11AM ET 12/20/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update — 11AM ET, 12/20/2025

Host: Paul Stevens, with reporting from Ainsley Earhart, David Spunt, Madeleine Rivera, and commentary from Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Overview

This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update covers major breaking news and political developments, including U.S. military strikes against ISIS in Syria, controversy over the DOJ’s release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, Rep. Elise Stefanik’s exit from New York gubernatorial and congressional races, President Trump’s economic messaging heading into election season, and an extended press conference by Secretary of State Marco Rubio touching on military, foreign, and economic policy.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Retaliatory Strikes in Syria

• [00:02–00:30]

  • The U.S. conducted airstrikes against over 70 ISIS targets in Syria, retaliating after three Americans (two Iowa National Guard members and a civilian interpreter) were killed last weekend.
  • Jordan’s air force also participated in the attacks.
  • The Pentagon has not disclosed casualty numbers from Friday’s strikes.

  Notable Quote:

  “The US Launching retaliatory strikes in Syria in response to last weekend's killing of three Americans… The U.S. hit more than 70 sites targeting ISIS fighters, infrastructure and weapons sites.”
  — Ainsley Earhart, 00:08

---

2. Justice Department’s Jeffrey Epstein Files Release

• [00:30–01:28]

  • Public criticism mounts over the DOJ’s problematic release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex trafficking investigations.
    • Issues: website glitches, missing files, heavy redactions, lack of labeling or context for photographs.
    • Several photos of former President Bill Clinton appear in the documents; however, key contextual information is missing, and some faces are redacted “to protect any potential victims.”
    • Notably, a photo includes Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, again without context.

  Notable Quote:

  “There are plenty of photographs, but many have no names, dates or location… Now there are several photos of former President Bill Clinton. Within the first few documents, he's recognizable, unlike many others in many photos.”
  — David Spunt, 00:53

---

3. Rep. Elise Stefanik Withdraws from Governor and Congress Races

• [01:28–02:00]

  • Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) has ended her campaigns for both New York governor (2026) and for re-election to Congress, citing family reasons.
    • She had only formally declared her gubernatorial run in November.

  Notable Quote:

  “Elise Stefanik ending her bid to become New York state's next governor and also saying she will not seek reelection to Congress… citing her family as the main reason for stepping out.”
  — Paul Stevens, 01:28

---

4. President Trump’s Economic Push in North Carolina

• [02:31–03:12]

  • President Trump appeared in Florida after a campaign rally in North Carolina—the final rally of the year—touting his economic record.
    • Messaging focused on tax refunds, “warrior dividend” payments to service members, and housing reforms.
    • Trump aims to boost GOP prospects in a key Senate race.

  Notable Quote:

  “…trying to convince voters his economic approach is working and they'll reap the bulk of the benefits next year. He says that will be in the form of large tax refunds, Warrior dividend checks for service members and housing reforms.”
  — Madeleine Rivera, 02:38

---

5. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Press Conference

• Military Actions:

  • The U.S. has targeted suspected drug-running boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific; Rubio says nothing so far has warranted congressional notification or crossed a “threshold into war.”
    • “To this point, nothing has happened that requires us to notify Congress… or cross the threshold into war.”
      — Marco Rubio, 03:27

• Venezuela Policy:

  • Rubio rules out negotiations with “dictator Nicolas Maduro.”
    • “It's hard to have and do a deal with someone who never keeps a deal.”
      — Marco Rubio, 03:41

• China Relations:

  • Rubio describes China as a permanent and powerful factor in global geopolitics.
    • The U.S. must find areas for cooperation while managing competition.
    • “China is going to be, is and it will continue to be a rich and powerful country and a factor in geopolitics. And we have to deal with them… find the things we are able to work together on.”
      — Marco Rubio, 03:50

• Personal Record:

  • Rubio, lightly joking, remarks on his own dealings with China:
    • “I think I've been nice to China.”
      — Marco Rubio, 04:01

• Gaza Ceasefire:

  • Rubio also notes the ongoing ceasefire in Gaza since October.

---

6. Vatican News and Catholic Appointments

• [04:06–04:28]
  • The Vatican has confirmed all Catholic cardinals will convene on January 7–8, 2026.
    • Bishop Ronald Hicks of Joliet, Illinois, appointed next Archbishop of New York, by Pope Leo XIV.

