11PM ET 12/04/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 11PM ET 12/04/2025 Newscast (Aired Dec 5, 2025)

Main Theme

This tightly packed news segment, hosted by Lisa Lacera and co-anchored by Ryan Schmelz with contributions from Laura Ingraham, summarizes the latest developments in U.S. politics, national security, crime, and notable social trends as of December 4, 2025. The episode features breaking updates on U.S. travel bans, military actions, emerging criminal cases, legislative developments, and cultural trends, all in a brisk, hard-news style.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Travel Ban Expansion

• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announces an expanded travel ban.
  • Noem emphasizes that the U.S. will restrict entry from countries lacking stable governments or thorough self-vetting procedures.
  • President Trump expanded the travel ban from 12 to 19 countries earlier in the week, with further expansions expected.
  • Quote (Kristi Noem via Lisa Lacera, 00:17):
    “If countries don't have a stable government or vet their own people, why should we allow them into the U.S.?”
  • Laura Ingraham, 00:12: “I won’t be specific on the number, but it’s over 30.” (regarding countries affected)

2. U.S. Military Strike in the Caribbean

• The military conducted its 22nd strike on a suspected drug boat in the eastern Caribbean, resulting in four fatalities.
• A congressional hearing questions the decision-making behind a previous double strike off Venezuela.
  • Admiral Frank Bradley denies any blanket “kill them all” order from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
  • Memorable Moment (Lisa Lacera, 00:47):
    “There was no kill them all order from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth…”

3. Pipe Bomb Case Linked to January 6th

• Brian Cole Jr. arrested for allegedly placing pipe bombs near political headquarters in D.C. on January 5, 2021.
  • Evidence includes cell phone data and bank records linking Cole to bomb-making materials purchases.
  • Charges: Transporting explosives interstate, attempted destruction by explosives; more charges possible.
  • Ryan Schmelz, 01:07: “Brian Cole Jr.'s cell phone pinged in the area of the RNC and DNC the night of the crime…”
  • Motive remains unclear; connection to Capitol riot not established.

4. Letitia James and Virginia Grand Jury

• New York Attorney General Letitia James responds after a Virginia grand jury declines to re-indict her on mortgage fraud allegations.
  • Lisa Lacera, 01:36: “Letitia James says it's time for unchecked weaponization of our justice system to stop…”

5. Congressional Update: Matt Van Epps Sworn In

• Matt Van Epps officially joins the House, representing Tennessee’s 7th District after Mark Green’s retirement.
  • Van Epps pledges to seek results for constituents.
  • The GOP’s slim majority highlighted: 219 Republicans to 213 Democrats.
  • Matt Van Epps, 03:46: “Our constituents are looking for results. The people of Tennessee didn’t send me here to just give a speech.”

6. U.S. Visa Policies and International Events

• The Trump administration directs embassies to prioritize visa applicants attending the 2026 World Cup or 2028 Olympics, as well as investors.
• New scrutiny for foreign workers: Visas may be denied to those involved in censorship of Americans on social media.

7. Most Mispronounced Words of 2025

• Babbel, a language learning company, releases a list of hard-to-say names and terms dominating the news:
  • “Louvre” (French museum where crown jewels were stolen)
  • “Zoran Mamdani” (NYC mayor-elect)
  • Difficult pharma names like “Maunjaro,” as well as acetaminophen.
  • Babbel Language Expert, 04:58: “A lot of these names come from different languages, so we have to adapt to a sound we’d never made before.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Travel Ban Expansion:

  • Laura Ingraham, 00:12:
    “I won’t be specific on the number, but it’s over 30.” (countries on the travel ban list)
  • Kristi Noem via Lisa Lacera, 00:17:
    “If countries don’t have a stable government or vet their own people, why should we allow them into the U.S.?”

• On Military Engagements:

  • Lisa Lacera, 00:47:
    “There was no kill them all order from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth…”

• On Justice Department Weaponization:

  • Lisa Lacera, 01:36:
    “Letitia James says it's time for unchecked weaponization of our justice system to stop...”

• On New Congressional Member:

  • Matt Van Epps, 03:46:
    “Our constituents are looking for results. The people of Tennessee didn’t send me here to just give a speech.”

• On Language and Mispronunciation:

  • Babbel Expert, 04:58:
    “That explains the French museum where the crown jewels were stolen. And Zoran Mamdani, the mayor elect of New York… who can pronounce made up pharma names Maunjaro is as awkward as it looks.”

