2AM ET 08/20/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 2AM ET, August 20, 2025

Host: FOX News Podcasts (Carmen Roberts, various correspondents)
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of major national news, including weather emergencies, political investigations, border updates, business moves, and significant sports news.

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Key News and Discussion Points

1. Hurricane Aaron Approaches the US East Coast

• Summary: Hurricane Aaron is intensifying as it moves past the Bahamas towards the US East Coast. It is not projected to make landfall, but will bring hazardous beach conditions.
• Details:
  • Dangerous waves and rip currents are expected on the East Coast through Thursday.
  • Outer Banks in North Carolina are seeing 12-foot waves, with evacuations underway.
• Notable Quote:
  • Mike Seidel (FOX Meteorologist, North Carolina):

    “We're forecasting wave heights here in the surf zone, 15 to 20ft. Because of that, that mandatory evacuation kicked in for residents. Cars and vans and trucks evacuating, all the traffic heading north out of these towns like Rodanthe and Buxton and areas like Frisco.” [00:27]

• Timestamps:
  • Hurricane Aaron update: [00:02]–[00:42]

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2. DOJ Investigates D.C. Crime Statistic Manipulation

• Summary: The Justice Department is investigating whether D.C. officials distorted crime statistics, reporting a 26% drop from the previous year.
• Details:
  • Allegations arise that the numbers were manipulated to create a “false illusion of safety.”
  • A police commander was placed on leave amid the investigation.
• Notable Quote:
  • FOX News (on Trump’s statement):

    “President Trump posted about the allegations of number tampering on Monday, writing it was done, quote, to create a false illusion of safety.” [00:57]

• Timestamps:
  • DOJ investigation coverage: [00:42]–[01:16]

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3. US-Ukraine Security Guarantee Talks

• Summary: The White House is coordinating security guarantees for Ukraine to facilitate peace talks with Russia. President Trump asserts these will not include US troops, though European countries may consider deployment.
• Details:
  • The plan is seen as a prelude to renewed negotiations with Russia.
  • The “package” is designed as support that stops short of direct US military involvement.
• Notable Quote:
  • White House official (on European involvement):

    “When it comes to security, they're willing to put people on the ground. We're willing to help them with things, especially probably if you talk about Bayer because there's nobody has the kind of stuff we have.” [01:36]

• Timestamps:
  • Ukraine security package: [01:16]–[01:46]

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4. Southern Border Wall: New Look and Apprehension Stats

• Summary: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announces a new initiative to paint the southern border wall black to deter climbers.
• Details:
  • The black paint absorbs more heat, making the wall harder to climb during high temperatures.
  • Border Patrol reports a drastic reduction in daily apprehensions compared to 2023.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Kristi Noem:

    “We have the most secure US border that we've ever had in the history of this nation.” [03:24] “President specifically recognized that black gets hotter in this weather and in this heat and in the sun and that when you touch something that's hot during these kinds of temperatures, it's very difficult to climb it.” [03:32]

  • El Paso Sector Chief:

    “Our seven day apprehension average is now 41 people a day and he compared that to 2023 when he said they’d apprehended 2,300 people in one day.” [03:45]

• Timestamps:
  • Border wall updates: [03:09]–[03:59]

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5. Elon Musk Pauses Political Party Launch

• Summary: The Wall Street Journal reports Elon Musk is holding off on launching a new political party over concerns about alienating powerful Republicans.
• Details:
  • No direct quotes; story is characterized as a strategic reconsideration by Musk.
• Timestamps:
  • Musk/party update: [03:59]–[04:11]

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6. Boston Celtics Sold for Record-Breaking $6.1 Billion

• Summary: The NBA’s Boston Celtics are sold to a group led by Bill Chisholm, marking the highest price ever for a North American sports franchise.
• Details:
  • The sale grants 51% ownership now; the remainder in 2028.
  • The franchise’s value has increased over 1,600% since 2002.
• Notable Quote:
  • Jared Max (FOX News):

    “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. The sale gives Bill Chisholm’s group 51% ownership in the Celtics in 2028. They'll get the whole team in 23 years.” [04:11]

• Timestamps:
  • Celtics sale segment: [04:11]–[04:56]

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7. Market Update

• Summary: Tech stocks fall sharply, while the Dow rises slightly.
• Details:
  • Dow: +10 points; NASDAQ: –315 points.
• Timestamps:
  • Market report: [04:56]

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Hurricane Aaron evacuation:
  “Cars and vans and trucks evacuating, all the traffic heading north out of these towns like Rodanthe and Buxton and areas like Frisco.” — Mike Seidel [00:27]

• On D.C. crime stats:
  “It was done, quote, to create a false illusion of safety.” — Read from Trump’s statement [00:57]

• On border wall paint:
  “President specifically recognized that black gets hotter... when you touch something that's hot... it's very difficult to climb it.” — Kristi Noem [03:32]

• Celtics sale:
  “The valuation of this sale was $6.1 billion, an increase of nearly 1,600%, the most ever paid...” — Jared Max [04:11]

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Episode Flow (with Key Timestamps)

• [00:02] Hurricane Aaron update and emergency measures
• [00:42] DOJ investigates D.C. crime stats manipulation
• [01:16] U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine
• [03:09] Southern border wall new initiative and apprehension stats
• [03:59] Elon Musk suspends new political party plans
• [04:11] Boston Celtics sold for $6.1 billion
• [04:56] Market update

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This episode delivers brisk, news-driven coverage, with direct quotes from officials and correspondents, offering listeners both facts and context for each headline.

