Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 12AM ET 08/27/2025 Newscast
Date: August 27, 2025
Host: Carmen Roberts, Janice Dean, Eben Brown, Granal Scott

Overview

This Fox News Hourly Update delivers concise coverage of major national and international news stories as of August 27, 2025. Highlights include agency backlash over FEMA dissent, President Trump’s calls for the death penalty in D.C., protests in Israel, legal battles in Trump’s New York lawsuit, controversy at the Pulse nightclub memorial, and a whirlwind moment in pop culture with Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

FEMA Dissenters Placed on Leave

(00:01)

• Story: FEMA takes action against employees who signed a public letter criticizing recent FEMA policy changes.
  • At least two signatories have been placed on administrative leave.
  • Unclear how many others are affected; more than 180 signed, with 141 doing so anonymously.
  • Other agencies face similar dissent: About 140 EPA employees placed on leave for opposition letters.
• Quote:
  “The agency takes action against some employees who signed a public letter criticizing FEMA policy changes they say will weaken disaster response.” – Carmen Roberts (00:01)
• Agency Response:
  • FEMA states the administrative leave is not disciplinary.
• Context:
  • Raises concerns about retaliation for whistleblowing in federal agencies.
• Related:
  • NIH, EPA have seen similar actions against dissenters.

President Trump Calls for Death Penalty in D.C. Murder Cases

(00:57)

• Announcement: President Trump, at a Cabinet meeting, says he wants capital punishment for murder cases within the nation’s capital.
• Quote:
  “President Trump says he wants the death penalty for murder in D.C. anybody murders something in the Capitol, capital punishment, capital capital punishment.” – Carmen Roberts (00:45)
• Policy Rationale:
  “The president says the death penalty will serve as a strong deterrent.” – Eben Brown (00:57)
• Process Note:
  “Getting a death sentence, though, in a D.C. murder case would still require a jury to agree to it.” – Carmen Roberts (01:08)
• Federal Law Enforcement:
  • President highlights federal surge of police in D.C.

Protests in Israel over Gaza War and Hostage Crisis

(01:08)

• Event: Large protests in Israel demanding an end to the Gaza war and return of hostages.
• Israeli Response:
  • Government remains focused on defeating Hamas and rejects further piecemeal deals.
• Quote:
  “Israeli government spokesman David Mentzer says no more piecemeal deals.” – Janice Dean (01:25) “There is simply no explanation that would be justifiable of why Hamas should hold even one of our hostages, let alone 50, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.” – Granal Scott quoting Mentzer (01:29-01:43)

SpaceX Starship Launch Success

(01:43)

• News: After two previous scrubs, SpaceX’s mega Starship completed a successful liftoff and splashdown.
• Memorable Moment:
  “Three, two, one... completed it and splashed down as planned.” – Carmen Roberts (01:43)

Trump Appeals Corporate Ban in New York

(02:30)

• Legal Update: President Trump petitions to overturn bans preventing him and his sons from corporate leadership in New York, following the state attorney general’s lawsuit.
  • Suit involved allegations of falsifying net worth.
  • Company barred from bank loans in New York, with an independent monitor installed.
  • A $500 million civil penalty was recently dismissed.
• Quote:
  “The president’s lawyers filed a notice with the New York State Court of Appeals asking that the decision banning him and his eldest sons from serving in corporate leadership be overturned.” – Granal Scott (02:36)

Pulse Nightclub Memorial and Rainbow Crosswalk Controversy

(03:17)

• Incident: Orlando police closed the street outside the former Pulse Nightclub after a suspicious UPS package was delivered; it was later just colored chalk.
• Context:
  • Pulse memorial has seen ongoing activism after the state painted over a rainbow crosswalk.
  • The nightclub was site of a 2016 mass shooting and serves the LGBTQ community.
• Quote: “People have been using chalk to decorate the street as a form of protest ever since the state painted over a rainbow colored crosswalk near the nightclub site.” – Eben Brown (03:24)

Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Engagement Breaks Social Media Records

(03:58)

• Event: Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce announce their engagement; viral social media impact.
• Hosts’ Reactions:
  “Oh my God, I feel so parasocial right now. Ridiculous.” – Carmen Roberts (03:58)
  “Like, I’m literally like sweating.” – Janice Dean (04:05)
• Statistical Impact:
  “Meta says the couple’s social media post made pop culture history, breaking the record for the most repost on Instagram: 1 million in less than 6 hours. That post also got more than 14 million likes in the first hour.” – Carmen Roberts (04:06–04:20)

Memorable Quotes

• Carmen Roberts (00:01): “The agency takes action against some employees who signed a public letter criticizing FEMA policy changes they say will weaken disaster response.”
• Eben Brown (00:57): “The president says the death penalty will serve as a strong deterrent.”
• Janice Dean (01:25): “Israeli government spokesman David Mentzer says no more piecemeal deals.”
• Granal Scott (01:29): “There is simply no explanation that would be justifiable of why Hamas should hold even one of our hostages, let alone 50, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.”
• Carmen Roberts (03:58): “Oh my God, I feel so parasocial right now. Ridiculous.”
• Janice Dean (04:05): “Like, I’m literally like sweating.”
• Carmen Roberts (04:06): “Meta says the couple’s social media post made pop culture history, breaking the record for the most repost on Instagram 1 million in less than 6 hours.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:01 — FEMA employees placed on administrative leave for dissent
• 00:45 — President Trump proposes death penalty for D.C. murders
• 01:08 — Israel protests and government response on war and hostage crisis
• 01:43 — SpaceX Starship’s successful launch and splashdown
• 02:30 — Trump’s appeal to overturn New York corporate ban
• 03:17 — Pulse nightclub memorial street closure and rainbow crosswalk protest
• 03:58 — Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce break social media records with engagement

Tone & Style

The episode maintains a brisk, fact-oriented tone with periodic direct quotes and lively pop culture commentary. Hosts alternate between reporting hard news and reacting colloquially to viral trends, keeping the broadcast informative but accessible.