11PM ET 12/22/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 11PM ET 12/22/2025 Newscast

Host: Ted Lindner (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: December 23, 2025

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Episode Overview

This late-night edition of the Fox News Hourly Update delivers concise reports on the top news stories as of December 22, 2025. The episode covers heightened U.S. actions against Venezuela, global diplomatic changes by the Trump administration, escalating tensions following an anti-Semitic attack in Australia, a tragic Mexican naval plane crash, a major settlement with Mercedes Benz, and the latest Powerball jackpot.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Escalates Pressure on Venezuela

• [00:02] Ted Lindner opens with a report on the Trump administration’s crackdown on Venezuelan oil tankers as part of ramped-up sanctions against President Nicolas Maduro’s regime.
• [00:16] Madison Scarpino details U.S. efforts:
  • The Coast Guard and War Department are actively working to seize a third oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.
  • Dramatic video captured a Coast Guard special reaction team boarding a tanker from a Navy helicopter.
  • Despite bipartisan opposition to Maduro at home, “there are some critics” of the aggressive U.S. stance.
  • Russia pledges unequivocal support for Venezuela amid the crisis.

Notable Quote:

• Madison Scarpino: “The Coast Guard and the War Department are working to seize a third oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela… and while the Trump administration isn't backing down on its aggressive action against Venezuela… there are some critics.” [00:16]

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2. Announcement of U.S. "Golden Fleet" Warships

• [00:43] President Trump, speaking at Mar-a-Lago, unveils plans to build the “Golden Fleet” — touted as the “fastest, the biggest and by far 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built.”

Notable Quote:

• Ted Lindner quoting President Trump:
  “These are the best in the world. They'll be the fastest, the biggest and by far 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built.” [00:43]

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3. Outrage in Australia Over Anti-Semitic Attack

• [00:43] The episode shifts to Sydney, where public anger is mounting over the government’s response to a anti-Semitic shooting at a Hanukkah celebration.

• [01:09] Steve Harrigan reports:

  • Citizens accuse leaders of failing to seriously address anti-Semitism.
  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was booed at a commemoration event and did not speak.
  • Critics point to ongoing anti-Semitic incidents such as synagogue fires, destruction of Jewish businesses, and hateful rhetoric at protests.
  • The recent attack is portrayed as a result of this growing hostility.

Notable Quote:

• Steve Harrigan:
  “We’re sick and tired of hearing about the government blaming gun laws or, you know, other things instead of really addressing the main issue about anti-Semitism.” [01:09]

  “[Critics point to] an atmosphere that made an attack like Sunday’s almost inevitable.” [01:09]

• [01:49] Authorities recovered undetonated explosives and ISIS flags from the suspects’ vehicle.

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4. Mexican Naval Plane Crash Off Texas Coast

• [02:32] At least five people have died in a Mexican naval plane crash near Galveston, Texas.
  • The plane was on a medical support mission carrying a young patient and seven others (four Navy officers, four civilians, including a child).

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5. U.S. Recalls 29 Ambassadors

• [02:53] Jessica Rosenthal reports:
  • The Trump administration is recalling chiefs of mission in 29 countries.
  • The State Department describes this as “standard process in any administration,” allowing the president to advance a so-called “America first agenda.”
  • Among the locations affected: several African countries (Somalia, Nigeria, Rwanda), Philippines, Vietnam, Guatemala, and Egypt.

Notable Quote:

• Jessica Rosenthal:
  “Ambassadors are personal representatives of the president and it is the president’s right to ensure he has people in place who advance an America first agenda.” [02:53]

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6. Mercedes Benz Emissions Settlement

• [03:30] Gernall Scott breaks down a major legal development:
  • Mercedes Benz and parent Daimler AG settle for nearly $150 million with most U.S. states and territories over allegations of rigged emissions tests in 211,000 vehicles.
  • As part of the deal, the automaker must report pollution levels promptly and cease misleading marketing.
  • This follows a 2020 federal and California settlement over similar issues.

Notable Quote:

• Gernall Scott:
  “The company said the agreement Monday ends its legal emissions issues with the rest of the country.” [03:37]

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7. Powerball Jackpot Update

• [04:19] Ted Lindner notes that the latest Powerball jackpot stands at a massive $1.6 billion, making it the second-largest of the year.

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Memorable Moments and Quotes

• [01:09] (Steve Harrigan, on Australia):
  “There is anger over what many say was a failure of the current government to protect its citizens… Prime Minister Albanese was greeted by raucous boos from the crowd.”
• [00:43] (President Trump, via Lindner):
  “They'll be the fastest, the biggest and by far 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built.”
• [02:53] (Jessica Rosenthal):
  “Ambassadors are personal representatives of the president and it is the president’s right to ensure he has people in place who advance an America first agenda.”