Transcript

[A]

Hurricane Aaron is getting better organized. I'm Carmen Roberts, Fox News. Erin is expected to increase its forward speed overnight as it moves past the Bahamas and towards the US East Coast. Forecasters say the storm won't make landfall, but it will cause dangerous and potentially life threatening conditions for east coast beaches. Fox meteorologist Mike Seidel is in North Carolina where the Outer Banks are already seeing 12 foot waves.

[B]

We're forecasting wave heights here in the surf zone, 15 to 20ft. Because of that, that mandatory evacuation kicked in for residents. Cars and vans and trucks evacuating all the traffic heading north out of these towns like Rodanthe and Buxton and areas like Frisco.

[A]

Aaron's expected to slam the east coast with huge waves and dangerous rip currents through Thursday. The Justice Department is investigating whether D.C. officials manipulated crime figures to make it appear that crime rates are down 26% from last year.

[B]

Members of the Trump administration and local police union dispute the data President Trump posted about the allegations of number tampering on Monday, writing it was done, quote, to create a false illusion of safety. A D.C. police commander involved in compiling numbers was reportedly put on leave earlier this year pending an investigation into changing statistics.

[A]

Fox's David Spot proving the numbers were manipulated lower would support President Trump's decision to deploy national guard troops to D.C. the White House is working on a package of security guarantees for Ukraine to help it reach a peace deal with Russia. President President Trump says those guarantees won't include sending US Troops into Ukraine, but Europeans may.

[B]

When it comes to security, they're willing to put people on the ground. We're willing to help them with things, especially probably if you talk about Bayer because there's nobody has the kind of stuff we have.

[A]

The package coming together now is a first step to a next meeting with Putin. Fox's Jackie Heinrich America's listening to FOX News.

[C]

What does the future hold for business? Ask nine experts and you'll get 10 answers. Bull market, bear market, inflation's up or down. Can someone please invent a crystal ball? Until then, over 42,000 businesses have future proofed their business with NetSuite by Oracle. The One Cloud ERP bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR into one fluid platform with one unified business management suite. There's one source of truth giving you the visibility and control you need to make quick decisions. With real time insights and forecasting, you're peering into the future with actionable data. When you're closing the books in days, not weeks, you're spending less time looking backwards and more time on what's next. Whether your company is earning millions or even hundreds of millions, NetSuite helps you respond to immediate challenges and seize your biggest opportunities. Speaking of opportunity, download the CFO's guide to AI and machine learning at netsuite.com fox the guide is free to you at netsuite.com fox netsuite.com fox.

[A]

The Trump administration plans to give the border wall along the southern border a new look.

[D]

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stood next to the border wall in El Paso, Texas with Border Patrol agents and said Wednesday marks seven months since President Trump's been in office.

[A]

We have the most secure U.S. border that we've ever had in the history of this nation.

[D]

She announced they will be painting all.

[A]

Of the Wal president specifically recognized that black gets hotter in this weather and in this heat and in the sun and that when you touch something that's hot during these kinds of temperatures, it's very difficult to climb it.

[D]

The chief of the El Paso sector said their seven day apprehension average is now 41 people a day and he compared that to 2023 when he said they'd apprehended 2300 people in one day. Jessica Rosenthal, Fox News the Wall Street.

[A]

Journal reports Elon Musk, the world's richest man, is quietly pumping the brakes on plans to start party that to avoid alienating powerful Republicans. The Boston Celtics have a new owner.

[B]

The deal had already been agreed upon and approved by the NBA Board of Governors Tuesday. Money was exchanged the sale of majority ownership of the 18 time NBA champion Boston Celtics to a group led by Bill Chisholm, finalized 23 years since an ownership group led by Wick GROSSBECK bought the NBA's most decorated champion for $360 million. 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. The sale gives Bill Chisholm's group 51% ownership in the Celtics in 2028. They'll get the whole team in 23 years. Under Wick Grossbeck, the Celtics made the playoffs 20 times. They went to the NBA Finals four times and won two championships. Jared Max, FOX NEWS and stocks ended.

[A]

Next as tech stocks slid. The Dow rose 10 points. The NASDAQ lost 315. I'm Carme Roberts. This is FOX News.

[B]

This is Jason Chaffetz from the Jason in the House podcast. Join me every Monday to dive deeper into the latest political headlines and chat with remarkable guests. Listen and follow now at foxnewspodcast. Com or wherever you download podcasts.