12AM ET 07/17/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – Detailed Summary
Episode: 12AM ET 07/17/2025 Newscast
Release Date: July 17, 2025
Host/Author: Fox News Radio

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1. President Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell

Overview:
The episode opens with a focus on President Donald Trump's stance regarding Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Amidst reports suggesting potential dismissal, President Trump clarifies his position, denying any immediate plans to fire Powell but indicating that his options remain open.

Key Points:

• Trump's Clarification:
  Sue Guzman reports, "President Trump clarifying his thoughts on Fed Chair Jerome Powell today. The president denying reports that he drafted a letter that would lead to Powell's firing" (00:03).

• Potential for Dismissal Discussed:
  Ed Lawrence adds, "I don't rule out anything, but I think it's highly unlikely unless he has to leave for fraud. I mean, it's possible there's fraud involved with the $2.5 $2.7 billion renovation" (00:18).

• Analyst Insight:
  An unnamed analyst explains, "President Trump cannot fire the Fed chairman without cause. And a policy dispute does not rise to the level of cause. So the White House doing a deep dive on the Federal Reserve's cost overruns for that rebuilding of its headquarters. The project now $2.7 billion, about $700 million over budget" (00:32). The analyst concludes that unless fraud is uncovered, Powell is expected to remain until his term ends on May 15, 2026.

• Presidential Intent:
  Sue Guzman notes, "The president may contend that Powell misrepresented the renovation in congressional testimony and that the cost is excessive, thus meriting dismissal" (00:59).

2. Legislation on Fentanyl Penalties – The HALT Act

Overview:
A significant portion of the newscast covers President Trump's efforts to intensify penalties for fentanyl trafficking and the introduction of the HALT Act.

Key Points:

• Mandatory Sentences Introduced:
  Ed Lawrence states, "Anyone caught trafficking these illicit poisons will be punished with a mandatory 10 year minimum sentence in prison" (01:14).

• Classification and Campaign Focus:
  Sue Guzman elaborates, "The so-called HALT act classifies fentanyl as a class one narcotic. President Trump made the cracking down on the drug a key part of his campaign" (01:22). She also mentions Trump's call for Canada and Mexico to collaborate in preventing fentanyl from entering the U.S.

3. Proposed Spending Cuts: Foreign Aid and Public Broadcasting

Overview:
The discussion shifts to a pending bill aimed at canceling $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting subsidies, commonly referred to as the "voterama."

Key Points:

• Legislative Progress:
  Sue Guzman reports, "A bill to cancel $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting subsidies is nearing passage in the Senate" (01:22). The bill is described as part of a broader debate over government spending.

• Republican Stance:
  "Republicans described the spending as wasteful. Senate passage of the spending cuts would then send the bill back to the House for final approval. The president has to sign the bill into law by midnight Friday" (01:22).

4. Jeffrey Epstein Case and Republican Criticism

Overview:
The episode addresses the closure of the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation and President Trump's response to Republican and conservative demands for more information.

Key Points:

• Trump's Dismissal of Criticism:
  Sue Guzman states, "President Trump says Republicans questioning the Justice Department's closing of the Jeffrey Epstein case are falling for a hoax" (03:08).

• Demand for Transparency:
  Jared Halpern reports, "Republican lawmakers and conservative influencers are demanding more information about the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation" (03:15).

• Trump's Rebuke:
  Ed Lawrence comments, "It's all been a big hoax. It's perpetrated by the Democrats and some stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans fall into the net and so they try and do the Democrats work" (03:27).

• Justice Department's Stance:
  The Justice Department has closed the investigation, withholding additional documents or a supposed client list. Jared Halpern adds, "President Trump has dismissed criticism as a distraction from his administration's accomplishments" (03:38).

5. President Trump's Attack on Senator Adam Schiff

Overview:
President Trump continues his ongoing feud with Senator Adam Schiff, accusing him of mortgage fraud and calling for his prosecution.

Key Points:

• Trump's Allegations:
  Sue Guzman reports, "President Trump is once again taking to social media to criticize a longtime rival, Senator Adam Schiff. The California Democrat has been referred to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution related to mortgage fraud in his documents" (03:54).

• Social Media Post Details:
  Jackie Heinrich shares, "Posting this to Truth Social, quote, adam Schiff said that his primary residence was in Maryland to get a cheaper mortgage and rip off America when he must live in California because he was a congressman from California. Mortgage fraud is very serious and crooked. Adam Schiff, now a senator, needs to be brought to justice" (04:10).

• Lawrence's Commentary:
  Ed Lawrence remarks, "I don't know about the individual charge, if that even happens, but Adam Schiff is a serious low life" (04:27).

• Schiff's Response:
  Jackie Heinrich reports Schiff's rebuttal: "Since I led his first impeachment, Trump has repeatedly called for me to be arrested for treason. So in a way, I guess this is a bit of a letdown. And this baseless attempt at political retribution won't stop me from holding him accountable, not by a long shot" (04:33).

