12AM ET 10/17/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 12AM ET 10/17/2025 Newscast Summary

Main Theme & Purpose

The episode delivers a concise round-up of major U.S. and international news stories, spanning legal, political, and economic developments. Highlights include the indictment of John Bolton, U.S.-Russia-Ukraine diplomacy, Middle East hostage updates, the ongoing government shutdown, effects of U.S-China trade tensions on Bitcoin, and Alaska's typhoon response.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. John Bolton Indictment

• Charges: Former National Security Adviser John Bolton has been indicted for allegedly storing classified documents at his home.
• Legal Defense: Bolton’s attorney, Abby Lowell—who previously represented high-profile figures—admits Bolton had classified documents, but claims these were cleared for his book’s publication.
  • Quote: “Admitting that Bolton did have classified documents... but said that those were pre cleared for the publication of his book.” —Abby Lowell ([00:18])
• Lowell asserts Bolton's innocence.

2. U.S., Russia, Ukraine Diplomacy

• Upcoming Meeting: President Trump announces plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.
• Zelensky Visit: Ukrainian President Zelensky will visit the White House to request Tomahawk missiles from President Trump.
• Key Details from Trump’s Statement:
  • Productive phone call with Putin, who thanked First Lady Melania Trump for her involvement with children.
  • U.S. high-level advisers, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and their Russian counterparts to meet next week.
  • Presidential summit between Trump and Putin to follow.
  • Quote: “President Putin thanked the first lady Melania for her involvement with children... we agreed that there will be a meeting of our high level advisers next week... President Putin and I will then meet at an agreed upon location, Budapest, Hungary to see if we can bring this inglorious war... to an end.” —Peter Doocy reporting Trump ([00:52])

3. Middle East Hostage Update

• Israel Confirms Exchange: Israel confirms two hostages turned over Wednesday are Israeli. However, only 9 of 28 hostage remains have been returned by Hamas.
• Israeli Spokesperson: Continues to demand release of remaining 19 hostages' bodies.
  • Quote: “We are demanding Hamas release the remaining hostages, the 19 hostages whose bodies are still being held inside of the Gaza Strip.” —Israeli Spokesperson ([01:45])
• U.S. Response: President Trump vows action if Hamas fails to honor the deal.

4. U.S. Government Shutdown

• Stalemate Continues: A Republican stopgap measure to reopen the government fails for the tenth time as Democrats insist on including Affordable Care Act subsidies.
• Senate Dynamics: Majority Leader John Thune says Democrats are guaranteed a vote on extending Obamacare tax credits, but it’s unclear if that will be sufficient to break the deadlock.
  • Quote: “Well, it's a question of whether or not they're willing to take yes for an answer. I mean, that's, I don't know what more we can offer them.” —Senator John Thune ([02:56])
• Tax credits are set to expire at year’s end; Senate not expected to vote again until Monday.

5. Trade War with China & Bitcoin Price Drop

• Market Reaction: Bitcoin prices plunged by $15,000 after President Trump threatened 100% tariffs on China. Investors shifted to safer assets like treasury bonds and gold.
• Ongoing Adoption: Despite volatility, corporate and municipal adoption of Bitcoin surges. New York City opens a digital assets office.
• Local Initiative: New York CTO Matthew Frazier emphasizes NYC’s commitment to fintech leadership.
  • Quote: “For the modern history, everyone sees New York City as the fintech capital of the world. And we want to ensure that we continue to maintain that space in New York.” —Matthew Frazier ([03:51])

6. Alaska Typhoon Evacuations

• Disaster Response: One of the most significant airlifts in Alaska's history is underway after a devastating typhoon strikes the southwestern coast.
• Evacuations: Hundreds relocated by helicopter, military transport, and school buses from affected coastal towns.

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Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• “President Putin thanked the first lady Melania for her involvement with children... we agreed that there will be a meeting of our high level advisers next week.” —Peter Doocy reporting Trump ([00:52])
• “We are demanding Hamas release the remaining hostages, the 19 hostages whose bodies are still being held inside of the Gaza Strip.” —Israeli Spokesperson ([01:45])
• “Well, it's a question of whether or not they're willing to take yes for an answer. I mean, that's, I don't know what more we can offer them.” —Senator John Thune ([02:56])
• “For the modern history, everyone sees New York City as the fintech capital of the world. And we want to ensure that we continue to maintain that space in New York.” —Matthew Frazier ([03:51])

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Timestamps for Segment Navigation

