Fox News Hourly Update: 2PM ET 08/18/2025 Newscast

Host: Lisa Brady, FOX News Podcasts
Date: August 18, 2025

Overview

This Fox News Hourly Update delivers breaking news and developments on international diplomacy, U.S. voting policy, state and national politics, labor disputes in Canada, and recent changes in language. The top focus is President Trump’s meeting with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy at the White House, following a recent summit between Trump and Russia’s President Putin, and the outlook for peace talks in the region.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.-Ukraine-Russia Diplomacy and Efforts Toward Ending the War

• President Zelenskyy visits the White House for the first time since a diplomatic rift in February.
• This meeting follows a Trump-Putin summit in Alaska just days prior.
• President Trump expresses optimism about pursuing a trilateral meeting between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia, seeking to end the war.
  • Quote (President Trump, 00:22):
    “We're gonna have a meeting. I think if everything works out well today, we'll have a try lat and I think there will be a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that.”
• Discussions are set with European leaders, including NATO’s chief, who brought security guarantees for Ukraine.
• The topic of Ukraine joining NATO reportedly not a central focus.
  • Quote (President Trump, 00:47):
    “We haven't done anything on that yet. If you look back and you go back long before President Putin, it was always a statement that they would never allow Ukraine into NATO. So that was a statement that was made. But we haven't discussed any of that yet. We're going to be discussing, but we will give them very good protection, very good security. That's part of it. And the people that are waiting for us, they are, I think they're very like minded.”

Notable Timeline

• 00:02 – 01:12: White House commentary on Ukraine, Russia, NATO, and upcoming diplomatic steps.

Additional Notes

• Russia’s Foreign Ministry claims NATO troop deployment in Ukraine is not a workable solution.
• Trump plans to call Putin after the day’s meetings.
• A one-on-one interview between President Zelensky and Fox’s Bret Baier is scheduled (to air at 6 PM EST).

2. U.S. Domestic Policy: Voting by Mail

• President Trump reiterates his opposition to mail-in voting, labeling it as “corrupt,” and announces an executive order in the works to end mail-in ballots.
  • Quote (President Trump, 01:37):
    “We’re going to stop mail in ballots because it’s corrupt.”
• Context: Over 30% of votes in the last Presidential election were cast by mail, down from 43% during the pandemic.
• Trump argues that most other countries do not use mail-in ballots.

Notable Timeline

• 01:37 – 01:41: Voting by mail segment.

3. Texas Redistricting and Political Maneuvering

• Texas Democrats return to Austin after a two-week walkout protesting GOP-led plans for a new U.S. House district map, which would favor Republicans.

• The legislature now resumes work on redistricting and other issues, including flood safety measures after recent devastating floods.

• California Democrats consider their own redistricting plans to counter balance.

  • Quote (Ryan Schmelz, 02:20):
    “Texas Democrats are back in Austin for the start of another special session in the state House of Representatives. It comes as Democrats in California are pushing a plan to redraw the Golden State's map to counter Republican gains in Texas.”

Notable Timeline

• 02:15 – 02:51: Redistricting and state politics update.

4. Labor Disputes: Air Canada Flight Attendants

• Canadian union officials defy a government order after 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants' strike is declared illegal, with workers directed to return and submit to arbitration.
• Key unresolved issues: pay and compensation for unpaid duties performed on the ground.

Notable Timeline

• 02:51 – 03:20: Canada strike and labor update.

5. Language Evolution: New Slang in the Dictionary

• Cambridge Dictionary adds over 6,000 new words, reflecting contemporary slang:
  • “Skibidi”: versatile term, can be positive or negative, or just a joke.
  • “Delulu”: from “delusional.”
  • “Trad Wife”: shortening of “traditional wife,” a mother who publicly embodies traditional roles.
  • “Broligarchy”: portmanteau of “bro” and “oligarchy,” referring to a powerful group of rich men, especially tech figures.
  • “Mouse jiggler”: device/software to simulate computer activity.

Notable Timeline

• 03:20 – 04:05: Language changes segment.

6. Market Update: U.S. Stocks

• As of this broadcast, the Dow is down by about 60 points.

Notable Timeline

• 04:05 – 04:13: Market report.

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• President Trump on Ukraine’s security:
  “But we will give them very good protection, very good security. That's part of it.” (00:47)
• President Trump on ending mail-in ballots:
  “We’re going to stop mail in ballots because it’s corrupt.” (01:37)
• Ryan Schmelz on political strategies:
  “It comes as Democrats in California are pushing a plan to redraw the Golden State’s map to counter Republican gains in Texas.” (02:20)
• Fun with slang (announcer):
  “Mouse Jiggler is a device or piece of software used to make it seem like you're working, but you're really not.” (03:20)

Summary Table of Important Segments

| Segment | Timeframe | Highlights | |----------------------------------|--------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | U.S.-Ukraine-Russia Diplomacy | 00:02–01:12 | Summit follow-up, peace talk efforts, NATO security | | Voting by Mail | 01:37–01:41 | Trump stance, executive order, mail ballot stats | | Texas Redistricting | 02:15–02:51 | Democrat walkout ends, special legislative session | | Canadian Labor Dispute | 02:51–03:20 | Air Canada strike response, major issues outlined | | Language Evolution | 03:20–04:05 | New slang, dictionary additions explained | | Market Update | 04:05–04:13 | Dow drops ~60 points |

Tone & Style

The podcast maintains a brisk, news-focused tone with direct quotations from key political figures, rapid updates on developing stories, and interjections from reporters. The style is concise, urgent, and informative—typical of top-of-the-hour broadcast newscasts.