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Key Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Summary | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------| | 00:02 | U.S. action against Venezuelan oil tankers | | 00:16 | U.S. Coast Guard details, Russia’s response | | 00:43 | Trump unveils “Golden Fleet” warships | | 01:09 | Outrage in Australia after anti-Semitic attack | | 01:49 | Explosives, ISIS flags recovered in Australia | | 02:32 | Mexican naval plane crash near Texas | | 02:53 | U.S. recalling 29 ambassadors | | 03:30 | Mercedes Benz emissions settlement | | 04:19 | Powerball jackpot update |

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Tone and Language

The episode maintains Fox News' direct, brisk, and urgent reporting style, balancing hard news with concise quotes and occasional dramatic language (e.g., "bipartisan opposition," "100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built," "atmosphere that made an attack like Sunday’s almost inevitable"). Each reporter delivers focused updates without editorial commentary.

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This summary provides a comprehensive snapshot of the 11PM ET 12/22/2025 Fox News Hourly Update, capturing top world and U.S. headlines with pivotal quotes, insights, and precise timestamps.

Transcript

[A]

Pursuing another tanker. I'm Ted Lindner, FOX News. That's what the Trump administration is doing is they ramp up their efforts to ban sanction oil tankers in and out of Venezuela, escalating pressure on President Nicolas Maduro's government. Fox's Madison Scarpino with more.

[B]

The Coast Guard and the War Department are working to seize a third oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. Video from Saturday shows a Coast Guard special reaction team fast roping aboard a tanker from a US Navy helicopter. And while the Trump administration isn't backing down on its aggressive action actions against Venezuela and there is bipartisan opposition to the Maduro regime, there are some critics. Meanwhile, the Russian government is pledging full support of Venezuela amid all this.

[A]

Meantime, President Trump announcing the US Is building a series of warships known as the Golden Fleet. These are the best in the world. They'll be the fastest, the biggest and by far 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built. The president making the announcement at Mar a Lago. Some Australians angry with their government's response to anti Semitism in the wake of a shooting by a father and son duo at Ohanukah celebration. Fox's Steve Harrigan with more from Sydney.

[C]

There is anger over what many say was a failure of the current government to protect its citizens. We're sick and tired of hearing about the government blaming gun laws or, you know, other things instead of really addressing the main issue about anti Semitism. Prime Minister Albanese was greeted by raucous boos from the crowd gathered to mark the one week out anniversary of the attack and he did not speak at the event. His critics point to growing anti Semitism in the country, including synagogues, firebombed, Jewish businesses destroyed and open hate speech at anti Israel demonstrations, all contributing, they say, to an atmosphere that made an attack like Sundays almost inevitable.

[A]

Police recovering undetonated explosives from the Sun's car as well as homemade ISIS flags. America's listening to FOX News.

[D]

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[A]

At least five people are dead after a Mexican naval plane crash off the coast of Galveston, Texas it had been on a medical support mission. A young medical patient and seven others were on board. Four of the people on board were Navy officers. Four were civilians, including a child that, according to the Mexican Navy. The Trump administration calling 29ambassadors and embassy leaders back to Washington. Fox's Jessica Rosenthal's got more on why.

[E]

The chiefs of mission in 29 countries are being recalled. State Department officials told the Associated Press these ambassadors and seniors, senior embassy officials were told their terms would end in January. State didn't confirm the number, but said this is a standard process in any administration and that ambassadors are personal representatives of the president and it is the president's right to ensure he has people in place who advance an America first agenda. Africa is the most impacted with 13 people being recalled from places including Somalia, Nigeria and Rwanda. But people are being recalled from the Philippines as well as Vietnam, Guatemala and Egypt. Jessica Rosenthal, FOX News Mercedes Benz and.

[A]

Its parent company have reached a multi state settlement over allegations at rigged emissions test results. Fox's Grinal Scott with more on this.

[F]

The settlement amount, nearly $150 million, was won by attorneys general representing the vast majority of states as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. They allege the automaker put devices in more than 211,000 of its cars, allowing them to regulate emissions during testing. As part of the deal, Mercedes Benz and Daimler ag, its parent company, must report prompt levels and end any misleading marketing. Mercedes in 2020 settled a similar lawsuit paying a billion and a half dollars to the federal government in California. The company said the agreement Monday ends its legal emissions issues with the rest of the country. Gernall Scott, Fox News and tonight's Powerball.

[A]

Jackpot worth at least $1.6 billion, the second biggest jackpot of the year. I'm Ted Lindner. This is FOX News.

[B]

This is Ainsley Earhart.

[E]

Thank you for joining me for the.

[A]

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