Up First from NPR Trump Defends Saudi Prince, Epstein Bill Passes, Trump Low Approval Rating
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Nov 19, 2025 
Danielle Kurtzleben, an NPR White House correspondent, shares insights on Trump's controversial defense of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, unveiling major U.S.-Saudi agreements. Sam Greenglass, an NPR congressional reporter, discusses bipartisan efforts to release Justice Department files on Jeffrey Epstein, highlighting potential political fallout. Domenico Montanaro, NPR’s senior political editor, analyzes alarming poll results showing Trump's low approval ratings and the rising Democratic edge, calling attention to voter priorities and intra-party GOP tensions.
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Trump's Defense Overshadows Saudi Deals
- President Trump defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and downplayed questions about Jamal Khashoggi's killing.
- The visit produced major military, nuclear, and investment agreements despite tensions over human rights.
Big Agreements, Few Details
- The U.S. and Saudi Arabia announced cooperation on nuclear energy, AI, defense, and a potential $1 trillion Saudi investment in the U.S.
- Many agreement details remain undisclosed as the texts haven’t all been released yet.
Saudi Named Major Non‑NATO Ally
- The White House designated Saudi Arabia a major non‑NATO ally, expanding defense and financial ties.
- That status allows Saudi firms to bid on certain U.S. defense contracts and deepens research cooperation.