Podcast Summary: Fox News Hourly Update – 12AM ET 07/25/2025

Release Date: July 25, 2025
Host: Carmen Roberts
Source: FOX News Podcasts

1. Presidential Visit to the Federal Reserve

[00:02]
Carmen Roberts opens the broadcast with President Donald Trump's recent visit to the Federal Reserve's headquarters. The President toured the facility amidst its extensive $2.5 billion renovation project.

Key Interaction with Fed Chair Jerome Powell:

• President Trump Criticizes Renovation Costs:
  President Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the increased costs of the renovation, which he claimed had escalated to $3.1 billion. This led to an awkward exchange between him and Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

• Jerome Powell’s Response:
  [00:27] Jerome Powell: "You just added in a third building is what that is."
  [00:29] Jerome Powell: "That's a third building being built."
  [00:33] Jerome Powell: "It was built five years ago."

Powell clarified that the additional building in question had been constructed five years prior and was not part of the current renovation project.

Disagreements Over Interest Rates:

• Economic Policy Tensions:
  The President and Powell have been at odds over the possibility of lowering interest rates. Powell has been cautious, preferring to monitor the effects of the President's tariffs on the economy before making any adjustments.

• President’s Inquiry About Powell’s Position:
  The President was questioned about the potential dismissal of Powell. Powell responded:
  [00:50] Jerome Powell: "I just don't think it's necessary. And I believe that he's going to do the right thing."

Term of Jerome Powell:

• [00:54] Mike Emanuel: "Jerome Powell's term as Fed chairman expires next May."

2. Legislative Developments: Rescission Bill Signed into Law

[00:58]
President Trump signed a significant rescission bill into law, which marks a considerable shift in federal funding allocations.

Details of the Rescission Bill:

• Funding Cuts:
  The bill eliminates approximately $8 billion from USAID and other foreign assistance programs. Additionally, it rescinds $1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports PBS, NPR, and local public radio and TV stations.

• Legislative Process:
  [01:04] Jared Halpern: "Republicans in the House and Senate narrowly approved the rescissions bill last week. The package rolls back about $8 billion in USAID and other foreign assistance programs and $1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting that supports PBS, NPR and local public radio and TV stations. Additional rescission requests from President Trump are expected."

Implications:

• Public Broadcasting and Foreign Aid:
  The cuts will significantly impact public broadcasting services and international aid programs, reflecting the administration's priorities and fiscal strategies.

3. Local and Legal News

Ambush Shooting in Ohio:

• [01:27] Carmen Roberts:
  Reports surfaced about a tragic incident where a police officer was fatally shot during an ambush in Ohio.

• Details:
  [01:27] Jared Halpern: "A police officer shot during an ambush this week in Ohio has died. Lorraine Police say that 35-year-old Philip Wagner died Thursday at a hospital in Cleveland."

FCC Approves Paramount and Skydance Merger:

• [01:27] Carmen Roberts:
  The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved Paramount's $8 billion merger with Skydance. This move follows Paramount's multi-billion dollar lawsuit settlement with President Trump and the subsequent firing of CBS's late-night host, Stephen Colbert.

4. Second Federal Legal Ruling

California Ammunition Background Checks Overturned:

[03:05] Carmen Roberts:
A federal appeals court has ruled that California cannot mandate background checks for purchasing ammunition.

• Court Decision:
  [03:13] Kristin Goodwin:
  "In a 2 to 1 decision, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena struck down a California law requiring gun owners to undergo background checks to buy ammunition, finding it to be unconstitutional. The law first went into effect in 2019 after voters approved a ballot initiative on the issue and state lawmakers passed a measure modifying ammunition purchasing requirements. The appeals court upheld a lower court judge's permanent injunction against enforcing it."

• Judicial Rationale:
  [03:13] Kristin Goodwin:
  "In a statement, the two judge majority writes, by subjecting Californians to background checks for all ammunition purchases, California's ammunition background check regime infringes on the fundamental right to keep and bear arms."

5. Department of Justice Lawsuit Against New York City

Sanctuary City Policies Challenged:

[03:55] Carmen Roberts:
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a lawsuit against New York City concerning its sanctuary city policies.

• DOJ’s Position:
  The administration views these policies as unconstitutional and argues that they hinder local police and correction officers from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

• Administrative Goals:
  This lawsuit aligns with the Trump administration's efforts to compel Democratic-led cities to assist in deportation initiatives.

6. Legal Action Against the Blue Angels

Seattle Woman Sues Navy’s Blue Angels Over Pet Distress:

[04:23] Carmen Roberts:
A Seattle resident, Ann Lombardi, has filed a lawsuit against the Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron.

• Reason for Lawsuit:
  [04:23] Gary Baumgarten:
  "Ann Lombardi claims her First Amendment rights were violated when she was blocked from commenting on the Angels' Instagram account about how their loud aerial maneuvers disturbed her ailing elderly cat, calling it state-sanctioned acoustical torture."

• Blue Angels' Response:
  [04:23] Gary Baumgarten:
  "The Angels, who travel from air show to air show, perform in the Seattle area every August. The Blue Angels say they don't comment on pending litigation."

7. Stock Market Update

Mixed Market Results Amid Ongoing Earnings Season:

[04:51] Carmen Roberts:
The stock market closed with mixed results, highlighting the dynamic nature of the current earnings season.

• Market Indices Performance:
  • S&P 500 and NASDAQ: Both indices reached record highs.
  • Dow Jones Industrial Average: Experienced a decline, losing 316 points.
  • Benchmark Index: Achieved its 13th record close of the year.

[04:51] Carmen Roberts:
"Stocks ended mixed with the S&P 500 and NASDAQ closing at records as earnings season rolls on. The Benchmark index posting its 13th record close this year, the Dow lost 316. I'm Carmen Roberts. This is FOX News."

Conclusion:
This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update provided a comprehensive overview of significant political developments, legal rulings, and economic indicators. From President Trump's contentious meeting with Fed Chair Jerome Powell to substantial legislative changes affecting public broadcasting and foreign aid, the broadcast covered a broad spectrum of current events. Additionally, local incidents, legal battles over gun control and sanctuary city policies, and movements within the stock market were discussed, offering listeners a well-rounded snapshot of the day's news.