Fox News Hourly Update – 1AM ET, 12/23/2025

Host: Ted Lindner (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: December 23, 2025

Episode Overview

This hourly news update delivers a rapid roundup of major national and international headlines as of early December 23, 2025. Key stories include a U.S. Southern Command military strike against a drug boat, heightened U.S. action against Venezuelan oil tankers, a federal court ruling on Venezuelan migrants, the Trump administration’s plans to modernize the Navy, a tragic Mexican naval plane crash, new incentives for immigrants who self-deport, reactions from Presidents Trump and Clinton on newly released Epstein files, and the Powerball lottery results.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Military Strikes on Alleged Narco-Traffickers

[00:02-00:21]

• U.S. Southern Command confirmed another strike on a suspected drug boat in the Eastern Pacific on Monday night.
• One male “narco terrorist” was killed.
• Since early September, 105 suspected narco-traffickers have been killed in 29 separate strikes.

Notable quote:

• "At least 105 alleged narco traffickers have been killed in 29 known strikes since early September." (Ted Lindner, 00:11)

2. U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Over Oil Tankers

[00:21-00:57]

• The Trump administration steps up efforts to ban sanctioned oil tankers from Venezuela, intensifying pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s government.
• U.S. Coast Guard and War Department are attempting to seize a third oil tanker.
• Coast Guard special reaction teams conducted visible operations (fast-roping onto a tanker from a Navy helicopter).
• Bipartisan opposition to Maduro, but some critics of U.S. policy remain. Russia pledges full support for Maduro.

Notable quote:

• "Video from Saturday shows a Coast Guard special reaction team fast roping aboard a tanker from a US Navy helicopter." (Madison Scarpino, 00:35)

3. Federal Court Ruling on Venezuelan Migrants

[00:57-01:11]

• Judge James Boasberg ruled the Trump administration must allow court challenges for Venezuelan migrants sent to SICOP prison in El Salvador.
• Migrants must receive court hearings or be returned to the U.S.

4. Trump Administration’s Naval Modernization Plan

[01:11-01:56]

• President Trump announced plans to modernize the Navy:
  • Introduction of “Trump class” USS Defiant — battleships claimed to be 100 times more powerful than any predecessor.
  • Initially, two ships will be built; aim to expand to over two dozen.
  • Trump emphasizes lethality and speed of production.

Notable quotes:

• "President Trump announced his plans to modernize the Navy's fleet with battleships he says, that are 100 times more powerful than than any battleship ever built." (Jared Halpern, 01:16)
• "These cutting edge vessels will be some of the most lethal surface warfare ships. It will be actually the most ever built other than our submarines." (President Trump, 01:29)

5. Mexican Naval Plane Crash

[02:58-03:15]

• At least five dead after a Mexican naval plane crashes off Galveston, Texas.
• Plane was on a medical support mission; a young patient and seven others were on board (four Navy officers, four civilians including a child).

6. New DHS Incentives for Immigrants Who Self-Deport

[03:15-03:36]

• DHS increases stipend for immigrants who self-deport via the CBP Home app to $3,000 plus flight costs.
• Offer applies only if individuals leave before 2026.
• Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons clarifies that anyone caught during ICE operations is ineligible for incentives and banned from returning.

Notable quote:

• "If we're out there doing our mission and we encounter you, you're going to be arrested and lose the opportunity to not only stay in the United States, but ever come back." (Todd Lyons, 03:30)

• DHS will forgive unpaid fines for timely departures and allow future return to the U.S.

7. Release of Epstein Files – Political Reactions

[03:36-04:41]

• President Trump calls the Epstein files’ release a distraction:
  • "What this whole thing is with Epstein is a way of trying to deflect from the tremendous success that the Republican Party has." (President Trump, 03:50)
• Former President Clinton issues a rare statement:
  • "What the Department of Justice has released so far and the manner in which it did so makes one thing clear. Someone or something is being protected now." (Clinton spokespersons, 04:15)
• Files released after court order show photos of Trump, Clinton, Michael Jackson, and others with Epstein.

8. Powerball Lottery Jackpot

[04:41-04:58]

• Monday night’s Powerball jackpot reached $1.6 billion; no winning ticket.
• Winning numbers: 3, 18, 36, 41, 54 — Powerball 7.
• Jackpot will rise to $1.7 billion for Wednesday.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• "Video from Saturday shows a Coast Guard special reaction team fast roping aboard a tanker from a US Navy helicopter." (Madison Scarpino, 00:35)
• "President Trump announced his plans to modernize the Navy's fleet with battleships he says, that are 100 times more powerful than than any battleship ever built." (Jared Halpern, 01:16)
• "If we're out there doing our mission and we encounter you, you're going to be arrested and lose the opportunity to not only stay in the United States, but ever come back." (Todd Lyons, 03:30)
• "What this whole thing is with Epstein is a way of trying to deflect from the tremendous success that the Republican Party has." (President Trump, 03:50)
• "Someone or something is being protected now." (Clinton spokesman, 04:15)

Key Timestamps

• 00:02 – U.S. Southern Command strikes drug boat
• 00:21 – U.S. escalates action against Venezuelan oil tankers
• 00:57 – Judge rules on Venezuelan migrants’ rights
• 01:11 – Trump’s new battleship plan announced
• 02:58 – Mexican naval plane crash in Texas
• 03:15 – DHS announces $3,000 incentive for self-deportation
• 03:36 – Reactions to Epstein files' release
• 04:41 – Powerball jackpot draw

This episode offers a concise, fact-packed overview of top stories driving national and international headlines as of December 23, 2025. The tone is urgent and news-focused, highlighting significant U.S. policy actions, legal developments, and ongoing political controversy — all delivered in FOX News’s trademark direct style.