Fox News Hourly Update – Detailed Summary (12PM ET, June 23, 2025)
Hosted by Fox News Radio, the 12PM ET edition of the "Fox News Hourly Update" delivered a comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing national and international issues. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed, complete with notable quotes and timestamps.
1. Escalating Tensions Between the U.S., Iran, and Israel
President’s National Security Briefing
The newscast opened with Jack Callaghan reporting on President Trump's meeting with his national security team to assess the aftermath of the recent bombings targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. The administration is closely monitoring potential threats to American interests stemming from these actions.
Potential Iranian Threats
Rich Edson highlighted the possible repercussions of the strikes, stating, "Iran could target the massive US military presence in the Middle East or disrupt shipping and global energy markets" (00:13). He emphasized the importance of maintaining stable oil prices, urging, "Everyone keep oil prices down. I'm watching. You're playing right into the hands of the enemy. Don't do it."
Israeli Response to Iranian Nuclear Threats
The update continued with the confirmation that Israel had conducted additional bombings on the Fordo nuclear site in Iran and issued warnings of continued attacks on military sites around Tehran. Isaac Herzog, the Israeli President, lauded President Trump’s actions, declaring, "Commend President Trump for his heroic and bold decision, which is a game changer for the future of the world, for the better. The Israeli people are absolutely grateful and I'm speaking on behalf of my nation." (00:48)
Iranian Missile Strikes on Israel
Amid these developments, Iran retaliated by launching additional missiles into Israeli territory, escalating the conflict further.
2. Homeland Security Alerts and Domestic Security Concerns
Warnings to Americans Abroad and At Home
Jack Callaghan reported that the State Department has advised American citizens in Qatar to shelter in place due to heightened tensions. Concurrently, Mark Meredith from Homeland Security detailed briefings to governors across the nation, warning of increased risks of violent extremist activities within the United States. He stated, "The likelihood of violent extremists in the homeland independently mobilizing to violence in response to the conflict would likely increase if Iranian leadership issued a religious ruling calling for retaliatory violence against targets in the homeland." (01:09)
3. President Trump’s NATO Diplomacy
Upcoming Trip to the Netherlands
President Trump plans to depart for the Netherlands with the objective of urging NATO allies to bolster their defense spending. Caroline Levitt, the White House Press Secretary, affirmed confidence in allies' responsiveness, commenting, "The president has been adamant and our NATO allies, to their credit, heeded the president's strong call in his first term and we expect them to do it this time around as well." (01:39)
4. Economic Indicators and Market Trends
Oil Markets and Stock Exchange Performance
The administration noted a slight decrease in oil prices following the military actions in Iran. On the stock market front, Caroline Levitt reported positive midday trading figures, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up by approximately 3 points and the Nasdaq rising by 62 points (01:47). This uptick was attributed to investor confidence amidst ongoing geopolitical developments.
5. Senate's Consideration of the "One Big Beautiful Bill"
Tax Cuts and Reconciliation Process
As the Senate deliberates on what President Trump refers to as the "one big beautiful bill," there is discussion over making certain tax cuts retroactive. Caroline Levitt explained, "We have auto loan interest as well, some of the elements that will benefit from being made retroactive to the beginning of 2025." The intent is to allow businesses and workers to benefit from these changes earlier, potentially spurring economic growth (02:25). However, Republican leadership is encountering resistance from fiscal hawks concerned about the national deficit. Additionally, the Senate parliamentarian will review the bill to ensure compliance with the Byrd rule and reconciliation requirements.
6. Health Care Updates
Reduction in Prior Authorization Requirements
Kelly Saberry from Fox Business Network reported that several major health insurers are planning to reduce the number of health care claims subject to prior authorization. This change addresses criticisms from medical professionals who argue that prior authorizations can delay necessary care (02:59).
7. Texas Vetoes Marijuana Regulation Bill
Impact on the THC Industry
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has vetoed a proposed bill that aimed to ban all products infused with marijuana’s active ingredient. Kelly Saberry highlighted that this decision would significantly hinder the growth of Texas's burgeoning THC industry, which has been expanding for over a decade (02:59).
8. Ongoing Investigation into Madeline McCann’s Disappearance
Suspect Identified and Legal Developments
In a long-standing case, police have identified a suspect in the disappearance of Madeline McCann. Therese Crowley provided details, noting that Christian Brockner, one of 600 persons of interest, may be released early from a German prison after a donor paid his $1,600 fine related to unrelated forgery and bodily harm charges. Brockner, who is serving seven years for a rape committed in Portugal and accused of sexual abuse of children in the same region, is under investigation for Madeline’s disappearance. He denies any involvement (03:26).
Madeline McCann went missing shortly before her fourth birthday from her parents' holiday resort apartment in Portugal, sparking one of the most enduring and widely followed missing persons cases.
Conclusion
The 12PM ET edition of the "Fox News Hourly Update" provided listeners with in-depth coverage of critical international tensions involving the U.S., Iran, and Israel, alongside significant domestic issues ranging from economic policies to public safety concerns. The broadcast underscored the administration's active role in addressing both global conflicts and internal challenges, reflecting the dynamic nature of current events.
