12AM ET 09/20/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 12AM ET, September 20, 2025

Main Theme / Purpose

This newscast covers major breaking news from the U.S. and global arenas, focusing on recent anti-drug military actions, an impending government shutdown, developments in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination, ongoing federal prosecution related to an attempted presidential assassination, and updates on U.S.-China diplomatic relations.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Military Boat Strikes on Suspected Drug Smugglers

• Summary: President Trump announced another fatal strike against a vessel linked to a terrorist organization and illicit narcotics trafficking.
• Details:
  • The strike occurred in the U.S. Southern Command’s jurisdiction (South & Central America, Caribbean).
  • At least three men on board were killed; no U.S. forces were harmed.
  • This follows previous strikes on boats from Venezuela in recent weeks, with similar lethal outcomes.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Debra Valentine [00:03]: “President Trump says the US Military carried out another fatal strike against an alleged drug smuggling vessel.”
  • Kristen Goodwin [00:13]: “The president not sharing specific details about the exact location, but posting the lethal kinetic strike took place in the U.S. southern Command's area of responsibility.”

2. Looming U.S. Government Shutdown & Congressional Standoff

• Summary: There is an ongoing impasse in Congress over passing a spending bill, with a shutdown possible as of October 1.
• Details:
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune called for bipartisan cooperation following the congressional recess.
  • The conflict centers around health care funding cuts embedded in President Trump’s proposed legislation.
  • Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, threaten a shutdown unless those cuts are restored and have accused Republicans of refusing to negotiate.
• Notable Quotes:
  • John Thune (via Jason Chaffetz) [01:11]: “All it takes is a handful of Democrats to join the Republicans in keeping the government open and funded...”
  • Debra Valentine [01:27]: “Senate Democrats, meanwhile, are threatening to shut the government down unless health care funding cuts contained in the president's one big beautiful bill are actually restored.”
  • Chuck Schumer (via Debra Valentine paraphrase) [01:47]: “The theater must end. … Democrats will not vote for any resolution that does not restore health care funding cuts by President Trump and Republicans.”

3. Congressional Resolution Honoring Charlie Kirk

• Summary: The House passed a resolution honoring Charlie Kirk and condemning his assassination, but it was not unanimously supported.
• Details:
  • Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and leading Democrats voted yes; 58 Democrats voted no, drawing fire from Republicans.
  • The division reflected concerns about political discourse and the ability for open debate.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Jason Chaffetz [03:26]: “It's a shame that that's where their party has moved. It's not where America is. I mean, my gosh, we've seen such an outpouring of love for Charlie... the idea that we should... debate freely even when we disagree.”

4. Trial of Ryan Ruth – Alleged Attempted Assassination of President Trump

• Summary: Prosecutors have rested their case against Ryan Ruth for allegedly attempting to assassinate President Trump, presenting substantial evidence.
• Details:
  • Thirty-eight witnesses testified, including law enforcement and Ruth’s former associates.
  • Evidence presented includes Secret Service radio calls and surveillance showing Ruth buying a prepaid phone under a fake name.
  • Ruth is expected to begin his defense soon, intending to call three witnesses.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Dana Marie McNichol [03:59]: “It's been a busy week for prosecutors who laid out a mountain of evidence they say connects Ryan Roof Truth to the sniper's nest at President Trump's golf course...”
  • Debra Valentine [04:17]: “Style rifle.” (between coverage of evidence and court proceedings)
  • Dana Marie McNichol [04:18]: “Some testimony highlights include an AT&T employee who testified Ruth paid cash for for a prepaid line under a fake name, all captured on surveillance footage.”

5. U.S.-China Diplomacy and TikTok Deal

• Summary: President Trump plans diplomatic meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, amid ongoing negotiations over the TikTok social media app’s U.S. operations.
• Details:
  • Trump and Xi held a lengthy phone call, reportedly making progress on TikTok’s approval in the U.S.
  • A summit is scheduled next month in South Korea, with Trump also planning a visit to China next year.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Debra Valentine [04:38]: “President Trump says he'll meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping at a regional summit next month in South Korea. He will also visit China early next year. Trump and Xi had a lengthy phone call today. In a Truth Social post, Trump noted the leaders made progress on the approval of the TikTok deal...”

