12AM ET 07/18/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update: 12AM ET 07/18/2025 Newscast Summary

Released on July 18, 2025, the "Fox News Hourly Update" delivered a comprehensive roundup of the day's most pressing issues. This summary encapsulates the key topics, discussions, insights, and conclusions presented during the newscast.

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1. Release of Jeffrey Epstein Grand Jury Files

Sue Guzman opened the newscast with a significant development in the Jeffrey Epstein case:

"[00:03] A move underway to release Epstein grand jury files."

Following weeks of intense scrutiny and backlash from both Republican and Democratic factions, President Trump has directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to petition the court for the release of all pertinent grand jury testimonies related to Epstein. This directive comes after Bondi's earlier statement dismissing rumors about the existence of Epstein's files or client lists.

Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary, clarified the administration's stance:

"[00:37] While President Trump supports transparency about accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, White House press secretary Caroline Levitt says, but he doesn't."

An unnamed Republican speaker emphasized the desire for bipartisan and media attention on the matter:

"[00:45] Unnamed Republican Speaker: Like to see Democrats and the mainstream media covering this like it's the biggest story that the American people care about."

Despite President Trump's acknowledgment of the need for transparency, Levitt asserted that he does not intend to appoint a special counsel. Instead, Trump has instructed Bondi to disclose any credible information pertaining to the case.

Jared Halpern from Fox News provided additional insights into the administration's actions surrounding the Epstein files.

2. Protests Against President Trump's Immigration and Medicaid Policies

Transitioning to domestic issues, Sue Guzman reported on the rising protests targeting President Trump's administration:

"[01:18] Sue Guzman: More protests against President Trump and the administration's mass deportation efforts."

Ryan Schmelz detailed the scale and motivations behind these demonstrations:

"[01:23] Ryan Schmelz: Protests are planned at more than 1600 locations around the country as part of the Good trouble lives on National Day of Action honoring the late congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis. Organizers are targeting the Trump administration's immigration policies and recent changes to Medicaid in the one big beautiful Bill Act."

Republicans defend their stance on immigration and Medicaid reforms, arguing that these policies are both popular among Americans and fiscally responsible:

"[01:35] Republicans have argued the immigration policies are a winning issue supported by most Americans while arguing the Medicaid reforms will strengthen the program and save the US Significant amounts of money."

Ryan Schmelz concluded this segment with insights from Capitol Hill, highlighting the political tussle over these critical issues.

3. House Debates President Trump's Rescission Package

The newscast continued with legislative developments:

"[03:08] Sue Guzman: The Republican controlled House now debating President Trump's rescission package, seeking to claw back $9 billion in spending on foreign aid and funds for public broadcasting, a vote expected overnight."

Caroline Levitt addressed the White House's perspective on the Senate-passed measure:

"[03:24] Unnamed Republican Speaker: This will help restore fiscal sanity in our country by rescinding billions in wasteful foreign aid and finally ending taxpayer funding for PBS and NPR, two media organizations that have ridiculously used federal dollars to push a partisan left-wing agenda for many years."

In stark contrast, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats unanimously opposed the rescission bill:

"[03:42] Sue Guzman: All Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, voted in lockstep against that rescissions bill."

An unnamed Democratic speaker voiced the party's frustration:

"[03:48] Unnamed Democratic Speaker: Just like with the big ugly bill, the more Americans learn about what Republicans just did in this rescission package, the more they won't like it and the more Republicans will squirm."

This segment underscored the deep partisan divide over budgetary allocations and foreign aid.

4. LAPD Arrest for Impersonating a Firefighter

Safety and law enforcement headlines featured a peculiar case:

"[03:59] Sue Guzman: A raid at a Los Angeles county home leads to the arrest of a man accused of impersonating a firefighter."

Kristen Goodwin provided detailed coverage of the incident:

"[04:06] Kristen Goodwin: The LAPD's Major Crimes Division and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives serving a search warrant at a home on the border of the Pacific Palisades and Brentwood neighborhoods. Police say they arrested a man for impersonating a firefighter, firearms violations and government fraud. One of the items reported reportedly seized was an older model fire truck registered to a phony volunteer fire department. Local and federal officials have yet to publicly share more details on when the individual allegedly impersonated a firefighter, but the home is not far from areas impacted by January's devastating Palisades fire."

