Fox News Hourly Update: 12AM ET 10/04/2025 – Episode Summary

Date: October 4, 2025
Host: Debra Valentine (with reporting by Kristen Goodwin, Kevin Cork, Chad Pergram, and Lisa Brady)
Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Theme: Top U.S. and global news stories—focus on Middle East hostage negotiations, high-profile sentencing, a government shutdown, and a major lawsuit dismissal.

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode delivers rapid-fire reports on critical overnight news events, providing updates on Middle East peace talks, U.S. legal developments, ongoing Congressional impasse over government funding, and a major court ruling on funding for Hamas. The tone is urgent and informative, touching on high-stakes international diplomacy, domestic justice, and political gridlock.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hostage Release Deal in the Middle East

(00:03 – 00:36)

• President Trump: Optimistic announcement regarding Hamas agreeing to free all remaining hostages in Gaza.

• Accompanied by a White House video posted to Truth Social where Trump presses for fair treatment in negotiations.

• Trump credits “tremendous help” from unified international parties, insists the parties are close to peace.

• Kristen Goodwin: Outlines the conditions: Hamas will release the hostages if “field conditions” for the exchange are met, expressing willingness to negotiate via mediators.

• Trump stresses urgency in stopping the bombing to ensure hostages’ safe release.

  “We were given a tremendous amount of help. Everybody was unified in wanting this war to end and seeing peace in the Middle East. And we're very close to achieving that.”
  — President Trump [00:25]

  “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza so that we can get the hostages out safely and quickly.”
  — Summarized by Kristen Goodwin [00:36]

2. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Sentenced to Prison

(00:56 – 01:39)

• Kevin Cork: Reports from Manhattan federal court.
• Judge Aaron Subramanian sentences Sean Diddy Combs to 50 months (over four years) in prison for transporting women for sex marathons and prostitution.
• Judge expresses concern about possible recidivism:

  “The court is not assured that if released, these crimes would not be committed again.” — Judge Aaron Subramanian [01:02]

• Prosecutors sought 11 years; defense requested 14 months. Actual sentence: just over four years, $500,000 cash fine, and five years supervised release.
• Combs apologized to victims, mother, and children—calls his actions “disgusting.”
• Brief mention: Nicholas Rosky, attempted assassin of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, receives 8 years despite prosecutors wanting 30.

3. Government Shutdown Continues

(02:31 – 03:26)

• Chad Pergram: Live from Capitol Hill.

• Senate Democrats block Republican House spending bill, making government shutdown likely to continue through the weekend and possibly into next week.

• A procedural vote (“test vote to break a filibuster”) fails; 54 yeas, 43 nays, 60 needed to proceed.

• Notable crossovers mentioned: Angus King (I-ME), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and John Fetterman (D-PA) support the bill but acknowledge stalemate.

• Democrats demand extension for expiring Obamacare tax credits.

  “The government is going to remain closed over the weekend and probably at least into early next week. In fact, it seems as though both sides are hardening their positions.”
  — Chad Pergram [02:41]

• Debra Valentine: Notes key Democratic demand for Obamacare tax credit extension.

4. Hamas Funding Lawsuit Dismissed

(03:26 – 04:15)

• Lisa Brady: Federal judge dismisses lawsuit from families of October 7 attack victims against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

• Plaintiffs accused UNRWA of funneling over $1 billion to Hamas, aiding terrorism and weapons storage in schools/medical centers.

• Judge upholds UN immunity; calls by UNRWA lawyers that claims were “absurd.”

• Background: Several nations, including U.S., cut off UNRWA funding after Israel alleged staff’s involvement in attacks.

  “Lawyers for UNRWA called the claims absurd, also arguing immunity from the lawsuit as part of the UN. And a federal judge in New York agreed, dismissing it.”
  — Lisa Brady [04:07]

5. President Trump Reverses NY Security Funding Cuts

(04:15 – 04:28)

• Debra Valentine: Reports Trump personally reversed $187 million in law enforcement and counterterrorism funding cuts in New York previously made under his administration.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “We were given a tremendous amount of help. Everybody was unified in wanting this war to end and seeing peace in the Middle East…” — President Trump [00:25]
• “The court is not assured that if released, these crimes would not be committed again.” — Judge Aaron Subramanian [01:02]
• “The government is going to remain closed over the weekend and probably at least into early next week ... both sides are hardening their positions.” — Chad Pergram [02:41]
• “Lawyers for UNRWA called the claims absurd … a federal judge in New York agreed, dismissing it.” — Lisa Brady [04:07]

Key Timestamps

• 00:03–00:36: Middle East Hostage Deal; President Trump’s Remarks
• 00:56–01:39: Diddy Sentenced; Rosky Sentencing
• 02:31–03:26: Government Shutdown Stalemate; Capitol Hill Update
• 03:36–04:15: Hamas/UNRWA Lawsuit Dismissal
• 04:15–04:28: Trump’s Law Enforcement Funding Announcement

This episode delivers breaking news updates with direct quotes and important political, legal, and international developments—in a brisk, matter-of-fact Fox News style. All major segments are covered with primary statements from key figures and succinct background.