2AM ET 09/26/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 2AM ET 09/26/2025 Newscast

Host: Sue Guzman (FOX News Podcasts)
Air Date: September 26, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode spotlights high-profile political developments, national security issues, and international affairs. The major themes include the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, updates on TikTok’s U.S. ownership changes, a looming government shutdown, President Trump’s diplomatic negotiations, and international crises in Israel/Palestine and Haiti.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

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1. James Comey Indictment & Reactions

Timestamps: 00:02 – 01:09

• Headline: Former FBI Director James Comey indicted by a federal grand jury on obstruction and making false statements to Congress regarding the Russia investigation.
• Comey Responds:
  • Shared emotional reaction in a video statement via Instagram.
    • Quote: “My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system. I'm innocent. So let's have a trial and keep the faith.” – James Comey [00:17]
• DOJ Reaction:
  • The Attorney General emphasized that “no one is above the law” and reinforced the DOJ’s resolve to hold people accountable for abuse of power.
    • Quote: “Today's indictment reflects this Department of Justice's commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people. We will follow the facts in this case.” – U.S. Attorney General [00:33]
• Political Context:
  • James Comey has been a longstanding adversary of President Trump, fired by him in 2017.
  • President Trump responded on Truth Social, calling the indictment “justice for America.”

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2. TikTok Deal Approved by Trump

Timestamps: 01:09 – 01:56

• Executive Order:
  • President Trump greenlights a deal placing controlling ownership of TikTok with American investors.
• National Security Focus:
  • The ownership board is tasked with protecting data and ensuring national security.
  • Quote: “It's going to be as secure as you can be because of the ownership and the people and they have a big investment. You know it's to their advantage to make sure it's good and safe.” – Donald Trump [01:32]
• Deal Details:
  • TikTok now valued at ~$14 billion.
  • Originates from law requiring a Chinese divestment for operation in the U.S.
  • Reported by Jared Halpern from the White House.

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3. Impending Government Shutdown

Timestamps: 02:31 – 03:17

• Shutdown Deadline:
  • September 30th, 2025 is the deadline for a funding agreement.
  • The White House instructs agencies to prepare for mass firings if a shutdown occurs.
• Political Divisions:
  • Florida Rep. Greg Stube (R) calls for bypassing the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster threshold to pass a Republican plan.
    • Quote: “Why should Chuck Schumer determine and negotiate what happens to the American people? We have the majority.” – Rep. Greg Stube [02:44]
  • Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer pushes for healthcare provisions needed to secure Democratic votes, causing dispute over the scope of the funding package.
  • Coverage by Ryan Schmelz.

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4. Trump-Erdogan Meeting on Russia & Turkey

Timestamps: 03:17 – 03:58

• Strategic Talks:
  • President Trump meets with Turkish President Erdogan, urging reduced support for Russia.
  • Trump open to lifting 2019 sanctions and selling American F-35s to Turkey if Turkey assists with the war in Ukraine.
    • Quote: “I think he could have a big influence if he wants to.” – Donald Trump [03:25]
• Erdogan’s Position:
  • Erdogan previously claimed at the U.N. he would “finish” the Russia-Ukraine war, but fighting continues.
    • Quote: “Said, I will finish the Russia Ukraine war. Did it end? It still goes on.” – Recep Tayyip Erdogan [03:47]
• No Immediate Sanctions Decision:
  • Ongoing tension with possible sanctions against Turkey pending.

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5. U.S. Policy on Israel's West Bank Annexation

Timestamps: 03:58 – 04:11

• Trump Position:
  • President Trump asserts he will not allow Israel to annex parts of the West Bank.
• International Context:
  • Israel proposes annexation in reaction to Western nations (UK, Canada) moving to recognize a Palestinian state.

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6. Crisis in Haiti

Timestamps: 04:11 – 04:28

• Haiti’s Plea:
  • The head of Haiti's transitional Presidential Council urgently calls for international help due to escalating gang violence.
  • Over 3,100 deaths linked to gang activity in the first half of 2025.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• James Comey (Instagram Video):

  “My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system. I'm innocent. So let's have a trial and keep the faith.” [00:17]

• Attorney General (Statement via X):

  “No one is above the law. Today's indictment reflects this Department of Justice's commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people. We will follow the facts in this case.” [00:33]

• Donald Trump (TikTok Deal):

  “It's going to be as secure as you can be because of the ownership and the people and they have a big investment. You know it's to their advantage to make sure it's good and safe.” [01:32]

• Rep. Greg Stube (Government Shutdown):

