 12 years, according to an analysis by Redfin.
- 🏠 Long-term fixed-rate mortgages allow for lower monthly payments and the ability to freeze housing costs, allowing buyers to refinance when it suits them.
- 🏠 The problems identified with the idea of the 50 year mortgage are also evident in the 30 year mortgage. The motivation behind this proposal is to make homeownership more accessible to Americans, especially as potential buyers face high prices and interest rates.
Image exhibition
Erlinda Casaverde, Martha Martinez, Michelle McDonald, Belinda Cardenas, Sandra Rodriguez and Dolores de Leon Savage are six of the eight women who play the role of Las Abuelitas de Oro.
Joey Palacios/TPR
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Joey Palacios/TPR
Latina grandmothers in their 70s and 80s from San Antonio, Texas, came together to form a folk dance troupe known as Las Abuelitas De Oro, a name inspired by The golden girls. Folklórico is a traditional Mexican dance that combines regional dance and ballet techniques. It features intricate footwork and elaborate skirt movements. The troupe has gained popularity in the city because, despite their age, its members can perform impressive moves for long periods of time with great enthusiasm. They now offer free performances year-round throughout San Antonio and are dedicated to passing on their culture to new generations by teaching the traditional art form. Take a look at these photos, which showcase their culture. (via Texas Public Radio)
3 things to know before you leave
“Friendsgiving” describes a meal, usually potluck-style, shared with friends at Thanksgiving time. The custom may be centuries old, but the word only entered the Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2020.
PeopleImages/Getty Images/iStockphoto
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PeopleImages/Getty Images/iStockphoto
- Friendsgiving is a typically potluck-style gathering of friends that takes place close to the date of Thanksgiving. Celebration can mean different things to different people. Here’s a look at NPR’s “Word of the Week” and expert tips on how to celebrate Friendsgiving.
- The new “Amped: music icons in Levi’s Denim“ The exhibition, located at Levi’s San Francisco headquarters, shows how jeans reveal surprising insights into the lives and legacies of the artists who wore them, from Freddie Mercury to Beyoncé.
- The 36-unit Rainbow Road Apartments complex, inspired by a Nintendo Mario Kart game, is set to open in Phoenix next month. Take a look at the building. (via KJZZ)
This newsletter was published by Suzanne Nuyen.
