Fox News Hourly Update — 3AM ET 11/18/2025 Newscast

Host: Ted Lindner (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: November 18, 2025
Duration: ~5 minutes (excluding ads)

Episode Overview

This Fox News Hourly Update covers several pressing national headlines: a Congressional vote on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files, fallout from the Larry Summers-Epstein email revelations, a targeted immigration crackdown in North Carolina, ongoing U.S. involvement in the Gaza ceasefire, new directions for the Department of Health and Human Services, and the abrupt departure of FEMA’s acting chief. The tone is fast, direct, and focused on breaking developments.

Key Topics and Discussion Points

1. Push to Release Jeffrey Epstein Files

[00:02–01:20]

• Congressional Action: The House is set to vote on a bill that would compel the Justice Department to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
• Presidential Influence: President Trump openly backs the bill on Truth Social, urging his party to vote in favor, arguing Republicans have “nothing to hide.”
• Legal Hurdles:
  • James Comer (House Oversight Chair):

    "They've released what they can legally release. There's grand jury testimony. And the Trump administration asked a judge to release that grand jury testimony. And the judge, who was an Obama appointee, rejected the Trump Department of Justice request..." ([00:19])

• House Procedure: A discharge petition — signed by all House Democrats and some Republicans — forces a floor vote.
• Bipartisan Stance:
  • Speaker Mike Johnson:

    "He's never had anything to hide. He and I had the same concern that we wanted to ensure that victims of his crimes are completely protected from disclosure." ([00:56])

• Next Steps: If the resolution passes the House, Senate approval will be required.

Notable Quotes

• Donald Trump (via reporting):

  "[Republicans have] nothing to hide." ([00:44])

• James Comer:

  "A judge has to issue that." ([00:35])

• Mike Johnson:

  "We wanted to ensure that victims of his crimes are completely protected from disclosure." ([00:58])

2. Larry Summers Steps Back After Epstein Emails

[01:20–01:37]

• Fallout From Revelations: Former Treasury Secretary and Harvard President Larry Summers is withdrawing from public commitments, following the release of emails between him and Epstein.
• Public Statement: Summers says he's "deeply ashamed of his actions and recognizes the pain they've caused."

3. ‘Operation Charlotte’s Web’ — DHS Immigration Crackdown | Charlotte, NC

[01:37–01:55]

• Target: Operation targets undocumented immigrants in Charlotte with a history of violent or dangerous crimes.
• DHS Secretary Kristi Noem:

  "We're using the investigative cases that we've built on these individuals in that area to go out after the worst of the worst. We're going after people who've committed robberies, assaults, DUIs." ([01:44])

4. U.S. Role in Gaza Ceasefire

[03:38–04:08]

• Military Coordination: U.S. Central Command is helping uphold the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas by overseeing coordination among international forces.
• No U.S. “Boots on the Ground”: Americans will coordinate a stabilization force but not deploy troops.
• Humanitarian Aid:
  • Ensuring delivery to Palestinian civilians.
• Correspondent Trey Yingst:

  "The role of the Americans in part will be to coordinate the international stabilization force that ultimately will enter Gaza, but there will be no U.S. boots on the ground." ([03:45])

5. HHS Shifts Focus to Environmental and Food Toxins

[04:08–05:06]

• Changing Priorities: The Health and Human Services Department broadens focus beyond infectious disease to chronic illnesses tied to toxins in foods and vaccines.
• Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.:

  "How come food allergies barely existed 30 years ago?" ([04:25])

  • Connects rise of peanut allergies to increase in aluminum since 1989.

    "The increase of aluminum is in lockstep, which began in 1989, with the expansion of peanut allergies." ([04:39])

• Food Regulation: HHS now requiring companies to prove food ingredients, like petroleum, are safe or will be removed. Many U.S. food ingredients are illegal in Europe.

6. FEMA Turmoil — Acting Chief Resigns

[05:06–05:34]

• Leadership Instability: Acting FEMA Chief David Richardson resigns after six months amid staff departures and criticism for handling Texas floods.
• Background: Richardson replaced Cameron Hamilton in May and was largely out of public view during his tenure.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• James Comer (Epstein Files): “They've released what they can legally release... a judge has to issue that.” ([00:19-00:35])
• Mike Johnson (Victims’ Protection): “We wanted to ensure that victims of his crimes are completely protected from disclosure.” ([00:56])
• Kristi Noem (Immigration Enforcement): “We're going after people who've committed robberies, assaults, DUIs.” ([01:44])
• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (HHS pivot): “How come food allergies barely existed 30 years ago?” ([04:25])
• Trey Yingst (Gaza): “But there will be no U.S. boots on the ground.” ([03:53])

Timestamps for Segment Reference

• Epstein Files Congressional Action: [00:02–01:20]
• Larry Summers/Epstein Fallout: [01:20–01:37]
• DHS Operation Charlotte’s Web: [01:37–01:55]
• U.S. Role in Gaza Ceasefire: [03:38–04:08]
• HHS on Chronic Illness & Food Safety: [04:08–05:06]
• FEMA Acting Chief Resigns: [05:06–05:34]

Summary

This tightly packed Fox News update delivers the day’s top stories ranging from Congressional transparency efforts and fallout from powerful elite’s Epstein ties, to government crackdowns on criminal migrants, U.S. foreign policy in a volatile Gaza, shifting federal health agency priorities, and leadership churn in federal disaster response. The tone is brisk and informative, with a focus on political and policy implications.