Simply saying you heard it on NPR means nothing.

Yes, NPR is a bit left leaning, so of course if the goal is to get credibility via association (at least with people who pay attention to the news), then it was a good silly start.

But WHO said it? In WHAT context?

NPR interviews both sides all the time, I hear right wing garbage spouted all the time. Pay attention to who is saying what, and try to figure his motivation. This is a skill I'm trying to teach my daughter. You should try it sometime.