Fox News Hourly Update – 3AM ET 12/23/2025 Newscast
Date: December 23, 2025
Host: Ted Lindner
Duration: ~4 minutes
Main Theme:
A rapid-fire briefing on top U.S. and global headlines, focusing on U.S.-Venezuela tensions, Trump’s military announcement, border enforcement incentives, deadly Texas plane crash, the Epstein files, campus violence, and the rising Powerball jackpot.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. U.S. Pursues Another Sanctioned Venezuelan Oil Tanker
[00:02-00:47]
- Kevin Cork reports the U.S. Coast Guard is in pursuit of the third “dark fleet” oil tanker near Venezuela in under two weeks, escalating pressure against the Maduro regime.
- The tankers are involved in sanctions evasion, “flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.”
- Quote (Kevin Cork, 00:17): "An administration official telling our Lucas Tomlinson the sanctioned dark fleet vessel is part of Venezuela's illegal sanctions evasion. It is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.”
- Venezuela accuses the U.S. of “piracy,” while China calls the seizures a violation of international law.
Notable Detail:
- U.S. Southern Command confirmed another strike against a drug boat in the eastern Pacific, with one alleged narco-terrorist dead, bringing total narco-trafficker deaths to 105 in 29 known strikes since September.
2. Legal Ruling on Venezuelan Migrants
[00:47-01:12]
- Federal Judge James Boasberg ruled the Trump administration must allow court challenges for Venezuelan migrants sent to El Salvador’s notorious SICOT prison:
- Either grant court hearings or return them to the U.S.
3. Trump Announces Creation of the “Golden Fleet”
[01:12-01:50]
- President Trump revealed the U.S. will construct a new line of warships named the “Trump Class,” billing them as “the largest, fastest, most powerful battleships ever built.”
- In response to whether this is aimed at countering China:
- Quote (Donald Trump, 01:36): "Just a counter to everybody. It's not China. We get along great with China. I have a great relationship with President Xi and not China. It's just everybody. You don't know who comes along. But we just wanted peace through strength. Hopefully we never have to use them.”
4. Fatal Medical Plane Crash in Texas
[02:31-03:03]
- Angie Rodriguez covers a medical flight crash in Galveston Bay en route to Mexico:
- Five dead, one missing and presumed dead, two survivors.
- The plane was transporting a one-year-old child, who was among the victims.
5. New Incentives for Self-Deportation
[03:03-03:29]
- Homeland Security now offers a $3,000 stipend, plus paid airfare, for immigrants who voluntarily leave via the CBP app before 2026.
- Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons notes a key exception:
- Quote (Todd Lyons, 03:19): "If we're out there doing our mission and we encounter you, you're going to be arrested and lose the opportunity to not only stay in the United States but ever come back again.”
- Unpaid fines for late departures will be forgiven.
- Early self-deporters before New Year may later be eligible to return legally.
6. Trump Responds to Epstein File Release
[03:34-03:46]
- About 100,000 pages of Jeffrey Epstein files released, much redacted.
- President Trump claims the media focus is a political distraction:
- Quote (Donald Trump, 03:40): “What this whole thing is with Epstein is a way of trying to deflect from the tremendous success that the Republican Party has.”
7. Campus Violence at Brown University
[03:51-04:10]
- Brown University places its campus police chief on leave after a tragic shooting leaves two students dead, nine injured.
- U.S. Department of Education opens investigation into possible violations of federal campus safety rules.
- Gunman Claudio Neves Valente was later found dead.
8. Powerball Jackpot Nears Historic Levels
[04:10-04:26]
- Powerball jackpot swells to $1.7 billion after another drawing without a winner.
- Winning numbers from Monday: 3, 18, 36, 41, 54; Powerball: 7.
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On new U.S. Navy “Trump Class” warships:
- Donald Trump (01:36): “Just a counter to everybody. It's not China. We get along great with China... We just wanted peace through strength.”
-
On self-deportation incentives:
- Todd Lyons (03:19): "If we're out there doing our mission and we encounter you, you're going to be arrested and lose the opportunity to not only stay in the United States but ever come back again.”
-
On Epstein files’ release:
- Donald Trump (03:40): “What this whole thing is with Epstein is a way of trying to deflect from the tremendous success that the Republican Party has.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
- U.S. pursues Venezuelan tanker & dark fleet: 00:02–00:47
- Federal judge on Venezuelan migrants: 00:47–01:12
- Trump’s Golden Fleet announcement: 01:12–01:50
- Texas plane crash: 02:31–03:03
- Self-deportation incentives: 03:03–03:29
- Epstein files reaction: 03:34–03:46
- Brown University shooting update: 03:51–04:10
- Powerball jackpot update: 04:10–04:26
Conclusion
This brisk newscast covers high-profile U.S. military and legal maneuvers, humanitarian tragedy, immigration policy changes, and political intrigue—delivering fast updates in Fox News’ direct, assertive tone. Suitable for those seeking a succinct overview of major stories as of December 23, 2025.