---

Memorable Moments & Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Retaliatory Strikes:
  “The U.S. hit more than 70 sites targeting ISIS fighters, infrastructure and weapons sites.”
  — Ainsley Earhart, 00:08

• Epstein Files Release:
  “Many [files] have no names, dates or location. And context is really empty in some of them.”
  — David Spunt, 00:53

• Stefanik Withdrawal:
  “Citing her family as the main reason for stepping out of the 2026 race to unseat Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul.”
  — Paul Stevens, 01:28

• Military Operations:
  “Nothing has happened that requires us to notify Congress or get congressional approval or cross the threshold into war.”
  — Marco Rubio, 03:27

• Negotiation with Maduro:
  “It’s hard to have and do a deal with someone who never keeps a deal.”
  — Marco Rubio, 03:41

• On China:
  “China is going to be, is and it will continue to be a rich and powerful country and a factor in geopolitics.”
  — Marco Rubio, 03:50

• Self-Assessment:
  “I think I’ve been nice to China.”
  — Marco Rubio, 04:01

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• U.S. retaliatory strikes: 00:02–00:30
• Epstein files controversy: 00:30–01:28
• Elise Stefanik announcement: 01:28–02:00
• President Trump’s rally and economic focus: 02:31–03:12
• Marco Rubio’s press conference: 03:12–04:06
• Vatican/Cardinals update: 04:06–04:28

---

Final Note

The episode delivers a fast-paced summary of top headlines, providing updates on U.S. military actions, political intrigue, high-profile investigations, election dynamics, and global religious news with the crisp, urgent tone characteristic of Fox News newscasts.

Transcript

[Paul Stevens]

Returning fire. I'm Paul Stevens, Fox News. Dozens of ISIS targets hit by the US Yesterday.

[Ainsley Earhart]

The US Launching retaliatory strikes in Syria in response to last weekend's killing of three Americans. The U.S. hit more than 70 sites targeting ISIS fighters, infrastructure and weapons sites. Two Iowa National Guard members and a U.S. civilian interpreter were killed last Saturday. They were in eastern Syria as part of a coalition fighting isis.

[Paul Stevens]

And that's fox's Chanley Painter. The Pentagon not saying how many people have been killed by those Friday strikes. Jordan though confirming that its air force did take part in those attacks. The Justice Department's push to release all of its files connected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's sex trafficking cases. Drawing fire for glitches on the website. Missing documents and plenty of redactions.

[David Spunt]

The documents are not labeled with any great detail. There are plenty of photographs, but many have no names, dates or location. And context in is really empty in some of them. Some of the photos are of mature content. Now there are several photos of former President Bill Clinton. Within the first few documents, he's recognizable, unlike many others in many photos. But the photos of Clinton don't have any context. Now there are some photos with Clinton and other faces blacked out. DOJ says that is to protect any potential victims. One of the photos shows the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger sitting around a table. But again, no context is is provided.

[Paul Stevens]

And that is Fox's David Spunt. New York GOP Congresswoman Elise Stefanik ending her bid to become New York state's next governor and also saying she will not seek reelection to Congress. In the message posted to X Defan exciting her family as the main reason for stepping out of the 2026 race to unseat Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul. After ramping up for months, Stefanic officially declared her candidacy for governor in November. America's listening to Fox News.

[KFC Commercial Voice]

A KFC tale in the pursuit of flavor. The holidays were tricky for the colonel. He loved people, but he also loved peace and quiet. So he cooked up KFC's 499 chicken pot pie. Warm, flaky with savory sauce and vegetables. It's a tender, chicken filled excuse to get some time to yourself and step away from decking the halls with whatever that means. The colonel lived so we could chicken. KFC's chicken pot pie, the best $4.99 you'll spend this season.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Prices and participation may vary while supplies last.

[David Spunt]

Taxes, tips and fees extra.

[Paul Stevens]

President Trump in Florida today after holding a rally in North Carolina Friday touting his efforts to lower the cost of living.

[Madeleine Rivera]

This is the President's last rally of the year and it's no surprise that his closing message is on the economy. As we head into a midterm year, North Carolina was the second stop of his domestic tour to sell his economic message. The state will see a crucial Senate race to succeed retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis. Obviously, the President is trying to keep that seat in the GOP's hands, so he's trying to convince voters his economic approach is working and they'll reap the bulk of the benefits next year. He says that will be in the form of large tax refunds, Warrior dividend checks for service members and housing reforms.

[Paul Stevens]

And that's Fox's Madeleine Rivera in D.C. secretary of State Marco Rubio, meantime, defending military operations against suspected drug running boats targeted in both the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. This during a long end of year news conference on Friday.

[Marco Rubio]

I can tell you that to this point, nothing has happened that requires us to notify Congress or get congressional approval or cross the threshold into war.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Rubio also insisted negotiating with dictator Nicolas Maduro to avoid war is not an option.

[Marco Rubio]

So look, it's hard to have and do a deal with someone who never keeps a deal.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Rubio defended the administration's record on dealing with economic superpower China.

[Marco Rubio]

China is going to be, is and it will continue to be a rich and powerful country and a factor in geopolitics. And we have to deal with them. We have to find the things we are able to work together on.

[Ainsley Earhart]

And his own record, too.

[Marco Rubio]

I think I've been nice to China.

[Ainsley Earhart]

He also touted the ceasefire underway in Gaza since October.

[Paul Stevens]

And that's fox's Gillian Turner. All the Catholic cardinals set together at the Vatican in the new year on January 7th and January 8th. That's been confirmed today. This coming after Pope Leo XIV appointed Bishop Ronald Hicks of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois to be the next Archbishop of New York. I'm Paul Stevens. This is Fox News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of Jesus.

[KFC Commercial Voice]

A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.