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Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• “We've seen such an outpouring of love for Charlie, what he represented, the idea that we should ... debate freely even when we disagree.” – Jason Chaffetz [03:26]
• “Democrats will not vote for any resolution that does not restore health care funding cuts by President Trump and Republicans.” – Debra Valentine [01:49, paraphrasing Schumer]
• “Prosecutors made their way through 38 witnesses, a mixture of Secret Service, FBI agents and weapon experts, as well as Rue's former employees.” – Dana Marie McNichol [04:18]

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Important Timestamps

• [00:03] US military strike against drug traffickers
• [00:53] Government shutdown looming and Senate leadership remarks
• [01:27] Democratic demands regarding healthcare funding
• [03:10] Congressional resolution to honor Charlie Kirk
• [03:40] Legal update: Attempted assassination trial of President Trump
• [04:38] Trump-Xi Jinping call and TikTok negotiations

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Tone and Language

• The episode took a serious and urgent tone, reflecting on sensitive matters (military actions, political standoffs, national security events, and diplomatic talks).
• Reporting remained concise, direct, and factual, occasionally incorporating the rhetoric of politicians and officials in their own words.
• The program maintained a brisk pace, moving quickly between segments to deliver a comprehensive update.

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Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

Another boat strike. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. President Trump says the US Military carried out another fatal strike against an alleged drug smuggling vessel.

[Kristen Goodwin]

President Trump taking to Truth Social to say on his orders, US Forces carried out a strike targeting a ship affiliated with a designated terrorist organization found to be trafficking illicit narcotics, killing at least three men on board. The president not sharing specific details about the exact location, but posting the lethal kinetic strike took place in the U.S. southern Command's area of responsibility, a region that encompasses south and Central America and the Caribbean. The president went on to say no U.S. forces were harmed. Earlier this week, he announced a U.S. strike on a boat allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, killing three on board. Another boat from Venezuela was hit by the US two weeks ago, killing 11. Kristen Goodwin, Fox News.

[Debra Valentine]

Meanwhile, a government shutdown is looming as of October 1, unless Congress passes a spending bill. Senate Majority leader is John Thune Thune calling for Democratic support upon the return of Congress following next week's recess.

[Jason Chaffetz]

All it takes is a handful of Democrats to join the Republicans in keeping the government open and funded and to ensure that we have a chance to get the appropriations process completed in the way in which it was intended in the first place.

[Debra Valentine]

Senate Democrats, meanwhile, are threatening to shut the government down unless health care funding cuts contained in the president's one big beautiful bill are actually restored. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, claiming Republicans are refusing to talk. The theater must end.

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Let's sit down and negotiate, he says.

[Debra Valentine]

Democrats will not vote for any resolution that does not restore health care funding cuts by President Trump and Republicans. America's listening to Fox News.

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[Debra Valentine]

The house has passed a resolution to honor the late Charlie Kirk and condemn his assassination. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other top Democrats voted yes, but 58 Democrats voted no, drawing condemnation from some Republicans.

[Jason Chaffetz]

It's a shame that that's where their party has moved. It's not where America is. I mean, my gosh, we've seen such an outpouring of love for Charlie, what he represented, the idea that we should all we should be able to debate freely even when we disagree.

[Debra Valentine]

Louisiana GOP Congressman Steve Scalise, who survived the congressional baseball shooting in 2017. Prosecutors have rested their case against Ryan Ruth. He's on trial for allegedly attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump. Fox's Dana Marie McNichol has more from Fort Pierce, Florida.

[Dana Marie McNichol]

It's been a busy week for prosecutors who laid out a mountain of evidence they say connects Ryan Roof Truth to the sniper's nest at President Trump's golf course, including radio calls from Secret Service agents.

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Shots fired, shots fired, shots fired, individual.

[Debra Valentine]

Style rifle.

[Dana Marie McNichol]

Prosecutors made their way through 38 witnesses, a mixture of Secret Service, FBI agents and weapon experts, as well as Rue's former employees. Some testimony highlights include an AT&T employee who testified Ruth paid cash for for a prepaid line under a fake name, all captured on surveillance footage.

[Debra Valentine]

Ruth is expected to begin his own defense on Monday. He plans to call three witnesses. President Trump says he'll meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping at a regional summit next month in South Korea. He will also visit China early next year. Trump and Xi had a lengthy phone call today. In a Truth Social post, Trump noted the leaders made progress on the approval of the TikTok deal to allow the popular social media app to keep operating in the U.S. i'm Deborah Valentine.

[Jason Chaffetz]

This is, this is Jason Chaffetz from the Jason in the House podcast. Join me every Monday to dive deeper into the latest political headlines and chat with remarkable guests. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you download podcasts.