• [00:02] – John Bolton Indictment
• [00:37] – President Trump & Putin’s Ukraine Diplomacy
• [01:35] – Israel-Hamas Hostage Situation
• [02:32] – U.S. Government Shutdown
• [03:08] – Bitcoin/China Trade War Update
• [04:03] – Alaska Typhoon Rescue Operations

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This episode provides a fast-paced, information-dense update on top global and domestic stories, offering clarity on high-stakes diplomacy, domestic politics, market trends, and ongoing crises, consistent with the Fox News hour's succinct and straightforward tone.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

Former national security adviser indicted. I'm Sue Guzman, Fox News. John Bolton, the national security adviser from President Trump's first term turned Trump critic has been indicted for allegedly storing classified documents at his home. Fox's David Spunt reports.

[Abby Lowell]

His own attorney, Abby Lowell, who famously represented Hunter Biden, Bill Clinton, Jared Kushner in the past put out a statement a couple of weeks ago when news was swirling that this may be happening, admitting that Bolton did have classified documents, documents in his possession, but said that those were pre cleared for the publication of his book.

[Sue Guzman]

And Lowell maintaining that his client is innocent. President Trump says he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary soon for talks on the war in Ukraine after sharing what he said was a very productive phone call with him today. Fox's Peter Doocy Volodymyr Zelenskyy is going.

[Peter Doocy]

To come here to the White House and ask President Trump for Tomahawk missiles that could hit 1,000 miles into Russia. So before Zelensky comes and makes that ask in the Oval Office, President Trump phoned President Putin and these are the most important parts of the call. According to Truth Social. The president says President Putin thanked the first lady Melania for her involvement with children. He was very appreciative and said that this will continue. And then we agreed that there will be a meeting of our high level advisers next week. The United States initial meetings will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio together with various other people to be designated a meeting location is to be determined. President Putin and I will then meet at an agreed upon location, Budapest, Hungary to see if we can bring this inglorious war between Russia and Ukraine to an end.

[Sue Guzman]

Israel confirming the two hostages turned over Wednesday are Israeli. But a spokesperson for the prime Minister Shash Bedrosian says Hamas only turned over nine of the 28 hostage remains.

[Israeli Spokesperson]

We are demanding Hamas release the remaining hostages, the 19 hostages whose bodies are still being held inside of the Gaza Strip.

[Sue Guzman]

President Trump vowing action if Hamas renegs on the deal. America is listening to FOX News.

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[Sue Guzman]

The government shutdown continues. Details from Fox's Ryan Schmelz.

[Ryan Schmelz]

A Republican stopgap measure to reopen the government falls short for a 10th time as Democrats continue insisting on including Affordable Care act subsidies. Senate Majority Leader John Thune revealing he's guaranteed Senate Democrats a vote on extending the Obamacare tax credits, but it's unclear if that will be enough to get enough Democrats on board to break the Senate filibuster.

[John Thune]

Well, it's a question of whether or not they're willing to take yes for an answer. I mean, that's, I don't know what more we can offer them.

[Ryan Schmelz]

The tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year. On Capitol Hill, Ryan Schmell's FOX News.

[Sue Guzman]

The Senate not expected to vote again now until Monday. Trade war with China affecting the price of bitcoin, which is down by about $15,000 from its record less than two weeks ago. Fox Business Network's Lawrence Imonetti tells us more.

[Lauren Simonetti]

The major sell off started last Friday when President Trump threatened 100% tariffs on China. Nervous traders dumped their risky bets for the perceived safety of treasury bonds and gold. Despite the volatility, demand remains intact. Bitcoin corporate adoption hitting record highs. And cities are piling in, too. New York City becoming the first in the nation to set up an office of digital assets to find areas where bitcoin and blockchain can be used, from permitting to parking tickets. Here's its chief technology officer, Matthew Frazier.

[Matthew Frazier]

For the modern history, everyone sees New York City as the fintech capital of the world. And we want to ensure that we continue to maintain that space in New York.

[Lauren Simonetti]

LAUREN simonetti, FOX BUSINESS One of the.

[Sue Guzman]

Most significant airlifts in Alaska history is underway now following a devastating typhoon. Hundreds of people evacuated by helicopter, military transport plane and yellow school buses carrying them from coastal towns devastated by last weekend's storm. Some villages on the state's southwest coastal were inundated by the remnants of Typhoon Ha Long last weekend. I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX News.

[Will Taint]

It's will taint country. Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through [e-mail] or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show. Listen and follow the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.