6. Coca-Cola's Switch to Real Cane Sugar

Overview:
In a lighter segment, the newscast covers President Trump's influence on Coca-Cola's decision to switch from high fructose corn syrup to real cane sugar in its flagship soft drink within the United States.

Key Points:

• Coca-Cola's Agreement:
  Sue Guzman reports, "President Trump says Coca Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in its flagship soft drink in the US as his suggestion. The switch from high fructose corn syrup would put Coke in line with the practice in other countries, including Mexico" (04:48).

Conclusion

The episode of the Fox News Hourly Update on July 17, 2025, provides a comprehensive overview of President Trump's current political maneuvers and legislative initiatives. Key discussions revolve around potential actions against the Federal Reserve Chair, stringent measures against fentanyl trafficking, significant proposed spending cuts, and ongoing political disputes involving high-profile figures like Adam Schiff. Additionally, the segment on Coca-Cola's ingredient switch offers a glimpse into the President's influence on corporate decisions. Throughout the newscast, notable quotes and perspectives from hosts and analysts provide depth and insight into each topic.

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Note: Timestamps correspond to the specific points in the transcript where the information was discussed.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

No plans to fire the Fed chief. I'm Sue Guzman, Fox News. President Trump clarifying his thoughts on Fed Chair Jerome Powell today. The president denying reports that he drafted a letter that would lead to Powell's firing. But he says he's keeping his options open.

[Ed Lawrence]

I don't rule out anything, but I think it's highly unlikely unless he has to leave for fraud. I mean, it's possible there's fraud involved with the $2.5 $2.7 billion renovation.

[Sue Guzman]

Hawks business is. Ed Lawrence has more.

[Unnamed Analyst]

President Trump cannot fire the Fed chairman without cause. And a policy dispute does not rise to the level of cause. So the White House doing a deep dive on the Federal Reserve's cost overruns for that rebuilding of its headquarters. The project now $2.7 billion, about $700 million over budget. So unless that turns up something, it looks like the Fed chairman will be in his position to the end of his term on May 15, 2026, when a new Federal Reserve chairman will take over.

[Sue Guzman]

The president may contend that Powell misrepresented the renovation in congressional testimony and that the cost is excessive, thus meriting dismissal. President Trump signing legislation aimed at increasing penalties for selling fentanyl.

[Ed Lawrence]

Anyone caught trafficking these illicit poisons will be punished with a mandatory 10 year minimum sentence in prison.

[Sue Guzman]

The so called HALT act classifies fentanyl as a class one narcotic. President Trump made the cracking down on the drug a key part of his campaign. He also called for Canada and Mexico to do more to to keep fentanyl from flowing into the US a bill to cancel $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting subsidies is nearing passage in the Senate. The so called voterama has been going on since before 2 this afternoon. Republicans described the spending as wasteful. Senate passage of the spending cuts would then send the bill back to the House for final approval. The president has to sign the bill into law by midnight Friday. America's listening to Fox News.

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[Sue Guzman]

President Trump says Republicans questioning the Justice Department's closing of the Jeffrey Epstein case are falling for a hoax.

[Jared Halpern]

Fox's Jared Halpern reports Republican lawmakers and conservative influencers are demanding more information about the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation. President Trump says they're being duped.

[Ed Lawrence]

It's all been a big hoax. It's perpetrated by the Democrats and some stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans fall into the net and so they try and do the Democrats work.

[Jared Halpern]

The Justice Department has closed the investigation and says no additional documents or a supposed client list would be released. President Trump has dismissed criticism as a distraction from his administration's accomplishments. At the White House, Jared Halpern, Fox News.

[Sue Guzman]

President Trump is once again taking to social media to criticize a longtime rival, Senator Adam Schiff. The California Democrats been referred to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution related to mortgage fraud in his documents, Fox's Jackie Heinrich @ the White House, President Trump.

[Jackie Heinrich]

Posting this to Truth Social, quote, adam Schiff said that his primary residence was in Maryland to get a cheaper mortgage and rip off America when he must live in California because he was a congressman from California. Mortgage fraud is very serious and crooked. Adam Schiff, now a senator, needs to be brought to justice.

[Ed Lawrence]

I don't know about the individual charge, if that even happens, but Adam Schiff is a serious low life.

[Jackie Heinrich]

Schiff responding with this quote, since I led his first impeachment, Trump has repeatedly called for me to be arrested for treason. So in a way, I guess this is a bit of a letdown. And this baseless attempt at political retribution won't stop me from holding him accountable, not by a long shot.

[Sue Guzman]

President Trump says Coca Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in its flagship soft drink in the US as his suggestion. The switch from from high fructose corn syrup would put Coke in line with the practice in other countries, including Mexico. I'm Sue Guzman.

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