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Important Timestamps

• 00:02: Episode opens; travel ban expansion introduced.
• 00:47: U.S. military strike in Caribbean discussed; congressional hearing after Venezuelan strikes.
• 01:07: Pipe bomb arrest details; focus on evidence and charges.
• 01:36: Letitia James speaks out after grand jury declines re-indictment.
• 03:41: House Speaker Mike Johnson swears in Matt Van Epps.
• 04:22: Visa prioritization for investors and world events; new worker visa criteria.
• 04:58: Mispronounced words of the year explained by language expert.

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Overall Tone & Style

• Fast-paced, focused on newsworthy developments.
• Balanced delivery of hard news with occasional pointed commentary, reflecting Fox News’ straightforward and sometimes confrontational style.
• Multiple voices for diversity and source attribution, preserving the news bulletin’s brisk energy.

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For listeners who missed the episode: This summary provides a comprehensive overview of key stories and direct quotes from a pivotal hour in national news, capturing the urgency and details of fast-moving developments while highlighting the issues driving the headlines on December 4, 2025.

Transcript

[Lisa Lacera]

More countries on the list. I'm Lisa Lacera, FOX News. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says the travel ban will be expanded, telling fox's.

[Laura Ingraham]

Laura Ingraham, I won't be specific on the number, but it's over 30.

[Ryan Schmelz]

And the president is continuing to evaluate countries.

[Lisa Lacera]

Noem says if countries don't have a stable government or vet their own people, why should we allow them into the U.S. president Trump signed a proclamation in June banning the citizens of 12 countries from entering the US that was expanded to 19 earlier this week. The US military says it's conducted a strike on a suspected drug boat in the eastern Caribbean, killing four people, the 22nd such strike this coming on the same day the commander who ordered the double hit on a boat off the coast of Venezuela appeared before members of the House and Senate in a closed hearing as they question why the second strike was carried out. Admiral Frank Bradley told them there was no kill them all order from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, a Virginia man under arrest accused of placing pipe bombs near the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington the day before the January 6th Capitol riot.

[Ryan Schmelz]

Brian Cole Jr. S cell phone pinged in the area of the RNC and DNC the night of the crime, January 5th, 2021. Authorities say bank receipts show that Cole purchased bomb making materials in 2020 used to make those specific pipe bombs. The FBI agent spent hours at his home in Woodbridge, Virginia, a D.C. suburb. He's charged with transporting an explosive device in interstate commerce as well as attempted destruction by means of explosive materials. Authorities say search warrants are being executed. More charges could be on the way.

[Lisa Lacera]

Fox's David Spine A motive for the plot is not clear and it's not known if it's connected to the Capitol riot. New York Attorney General Letitia James says it's time for unchecked weaponization of our justice system to stop after a grand jury in Virginia declined to re indict her on allegations of mortgage fraud. America is listening to FOX news.

[Laura Ingraham]

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[Lisa Lacera]

News House Speaker Mike Johnson has sworn in the newest member of Congress, Matt.

[Matt Van Epps]

Van Epps, officially joining the House of Representatives, saying he's ready to get to work.

[Ryan Schmelz]

Our constituents are looking for results. The people of Tennessee didn't send me here to just give a speech.

[Matt Van Epps]

The Republican want a special election in Tennessee's 7th congressional district to replace former Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, who retired. Van Epps gives Republicans a much needed boost with the upcoming retirement of Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, as the GOP will have a slim majority at 219 Republicans to 213 Democrats. On Capitol Hill, Ryan Schmelz, Fox News.

[Lisa Lacera]

The Trump administration has instructed U.S. embassies and consulates around the world to prioritize visa applications from people wishing to visit the US to either invest in America or attend the 2026 World Cup, 2028 Olympics and other major sporting events. At the same time, the administration has added new criteria for highly skilled foreign workers seeking a particular visa that could deny entry to those deemed to have directed or participated in the censorship of American citizens on social media. A language learning company out with a list of this year's most mispronounced words and many of them were big news stories.

[Babbel Language Expert]

Can you say Louvre? It's tough. The language learning company Babbel notes, a lot of these names come from different languages, so we have to adapt to a sound we'd never made before. That explains the French museum where the crown jewels were stolen. And Zoran Mamdani, the mayor elect of New York. Also one of the year's most googled names, says it's Zoran, not Zoron, and often gets Man, Domi or even Zomdani who can pronounce made up pharma names Maunjaro is as awkward as it looks. The GLP weight loss drug. The reason people just say Tylenol is it's hard to ace acetaminophen.

[Lisa Lacera]

Fox's Therese Crowley. I'm Lisa Lucera. This is FOX news.

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[Ryan Schmelz]

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