Fox News Hourly Update – 12PM ET 08/19/2025

Main Theme:
This newscast covers a rapidly shifting global political landscape, significant U.S. domestic policy debates, urgent safety concerns for American families, and major sports and weather updates. The episode delivers fast-paced reports on President Trump’s Ukraine peace efforts, federal pressure on sanctuary cities, Meta’s AI controversy involving minors, Hurricane Erin, and the record-breaking sale of the Boston Celtics.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. President Trump’s Push for a Ukraine-Russia Peace Deal

• Breakthrough Hopes:
  President Trump expresses hope for a breakthrough in ending the war in Ukraine after hosting major diplomatic meetings.
  • Quote:
    “He’s hopeful for a breakthrough.” – Lisa Brady [00:02]
• NATO Membership Off the Table:
  Trump reveals that a peace agreement would offer Ukraine robust security guarantees but keep it out of NATO.
  • Quote:
    “Ukraine will get robust security guarantees. They’re not going to be a part of NATO, but we’ve got the European nations and they’ll front loaded.” – President Trump [00:14–00:18]
• On Russia and Putin:
  Trump downplays Russian opposition and signals leaders’ fatigue with the war, hinting at upcoming developments.
  • Quote:
    “I think Putin is tired of it. I think they’re all tired, but you never know. We’re going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks, that I can tell you.” – President Trump [00:29]
• Arranging Critical Meetings:
  Trump has phoned Putin to begin arranging a potential meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky, possibly followed by a trilateral summit.
  • Quote:
    “The president says if a Putin Zelensky meeting works out, a trilateral with him could follow.” – Jared Halpern [00:49]

2. Federal Pressure on Sanctuary Cities

• DOJ Crackdown:
  Over 30 sanctuary cities, including Boston, face a deadline to justify or adjust policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
  • Quote:
    “The Justice Department has given more than 30 so called sanctuary cities until today to outline their plans to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.” – Tony J [01:02]
• Boston’s Response:
  Mayor Michelle Wu criticizes federal funding threats, highlighting city efforts to support residents despite federal cutbacks.
  • Quote:
    “While you are cutting health care and food assistance for our families, Boston has launched new coalitions to connect residents to fresh food, stable housing and job training to build healthy, long lives.” – Boston Mayor Michelle Wu [01:22]
• Executive Order:
  Wu issued a June executive order asking ICE to provide arrest information, signaling a nuanced approach to city–federal cooperation.
• Federal Message:
  Attorney General Pam Bondi reiterates the administration’s intent to enforce safety if localities do not.
  • Quote:
    “If cities and states won’t keep citizens safe, the president will.” – Pam Bondi paraphrased, Lisa Brady [01:42]

3. U.S. Trade Policy Update

• Tariff Expansion:
  The Commerce Department adds hundreds of categories of derivative products to steel and aluminum tariffs, escalating trade protections on manufactured goods.
  • Quote:
    “The president’s steel and aluminum tariffs will now apply to many more things.” – Lisa Brady [01:42]

4. Meta’s AI Chatbot Scandal and Congressional Reaction

• Policy Breach:
  Internal Meta documents reveal that romantic or “flirtatious” conversations between its AI chatbot and minors as young as 13 were permitted, triggering bipartisan outrage.
  • Quote:
    “An internal policy document reviewed by Reuters revealed that romantic or flirtatious conversations were allowed with minors.” – Jessica Rosenthal [02:20]
• Congressional Calls for Investigation:
  Missouri Senator Josh Hawley demands an immediate investigation, urging Meta to preserve all records.
  • Quote:
    “This is grounds for an immediate Congressional investigation.” – Jessica Rosenthal (paraphrasing Hawley) [02:36]
  • Senator Brian Schatz calls the policy “disgusting and evil,” expressing disbelief that it was approved at multiple levels.
  • Quote:
    “What Meta allowed is disgusting and evil… my head is exploding knowing that multiple people approved this.” – Brian Schatz, via Jessica Rosenthal [02:49]

5. Hurricane Erin Emergency

• Weather Alert:
  Parts of North Carolina declare a state of emergency as Hurricane Erin skirts the U.S. coast, threatening dangerous surf and rip currents despite not anticipating landfall.
  • Quote:
    “Not expected to make a U.S. landfall but will threaten storm surge and life-threatening rip currents as it moves up and away from the East Coast.” – Lisa Brady [03:03]
• Official Watches and Warnings:
  Tropical storm warnings are in effect for North Carolina’s Outer Banks, with watches extending north to Virginia.

6. Record-Breaking Boston Celtics Sale

• Historic NBA Franchise Deal:
  The Boston Celtics’ majority stake is sold for $6.1 billion to a group led by Bill Chisholm—marking the highest price ever paid for a North American sports franchise.
  • Quote:
    “The valuation of this sale was $6.1 billion, an increase of nearly 1,600%… The most ever paid for a North American pro sports franchise.” – Sports Reporter [03:22]
• Ownership Transition:
  Chisholm’s group takes over 51% now, full ownership by 2028. The Celtics had major success under the previous regime, including four NBA Finals appearances and two titles in 23 years.

7. Financial Market Snapshot

• Stock Market Update:
  The Dow is up 10 points, reaching a new high earlier in the day.
  • Quote:
    “Stocks are mixed. The Dow’s up 10 points, hitting a new high earlier.” – Jared Mack [04:04]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump on Ukraine and Putin:
  “We’re going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks, that I can tell you.” [00:29]
• Mayor Michelle Wu directly addressing DOJ funding threats:
  “While you are cutting health care and food assistance for our families, Boston has launched new coalitions…” [01:22]
• Senator Brian Schatz (via X, paraphrased):
  “What Meta allowed is disgusting and evil… my head is exploding…” [02:49]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Ukraine Peace Efforts & NATO Update: 00:02 – 00:49
• Sanctuary Cities DOJ Ultimatum & Boston’s Response: 01:02 – 01:42
• Tariff Expansion Announcement: 01:42
• Meta AI Chatbot – Congressional Outrage: 02:15 – 03:03
• Hurricane Erin State of Emergency: 03:03 – 03:22
• Boston Celtics Sale Coverage: 03:22 – 04:04
• Stock Market Brief: 04:04 – 04:10

This episode offers a brisk, fact-driven update on vital national and world events with a focus on political maneuvering, local and federal policy standoffs, child tech safety, severe weather threats, and headline-making business in sports.