  “Why should Chuck Schumer determine and negotiate what happens to the American people? We have the majority.” [02:44]

• Donald Trump (Erdogan Meeting):

  “I think he could have a big influence if he wants to.” [03:25]

• Recep Tayyip Erdogan (UN Speech Reference):

  “Said, I will finish the Russia Ukraine war. Did it end? It still goes on.” [03:47]

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Comey Indictment & Reaction: 00:02 – 01:09
• TikTok Deal Approved: 01:09 – 01:56
• Government Shutdown Update: 02:31 – 03:17
• Trump-Erdogan Russia Talks: 03:17 – 03:58
• Israel West Bank Annexation Stance: 03:58 – 04:11
• Haiti Gang Violence Appeal: 04:11 – 04:28

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Tone and Delivery

The newscast is delivered in FOX News’ trademark brisk, authoritative style, focused on presenting factual updates with statements directly from principal sources and officials. Each segment transitions smoothly, maintaining an urgent and serious tone, fitting the gravity of the topics covered.

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For listeners who missed the episode, this summary covers all the main developments with key quotes and time markers for deeper context.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

He says he's innocent. I'm Sue Guzman. Fox News. Former FBI Director James Comey responding after he was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday on charges of obstruction and making false statements during testimony to Congress about the Russia investigation.

[James Comey]

My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system. I'm innocent. So let's have a trial and keep the faith.

[Sue Guzman]

Reaction coming in a video on Instagram. We have more from fox's David Spont.

[Attorney General (Unspecified)]

The attorney general of the United States just posting on x. No one is above the law. Today's indictment reflects this Department of Justice's commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people. We will follow the facts in this case. James Comey has been on the radar of President Trump for years. He was the FBI director when President Trump came to Washington in January 2017. And Comey was out of a job by that summer. And since then, he's been a thorn in the side of President Trump. And President Trump has mentioned Comey dozens and dozens of times since 2017.

[Sue Guzman]

And President Trump on Truth Social calling the indictment against him justice for America. Well, President Trump has approved a deal for TikTok via executive order. We have more from Fox's Jared Halpern.

[Jared Halpern]

The agreement implemented by President Trump would give a majority of TikTok's ownership to a group of American investors run by a board committed to protecting data and national security.

[Donald Trump]

It's going to be as secure as you can be because of the ownership and the people and they have a big investment. You know it's to their advantage to make sure it's good and safe.

[Jared Halpern]

Under the deal, TikTok is valued at about $14 billion. Last year Congress passed a law shutting down TikTok in the US unless its Chinese controlled owner, ByteDance, divested. At the White House, Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[Sue Guzman]

America's listening to FOX News.

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[Sue Guzman]

We're closing in on the September 30th deadline for a government shutdown if no new deal is reached. The White House telling federal agencies to plan for mass firings if a shutdown occurs. We have more from fox's Ryan Schmelz.

[Ryan Schmelz]

Florida Republican Congressman Greg Stube on The Fox Business Network's Mornings with Maria says the Senate should bypass the 60 vote threshold needed to break the filibuster on a Republican plan to keep the government open. Why should Chuck Schumer determine and negotiate what happens to the American people? We have the majority. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wants certain health care provisions attached to the package to get votes from Democrats. Republicans argue those issues should be dealt with separately. The government funding deadline is September 30th. In Washington, Ryan Schmelz, Fox News President.

[Sue Guzman]

Trump meeting with Turkish President Erdogan Thursday, urging him to end support for Russia. Fox's Jackie Heinrich @ the White House has more.

[Donald Trump]

I think he could have a big influence if he wants to.

[Jackie Heinrich]

President Trump told Turkey's leader he's open to lifting the 2019 sanctions he put in place after Turkey bought Russian missiles. And he's also willing to sell Turkey American F35 fighter jets that were blocked as a result. But first, Trump wants help ending Russia's war on Ukraine, some tension lingering after Erdogan said this at the U.N. he.

[Recep Tayyip Erdogan]

Said, I will finish the Russia Ukraine war. Did it end? It still goes on.

[Jackie Heinrich]

Despite this teaser sanctions against Turkey could be very soon. No announcements yet.

[Sue Guzman]

President Trump is vowing to not allow Israel to annex any parts of the West Bank. Israel has floated the annexation plan in response to Western countries like the UK And Canada moving to recognize a Palestinian state. And the head of Haiti's transitional Presidential Council is pleading for the world to assist his country in dealing with surging gang violence. More than 3,100 people have died from gang violence in Haiti between January and June of this year. I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX News.

[Jason Chaffetz]

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 [e-mail] or wherever you download podcasts.