Fox News Hourly Update (2PM ET 10/24/2025): Episode Summary

Overview

This episode delivers a fast-paced roundup of major U.S. and international news as of October 24th, 2025, focusing on shifting military operations, international trade tensions, the ongoing government shutdown, political developments, and national polling. The tone is direct and news-centric, offering key updates with frequent input from Fox News reporters and relevant quotes from political figures.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Military Shifts Focus to Latin America

• U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group Deployment
  • The U.S. is sending the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Caribbean to bolster anti-narcoterrorism efforts in the SOUTHCOM region.
  • This move signifies a significant repositioning of military assets away from the Middle East and Pacific since August.
  • Insight: It marks the first time in recent history that the U.S. will not have an aircraft carrier in the Middle East.
• Notable Quote:
  • Jennifer Griffin (00:20):

    "The Ford Strike Group right now is currently in the Mediterranean and will take at least two weeks to get there. This is the first time that the US Military will not have a carrier in the Middle East. For U.S. Southern Command, this is a massive buildup of force."

2. U.S.-Venezuela Tensions & Drug Interdiction

• Backdrop: Confirmation of a 10th U.S. strike on a suspected drug boat.
• Venezuelan Accusations: President Maduro accuses the Trump administration of trying to force him out.
• Trade Tensions: Ongoing strain between the Trump administration and Canada, notably with President Trump calling off trade talks following a controversial Ontario government ad.
• Intellectual Property Dispute:
  • The ad used footage of former President Reagan without permission, as clarified by the Reagan Presidential Foundation.

3. U.S.-Canada Trade Talks Stall

• White House Economic Advisor’s Remarks:
  • Kevin Hassett speaks to reporters about the stalling negotiations.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Kevin Hassett (01:05):

      "The fact is that the negotiations with the Canadians have not been very collegial. They've not been going well. I think the president's very frustrated. He wants a great deal with Canada just like he wants a great deal with Mexico."

• Canada’s Response: Prime Minister says they're ready to resume talks.
• Upcoming Diplomatic Activity: Anticipation of a Trump-Xi meeting during a South Korea summit.

4. Government Shutdown: First Missed Payday

• Day 24 of Shutdown:
  • Federal workers miss their first paycheck as the shutdown drags on.
  • Senate rejects a plan to pay essential workers; only three Democrats supported the bill.
  • Democrats hold the line, demanding funds to offset Obamacare costs before ending the shutdown.
  • Key Detail: Enrollment deadline for Obamacare is November 1.
• Republican Stance: GOP says shutdown must end before tackling policy issues.
• Notable Quote:
  • Chad Pergram (01:29):

    "No paychecks for workers today. It's the first missed federal payday. The Senate rejected a plan to pay essential workers who are on the job during the shutdown. Only three Democrats supported the bill. Democrats are still demanding money to offset the cost of Obamacare, but the deadline for Open enrollment is November 1st."

5. Trump’s Support Drops Among Hispanic Voters

• New Poll Results:
  • Support among Hispanic adults slips to just 25%, down from 44% in January.
  • Key Issues: Economy and immigration drive the decline.
  • Recap of Trump's previous Hispanic voter gains in 2018 and 2024 elections.
• Notable Quote:
  • Jared Halpern (02:31):

    "President Trump made big gains in winning Hispanic voters in 2018, 2024, a key constituency critical to his election win. The two issues driving the slip in support, the survey finds, are views on the economy and immigration. Last year, President Trump won 43% of Hispanic voters, up from 35% in the 2020 election."

6. NYC Mayoral Campaign: Knicks vs. Mamdani

• Cease and Desist Over Campaign Ad:
  • The New York Knicks file a complaint against mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani.
  • Issue: Campaign ad used the Knicks' brand imagery and logo, risking public confusion over team endorsement.
  • Campaign has pulled the ad from social channels.
• Notable Quote:
  • Chris Foster (03:00):

    "...the ad is likely to mislead the public into thinking the campaign is affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by or in some way connected with the Knicks. The ad has been removed from the campaign's social media pages."

7. Hakeem Jeffries Endorses Mamdani for NYC Mayor

• Political Endorsement Dynamics:
  • After being pressed about his position, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries publicly endorses Zoran Mamdani, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Hakeem Jeffries (03:44):

      "I have not refused to endorse. I've refused to articulate my position and I will momentarily."

  • Jefferies releases a written statement of endorsement, as first reported by The New York Times.

8. Financial Markets Update

• Positive Market Response: Record highs on Wall Street as inflation data comes in cooler than expected.
  • The Dow Jones jumps 527 points to 47,259.

Key Timestamps

• 00:02 – U.S. deploys an aircraft carrier to the Caribbean (Lisa Brady)
• 00:20 – Military context and strategic shift (Jennifer Griffin)
• 01:05 – U.S.-Canada trade tensions (Kevin Hassett)
• 01:29 – Shutdown: first missed federal payday (Chad Pergram)
• 02:15 – Hispanic voter sentiments and polling (Lisa Brady/Jared Halpern)
• 03:00 – Knicks issue cease and desist to NYC mayoral candidate (Chris Foster)
• 03:34 – Hakeem Jeffries and Mamdani endorsement (Lisa Brady/Hakeem Jeffries)
• 03:51 – Wall Street market update (Lisa Brady)

Notable Quotes

• Jennifer Griffin (00:20):
  "The Ford Strike Group right now is currently in the Mediterranean and will take at least two weeks to get there. This is the first time that the US Military will not have a carrier in the Middle East. For U.S. Southern Command, this is a massive buildup of force."

• Kevin Hassett (01:05):
  "The fact is that the negotiations with the Canadians have not been very collegial. They've not been going well. I think the president's very frustrated. He wants a great deal with Canada just like he wants a great deal with Mexico."

• Chad Pergram (01:29):
  "No paychecks for workers today. It's the first missed federal payday. The Senate rejected a plan to pay essential workers who are on the job during the shutdown. Only three Democrats supported the bill. Democrats are still demanding money to offset the cost of Obamacare, but the deadline for Open enrollment is November 1st."

• Jared Halpern (02:31):
  "President Trump made big gains in winning Hispanic voters in 2018, 2024, a key constituency critical to his election win. The two issues driving the slip in support, the survey finds, are views on the economy and immigration. Last year, President Trump won 43% of Hispanic voters, up from 35% in the 2020 election."

• Chris Foster (03:00):
  "...the ad is likely to mislead the public into thinking the campaign is affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by or in some way connected with the Knicks. The ad has been removed from the campaign's social media pages."

• Hakeem Jeffries (03:44):
  "I have not refused to endorse. I've refused to articulate my position and I will momentarily."

This update delivers concise, high-level news and context on several evolving stories crucial to U.S. politics, international relations, and the economy, while capturing agency statements from policymakers and reactions from affected organizations.