Fox News Hourly Update: 12AM ET 08/31/2025 – Detailed Summary

Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of headline news, anchored by Angelo Bavaro. The report focuses on major legal and political developments under President Trump’s administration, including the fate of tariffs, the shutdown of Voice of America, pushback against immigration crackdowns in Chicago, talk of renaming the Department of Defense, and ongoing violence in Ukraine following global diplomatic meetings. The tone remains urgent, direct, and characteristic of Fox News reporting.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Future of Trump’s Tariffs

Timestamps: [00:03] – [00:56]

• Background: A federal appeals court has ruled President Trump’s tariffs—central to his trade policy—illegal.
• Immediate Impact: The tariffs stay in effect until at least October 14th, as the Trump administration considers appealing to the Supreme Court.
• Legal Rationale: Alexandria Hoff explains,

  "That panel wrote the statute bestows significant authority to the president to undertake a number of actions ... But none of these actions explicitly include the power to impose tariffs, duties or the like, or the power to tax." [00:25]

• Trump’s Response:
  • Labels the court “highly partisan” and expresses confidence that “the United States of America will win in the end.”
  • Emphasizes the perceived necessity of the tariffs for national strength:

    “If these tariffs ever went away, it would be a total disaster for the country. It would make us financially weak and we have to be strong.” – Former President Trump [00:43]

2. Voice of America Shutdown

Timestamps: [00:56] – [01:49]

• Event: Reportedly, most of Voice of America (VOA) is now silent after Trump appoints Carrie Lake to shutter the organization.
• Context:
  • VOA was formed during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda.
  • Trump rebranded it “Voice of Radical America.”
• Historical Reference:

  “The news may be good or bad. We shall tell you the truth.” — Excerpt from a classic VOA broadcast [01:26]

• Recent Developments:
  • Court battles briefly revived VOA before it was used to transmit programming from One America News.
  • Ongoing court challenges to the firings remain possible.

3. Chicago Responds to Immigration Crackdown

Timestamps: [02:32] – [02:52]

• Event: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signs an executive order to thwart Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts in the city.
• Johnson’s Position:

  “He is reckless and out of control. He is the biggest threat to our democracy that we've experienced in the history of our country.” — Mayor Brandon Johnson [02:43]

• Context: Chicago is on the list of cities where Trump has considered deploying troops after already doing so in Washington, D.C.

4. Department of Defense Possible Rebranding

Timestamps: [02:52] – [03:53]

• Proposal: President Trump is floating the idea of renaming the Department of Defense back to its historical title: the Department of War.
• White House Confirmation: The plan exists but changing the name may require Congress’ approval.
• Quote from Trump:

  “So it used to be called the Department of War and it had a stronger sound. And as you know, we won World War I, we won World War II, we won everything. Now we have a Department of Defense with defenders.” – Former President Trump [03:20]

• Historical Note:
  • The Department of War was established in 1789, renamed in 1949.

5. Russian Attack on Ukraine

Timestamps: [03:53] – [04:28]

• Breaking News: A Russian aerial attack results in at least one death and dozens of injuries, including children, striking a five-story apartment building.
• Ukrainian Response: Over 500 drones and 38 missiles were reportedly neutralized.
• Context: The strike comes less than two weeks after a summit in Alaska between President Trump and Russian President Putin, and a separate meeting involving Ukrainian President Zelensky.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Tariffs and Presidential Power:

  "None of these actions explicitly include the power to impose tariffs, duties or the like, or the power to tax." – Alexandria Hoff [00:25]

• Trump on Tariffs:

  "...they know the United States of America will win in the end. If these tariffs ever went away, it would be a total disaster for the country." – President Trump [00:43]

• Classic VOA Broadcast:

  “We shall speak to you about America and the war. The news may be good or bad. We shall tell you the truth.” [01:26]

• Chicago Mayor on Trump:

  “He is reckless and out of control. He is the biggest threat to our democracy that we've experienced in the history of our country.” – Brandon Johnson [02:43]

• Trump on Department of Defense Name Change:

  “It used to be called the Department of War and it had a stronger sound... Now we have a Department of Defense with defenders.” – President Trump [03:20]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:03] — Tariffs Court Ruling & Trump Response
• [00:56] — Voice of America Shutdown
• [02:32] — Chicago’s Immigration Executive Order
• [02:52] — Department of Defense Name Change Debate
• [03:53] — Russian Aerial Attack on Ukraine
• [04:28] — End of Content

This update provides a brisk, pointed survey of the latest high-impact political news and global events as framed by Fox News Radio, giving listeners the essential facts, reactions from key figures, and a sense of the current political climate.