Fox News Hourly Update: 12PM ET 10/18/2025

Date: October 18, 2025
Host: Angelo Bavaro (FOX News Podcasts)
Episode Theme: Fast-moving coverage of current U.S. political events, protest movements, government shutdown, controversial mailings to lawmakers, Ukraine-Russia peace talks, and presidential pardon developments.

Main Theme Overview

This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update delivers a comprehensive briefing on major national and international news events as of October 18, 2025. Key focuses include widespread "No Kings" rallies protesting President Trump, the ongoing government shutdown and legislative standoffs in D.C., disturbing mailings received by GOP lawmakers, efforts by President Trump to broker peace in Ukraine, and the commutation of George Santos' prison sentence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. “No Kings” Rallies Protest President Trump ([00:02]–[01:05])

• Rallies across the nation: Thousands participate in "No Kings" rallies across cities such as LA, D.C., Memphis, Portland, Chicago, with a major event in Times Square kicking off.
• Chants caught on air:
  • [00:18]–[00:24]
    • B: “Show me what democracy looks like.”
    • C: “This is what democracy looks like.”
• Event’s purpose: Protesters denounce President Trump’s use of “masked agents,” which the event’s website describes as actions terrorizing communities, targeting immigrants, and making arrests without warrants.
• Key political reactions:
  • Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats set to participate.
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson criticizes both the rally and Democratic participation.
  • Independent Senator Bernie Sanders voices support: The rally “upholds the values of the Constitution.”
  • Schumer urges participants to remain peaceful, noting a mostly peaceful record from June’s initial rally, with only sporadic violence and arrests.

2. Government Shutdown & Legislative Deadlock ([01:05]–[01:52])

• Shutdown continues: House Speaker Mike Johnson orders members to stay in their districts, increasing pressure on Senator Schumer.
• Senate actions: The Senate is preparing for its 11th vote on the House-passed “clean continuing resolution” at 5:30 pm Monday.
• Inter-chamber tension: If the Senate approves it, Johnson will have to recall the House for a vote.
• Escalating rhetoric: Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries condemns White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt for inflammatory language:
  • Levitt called the Democratic Party “Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens and violent criminals.” ([01:46])
    • Quote: “... Democratic Party is made up of, quote, Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens and violent criminals.”
    • Attribution: Caroline Levitt ([01:46])

3. Threatening Mailings Target GOP Lawmakers ([02:16]–[03:05])

• Incidents in Utah and elsewhere: Several Republican lawmakers receive altered American flags featuring the Nazi swastika.
  • Congressman Mike Kennedy’s office receives one; an intern initially missed the symbol, but staff discovered it and contacted Capitol Police.
  • Quote:
    • H: “It’s a corrupted American flag with the Nazi swastika right in the middle of this flag. And of course, we not only immediately took them down from the desk and we … I took a picture myself and we reported that to Capitol Police.” ([02:41])
• Broader pattern: Other GOP congressional offices have received these mailings; the matter is now under Capitol Police investigation.

4. Trump Pushes Peace in Ukraine ([03:05]–[03:46])

• Latest on Ukraine-Russia conflict: President Trump takes a direct role in diplomacy after talks with President Zelensky.
  • Quote:
    • C: “It’ll be a great honor to get it done. And the Ukrainian people are great and the Russian people are great.” ([03:18])
• Stakes and statements:
  • Trump met with President Putin by phone for over two hours; both agreed to a summit later in Hungary.
  • Trump, on social media: Calls for “both sides to come to an agreement. Stop where they are, let both claim victory and let history decide.”

5. George Santos Sentence Commuted ([03:46]–End)

• Executive action: President Trump commutes the sentence of former Representative George Santos (NY).
  • Santos had pleaded guilty to campaign fraud and identity theft (affecting 11 individuals, including family members).
  • He was serving a 7+ year sentence but is released following the presidential order.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Protest Chants:
  • B ([00:18]): “Show me what democracy looks like.”
  • C ([00:20]): “This is what democracy looks like.”
• Senator Bernie Sanders is cited (paraphrased):
  • The rally “upholds the values of the Constitution.” ([00:40])
• Capitol Hill Tension:
  • Caroline Levitt ([01:46]): “Democratic Party is made up of, quote, Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens and violent criminals.”
• Congressman Mike Kennedy on hate mail:
  • H ([02:41]): “It’s a corrupted American flag with the Nazi swastika right in the middle of this flag…we reported that to Capitol Police.”
• President Trump on Ukraine peace plan:
  • C ([03:18]): “It’ll be a great honor to get it done. And the Ukrainian people are great and the Russian people are great.”
  • On a peace deal: “Let both claim victory and let history decide.” ([03:43])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02 — Start of protest/rally coverage
• 00:18–00:24 — Protest chants captured live
• 00:27–01:05 — Event context, political reactions, and previous protest outcomes
• 01:05–01:52 — Government shutdown updates; legislative maneuvering and rhetoric
• 02:16–03:05 — Threatening mailings to GOP lawmakers
• 03:05–03:46 — Trump’s diplomacy efforts in Ukraine
• 03:46–End — George Santos commutation news

Episode Tone and Language

The episode maintains a brisk, reportorial tone—delivering headlines with direct quotes, occasional dramatic language (especially when discussing acts deemed threatening or inflammatory rhetoric), and a clear framing of political divisions. Each story is presented with FOX News’ characteristic emphasis on immediacy and impact.

This summary covers all significant news developments from the 12PM ET, Oct 18, 2025 Fox News Newscast, highlighting direct speech, critical analysis, and the sequence of events as broadcast.