Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 2PM ET 09/30/2025 Newscast
Date: September 30, 2025
Host: Lisa Brady (with reporting by Jared Halpern, Eben Brown)
Podcast: FOX News Hourly Update

Episode Overview

This brisk newscast delivers the top headlines as of 2PM ET, September 30, 2025, with critical updates from Capitol Hill on the looming government shutdown, major pharmaceutical pricing news, developments in the Gaza ceasefire plan, a ruling on campus protests, and other national stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown Looms

[00:02 – 00:49]

• With just 10 hours left, Congress faces a deadline to avoid a government shutdown.
• President Donald Trump suggests a shutdown is "probably likely" and blames Democrats for policy disputes:
  • Quote: "Nothing is inevitable, but I would say it's probably likely because they want to give health care to illegal immigrants, which will destroy health care for everybody else..." (President Trump, 00:12)
• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accuses Republicans of strong-arming Democrats, particularly over health care benefit extensions.
• Republicans urge passage of a short-term funding bill to keep government open while debates continue.

Notable Quote:

• "I didn't see them bend even a little bit when I said we can't do that." (President Trump, 00:22)

2. Prescription Drug Pricing Deal

[00:49 – 01:24]

• The administration announces hundreds of medications will be cheaper after a deal with Pfizer.
• Trump criticizes historic U.S. drug prices:
  • Quote: "For many years, Americans have paid the highest prices anywhere in the world for prescription drugs. They paid far more, 10 times, 13 times, 15 times more than other countries for the exact same product." (President Trump, 00:49)
• Reference to the administration’s push for "most favored nation" pricing policies.
• Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla hails a "historic day" for American patients:
  • Quote: "The big winner of this deal clearly will be the American pace. There is no doubt about it. They are the ones that will see significant impact in their ability to buy medicines..." (Albert Bourla, 01:11)
• Administration seeks further deals with other drug manufacturers.

3. FCC Weaponization Allegations

[01:24 – 01:59]

• FCC Chair Brendan Carr pushes back against claims that the agency is being misused to target Trump critics.
• Carr reaffirmed the panel's stance against the weaponization of any administration:
  • Quote: "The panel does not want to see weaponization of government by any administration against any perspective." (Brendan Carr, 01:51)

4. Gaza Peace Proposal: U.S. & Global Stakes

[02:31 – 03:14]

• President Trump gives Hamas "three or four days" to accept a new 20-point peace plan, after Israel's acceptance.
  • Quote: "And Hamas is either going to be doing it or not. And if it's not, it's going to be a very sad end." (President Trump, 02:44)
• The U.S. signals it will fully support Israel if Hamas rejects the deal.
• Jared Halpern summarizes plan features:
  • Immediate release of all remaining hostages.
  • Gradual Israeli withdrawal.
  • Formation of a civilian council for postwar governance in Gaza.
• Multiple countries (Saudi Arabia, Turkey, France, Italy) back the plan.
• Hamas is currently reviewing the proposal.

5. Free Speech on Campuses: Federal Court Ruling

[03:14 – 03:42]

• A federal judge in Boston rules the administration unconstitutionally targeted pro-Palestinian demonstrators on college campuses.
• Faculty and activist groups had argued free speech rights were being chilled.

6. Florida Teen's Abduction Hoax

[03:42 – 04:17]

• An intense search triggered by an Amber Alert for a 17-year-old turns out to be a hoax.
• The teen allegedly faked his own kidnapping and self-inflicted a gunshot wound.
• Likely facing charges for filing a false report.
  • Quote: "Who had a handgun with him since the beginning of all of this, chose to shoot himself in the leg." (Sheriff Billy Wood, 03:58)

7. Stock Market Update

[04:17 – 04:29]

• Markets are down as of air time:
  • Dow: –135 points.
  • S&P and Nasdaq also down.
• Brief summary with no deeper analysis.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• [00:12] President Trump: "Nothing is inevitable, but I would say it's probably likely because they want to give health care to illegal immigrants..."
• [00:49] President Trump on drug prices: "They paid far more, 10 times, 13 times, 15 times more than other countries..."
• [01:11] Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla: "The big winner of this deal clearly will be the American pace."
• [01:51] FCC Chair Brendan Carr: "The panel does not want to see weaponization of government by any administration against any perspective."
• [02:44] President Trump: "And Hamas is either going to be doing it or not. And if it's not, it's going to be a very sad end."
• [03:58] Sheriff Billy Wood: "He chose to shoot himself in the leg."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:02 – Shutdown deadline approaches, Trump and Schumer trade blame
• 00:49 – Trump and Pfizer announce drug pricing deal
• 01:24 – FCC controversy over claims of government weaponization
• 02:31 – U.S.-backed ceasefire deal deadline for Hamas, global support noted
• 03:14 – Court protects pro-Palestinian campus protests
• 03:42 – Florida teenager’s abduction lie unraveled
• 04:17 – Stock market update

Summary

The 2PM Fox News newscast delivers a rapid-fire overview of the day’s pivotal political and international developments, headlined by a possible government shutdown, landmark prescription drug pricing reforms, Middle East diplomacy, campus protest rights, and domestic crime stories. The news is conveyed in a brisk, no-nonsense tone, with direct comments from key figures and reporting from Fox News correspondents.