The arrest raises concerns about the individual's motives and the potential risks posed to the community, especially in areas recently affected by wildfires.

5. Stephen Colbert Announces Departure from CBS

In the entertainment sector, significant news about a beloved late-night host was shared:

"[04:43] Sue Guzman: With Stephen Colbert will end a 12-year run on CBS in May 2026. CBS saying it is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop."

Sue Guzman elaborated on Colbert's announcement:

"[04:43] In late night, Colbert announcing during tonight's taping the entire show is ending as well, noting, I'm not just being replaced, he says this is all just going away."

This marks the end of an era for CBS's late-night programming, as Stephen Colbert prepares to conclude his influential tenure.

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This summary provides an overview of the major topics discussed during the "Fox News Hourly Update" aired on July 18, 2025. For those seeking detailed insights, tuning into the full newscast is recommended.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

A move underway to release Epstein grand jury files. I'm Sue Guzman, Fox News. After weeks of criticism from Trump supporters, Republicans and Democrats, President Trump says he's directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to ask a court to release all relevant grand jury testimony in the Jeffrey Epstein case. In the Post on Truth Social, the president expressed anger over the recent publicity generated in after Bondi announced there were no Jeffrey Epstein files or client lists as had been speculated earlier in the day, the president said he didn't have any plans to appoint a special counsel, as we hear from Fox's Jared Halpern.

[Caroline Levitt]

While President Trump supports transparency about accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, White House press secretary Caroline Levitt says, but he doesn't.

[Unnamed Republican Speaker]

Like to see Democrats and the mainstream media covering this like it's the biggest story that the American people care about.

[Caroline Levitt]

It's not just Democrats demanding answers. After the Justice Department concluded there was no evidence of a client list, some Republicans, Republicans and conservative influencers have called for a special counsel.

[Unnamed Republican Speaker]

The president would not recommend a special prosecutor in the Epstein case. That's how he feels.

[Caroline Levitt]

But Levitt says President Trump has directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to release any additional credible information discovered about the case. At the White House, Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[Sue Guzman]

More protests against President Trump and the administration's mass deportation efforts.

[Ryan Schmelz]

Protests are planned at more than 1600 locations around the country as part of the Good trouble lives on National Day of Action honoring the late congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis. Organizers are targeting the Trump administration's immigration policies and recent changes to Medicaid in the one big beautiful Bill Act. Republicans have argued the immigration policies are a winning issue supported by most Americans while arguing the Medicaid reforms will strengthen the program and save the US Significant amounts of money. On Capitol Hill, Ryan Schmelz, Fox News.

[Sue Guzman]

America is listening to FOX News.

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[Sue Guzman]

The Republican controlled House now debating President Trump's rescission package, seeking to claw back $9 billion in spending on foreign aid and funds for public broadcasting, a vote expected overnight. White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt weighed in today on the measure that was passed by the Senate.

[Unnamed Republican Speaker]

This will help restore fiscal sanity in our country by rescinding billions in wasteful foreign aid and finally ending taxpayer funding for PBS and npr, two media organizations that have ridiculously used federal dollars to push a partisan left wing agenda for many years.

[Sue Guzman]

All Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, voted in lockstep against that rescissions bill.

[Unnamed Democratic Speaker]

Just like with the big ugly bill, the more Americans learn about what Republicans just did in this rescission package, the more they won't like it and the more Republicans will squirm.

[Sue Guzman]

A raid at a Los Angeles county home leads to the arrest of a man accused of impersonating a firefighter.

[Kristen Goodwin]

The LAPD's Major Crimes Division and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives serving a search warrant at a home on the border of the Pacific Palisades and Brentwood neighborhoods. Police say they arrested a man for impersonating a firefighter, firearms violations and government fraud. One of the items reported reportedly seized was an older model fire truck registered to a phony volunteer fire department. Local and federal officials have yet to publicly share more details on when the individual allegedly impersonated a firefighter, but the home is not far from areas impacted by January's devastating Palisades fire. Kristen Goodwin, Fox News A Late show.

[Sue Guzman]

With Stephen Colbert will end a 12 year run on CBS in May 2026. CBS saying it is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop. In late night, Colbert announcing during tonight's taping the entire show is ending as well, noting, I'm not just being replaced, he says this is all just going away. I'm Sue Guzman.

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