Fox News Hourly Update — 2AM ET Newscast (October 2, 2025)

Overview

This hourly Fox News newscast, anchored by Chris DiMaio, covers the continuing government shutdown in Washington, legislative responses, ongoing partisan disputes on Capitol Hill, crime control efforts by the Trump administration, public health initiatives, and a recent airport incident in New York. The episode vividly portrays the ongoing gridlock in Congress, attempts at reform, and evolving policies under the Trump administration.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown Stalemate

• Capitol Hill remains in gridlock. The government is shut down, with lawmakers yet to agree on a plan for reopening.
  • "The doors in D.C. remain closed. The government remains shut down. With lawmakers still dug in on a plan to reopen the government." — Chris DiMaio [00:02]
• Congress out for Yom Kippur.
  • "Congress will be out of session until Friday for the Yom Kippur holiday. Senators like Republican Bernie Marino remain frustrated the government is still shut down." — Ryan Schmell [00:11]
• Deep frustration among senators.
  • "This is just a stupid way to run government." — Unknown Fox News Reporter (paraphrasing Sen. Marino) [00:19-00:21]
• Partisan divide stalling progress:
  • Republicans are pushing a stopgap funding bill until November.
  • Democrats insist on extending Affordable Care Act tax subsidies.
  • "Democrats... want an extension of Affordable Care act tax subsidies as part of any agreement to reopen the government and are calling on Republicans to negotiate." — Ryan Schmell [00:35]
• Congressman Dusty Johnson's legislative proposal:
  • Johnson (R-SD) and Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) propose automatic funding extensions to avoid future shutdowns.
  • "If the politicians don't have an agreement by the deadline, automatically you extend the previous year's funding for a little while to be able to help provide a little more time for an agreement to be set." — Rep. Dusty Johnson [00:58]
  • The bill imposes no penalties except withholding congressional pay during shutdowns.
  • "He says if there are future shutdowns, members of Congress shouldn't get a paycheck during one." — Jessica Rosenthal reporting [01:24]
  • "There is nothing disastrous about having October's funding be the same as September was." — Rep. Dusty Johnson [01:17]
• Blame game over ‘health care for illegal immigrants’:
  • Republican leadership accuses Democrats of pushing for free health care for undocumented immigrants.
  • "Johnson says Democrats own the shutdown for trying to give free health care to illegal immigrants." — Chris DiMaio [01:31]
  • Republican Senator (possibly Bernie Marino): "They're trying to take out in its entirety the reforms that we put into the big beautiful bill pertaining to health. And why is that so important? Because what we did was we strengthened the Medicaid program by making sure that ineligible recipients are not on the rolls." [01:36]
  • Democrats categorically deny these claims.

2. Trump Administration’s Crime Crackdown

• Memphis Safe Task Force:
  • President Trump’s new initiative deploys federal agents and the National Guard to Memphis.
  • "President Trump creating the Memphis Safe Task force last month in his latest crime crackdown..." — Chris DiMaio [02:30]
• Secretary of War Pete Hegseth:
  • Vows to back law enforcement nationwide.
  • "Our department is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder right next to law enforcement while you do your job." — Pete Hegseth [02:50]
• Local response:
  • Memphis Mayor Paul Young resists National Guard presence but agrees to add ATF agents.

3. ‘Make America Healthy Again’ (MAHA) Movement

• Childhood cancer research:
  • Executive order directs $50 million with artificial intelligence focus.
  • "An executive order to direct $50 million to use artificial intelligence to research childhood cancers. It's the latest step in the Trump branded effort to make America healthy again." — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (via Fox’s Rich Edson) [03:18]
• Ultra-processed foods under scrutiny:
  • Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. calls such foods “poison” and pushes for the removal of synthetic food dyes.
  • Walmart announces it will eliminate synthetic dyes from all house brands.
  • "Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also criticized ultra processed foods, calling them poison and pushed manufacturers to remove synthetic food dyes from food. Walmart just announced it's eliminating synthetic dyes from all its food brands." — Rich Edson [03:30]
• Prescription drug pricing reform:
  • New ‘Trump Rx’ allows direct drug purchases, potentially bypassing insurance.
  • Pfizer to lower state Medicaid drug prices.
  • "The administration is also focusing on making pharmaceuticals more accessible. Americans have long paid much more for many drugs than customers around the world get for far less. Drugmaker Pfizer says it will lower prices." — Rich Edson [03:45]
  • "The administration also creating Trump Rx, where Americans can bypass insurance and buy drugs directly from companies." — Chris DiMaio [03:58]

4. LaGuardia Airport Incident

• Two Delta jets collide during taxiing:
  • Right wing of one jet hits nose of another, causing windshield damage and one injury.
  • "Two Delta jets colliding at low speeds while taxiing Wednesday night at LaGuardia Airport near New York City. Air traffic control audio indicates the right wing of one plane collided with the nose of the other aircraft and and that damaged its windshield, injuring at least one person." — Chris DiMaio [03:58]

5. Preview: Fox True Crime Podcast

• Retired FBI Special Agent Stacey Perkins featured discussing the bureau’s child-predator investigations.
  • "I'm joined by retired FBI Special Agent Stacey Perkins as she discusses the bureau's innocent images initiative and the many child predators she has helped to bring down." — Stacey Perkins promo [04:28]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "This is just a stupid way to run government." — Unknown Fox News Reporter/Sen. Marino [00:19]
• "If the politicians don't have an agreement by the deadline, automatically you extend the previous year's funding for a little while to be able to help provide a little more time for an agreement to be set." — Rep. Dusty Johnson [00:58]
• "There is nothing disastrous about having October's funding be the same as September was." — Rep. Dusty Johnson [01:17]
• "They're trying to take out in its entirety the reforms that we put into the big beautiful bill pertaining to health... we strengthened the Medicaid program by making sure that ineligible recipients are not on the rolls." — Republican Senator (possibly Bernie Marino) [01:36]
• "Our department is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder right next to law enforcement while you do your job." — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth [02:50]
• "Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also criticized ultra processed foods, calling them poison and pushed manufacturers to remove synthetic food dyes from food." — Rich Edson [03:30]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Government Shutdown Update: [00:02–01:51]
• Legislative Reform Efforts: [00:43–01:24]
• Partisan Disputes over Health Care: [01:31–01:51]
• Memphis Crime Task Force/Trump Administration Policy: [02:30–02:59]
• MAHA Health Initiatives: [03:18–03:58]
• LaGuardia Collision: [03:58–04:28]
• Fox True Crime Podcast Preview: [04:28–end]

This summary captures the key themes and specific points raised in the newscast, with crucial moments, direct quotes, and context for listeners who missed the episode.