4AM ET 09/17/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 4AM ET 09/17/2025

Host: Sue Guzman, FOX News Podcasts
Date: September 17, 2025

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Overview

This newscast delivers a concise roundup of major national and international stories, including President Trump’s state visit to the UK, updates and fallout from the Charlie Kirk assassination, legal news from New York, and an alleged murder plot against a former congressman. The tone is rapid, direct, and gravely focused on political, legal, and security concerns.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. President Trump’s State Visit to the UK

[00:03–00:49]

• President Trump and the First Lady receive a royal welcome from King Charles III at Windsor Castle.
• The itinerary includes a wreath-laying at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb, a musical event, and a state banquet.
• This marks Trump’s second state visit to the UK; the first was under Queen Elizabeth II.
• The following day: meetings with Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss trade deals and private partnerships.

Notable Quote:

“The president and first lady arrive at Windsor Castle this morning to kick off a state visit with King Charles iii. ... This is the second state visit President Trump has made to the UK, first invited by Queen Elizabeth during his first term. Tomorrow, the president will spend the day with Prime Minister Keir Starmer with a focus on cementing a trade deal and expanding private partnerships at the White House.”
– Jarrett Halpern, FOX News [00:14]

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2. Developments in the Charlie Kirk Assassination Case

[00:49–01:54, 03:19–03:58]

Suspect’s Court Appearance

• The 22-year-old suspect appeared remotely from jail, expressionless and wearing a suicide watch smock.
• He is facing seven charges, including aggravated murder, motivated by Kirk’s political beliefs and with children present at the scene.
• After the incident, his parents recognized him from news footage and confronted him.

Notable Quote:

“Robinson wore a suicide watch smock and was emotionless as the charges were, speaking only to state his name. ... Prosecutors say aggravated because Kirk was murdered for his political beliefs and because it happened in front of children.”
– Matt Finn, FOX News [00:53]

Online Confession via Discord

• Robinson allegedly confessed on Discord, posting:
  “Hey guys, I have bad news for all of you. It was me at UVU yesterday. I'm sorry for all of this.”
• Discord’s statement to FOX Business emphasized they have “not found or received any evidence” beyond media reports.

Notable Quote:

“According to a Washington Post report, The message says, quote, hey guys, I have bad news for all of you. It was me at UVU yesterday. I'm sorry for all of this. So Discord added in a statement to FOX Business, quote, we have not found or received any evidence.”
– Ashley Starmeier, FOX News [01:37]

FBI Director Testifies in Fiery Senate Hearing

• FBI Director Cash Patel faced tough questioning about the investigation into Kirk’s murder.
• Sharp exchanges occurred between Patel and Senator Adam Schiff, with personal insults traded on the Senate floor.
• Patel also fielded questions regarding the Epstein case and other investigative priorities.

Memorable Moment:

Senator Adam Schiff to Patel: “You are the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate. You are a disgrace to this institution and an utter coward.”
[03:39]

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3. Legal Update: New York City Insurance Executive Shooting

[03:58–04:37]

• Two state terror charges against Luigi Mangione, accused in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, were dropped for lack of sufficient evidence.
• Mangione’s lawyers petitioned to dismiss murder charges on grounds of double jeopardy due to a parallel federal case, but the judge ruled it premature.
• Mangione pleads not guilty.

Notable Quote:

“Judge Gregory Caro dismissed two state terror charges in New York's case against Luigi Mangione, calling the evidence behind the charges legally insufficient. ... The judge rejected that argument, saying that it would be premature to do that.”
– Tonya J. Powers, FOX News [04:07]

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4. Alleged Murder Plot Against Former Congressman George Santos

[04:37–05:14]

• FBI investigating after George Santos, imprisoned in New Jersey, published a column about threats against his life.
• Santos, expelled from Congress and serving time for campaign fraud, now reportedly in protective custody.

Summary Quote:

“Former Congressman George Santos has reportedly been placed in protective custody in the New Jersey prison where he's serving a seven year sentence. Santos wrote about the alleged threat on his life in his latest column in the South Shore Press.”
– Chris DiMeo, FOX News [04:43]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The president and first lady arrive at Windsor Castle this morning to kick off a state visit with King Charles iii.” – Jarrett Halpern, [00:14]
• “Robinson wore a suicide watch smock and was emotionless as the charges were, speaking only to state his name.” – Matt Finn, [00:53]
• “Hey guys, I have bad news for all of you. It was me at UVU yesterday. I'm sorry for all of this.” (Alleged Discord confession.) – Ashley Starmeier, [01:37]
• “You are the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate. You are a disgrace to this institution and an utter coward.” – Senator Adam Schiff to Cash Patel, [03:39]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• President Trump's UK State Visit: [00:03–00:49]
• Charlie Kirk Assassination Updates: [00:49–01:54], [03:19–03:58]
• NYC Insurance Executive Shooting Legal Update: [03:58–04:37]
• George Santos Alleged Murder Plot: [04:37–05:14]

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This newscast encapsulates the urgent, high-impact nature of the latest political and legal developments, featuring real-time reactions, investigative updates, and notable moments of congressional drama. It is a compact but comprehensive look at the day’s top headlines from FOX News.

Transcript

[A]

A state visit to the UK I'm Sue Guzman. FOX News. President Trump getting the royal welcome from the king of the United Kingdom today. Fox's Jarrett Halpern has a preview.

[B]

The president and first lady arrive at Windsor Castle this morning to kick off a state visit with King Charles iii. The first couple will also lay a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II at St. George's Chapel before a musical performance in a state banquet. This is the second state visit President President Trump has made to the UK first invited by Queen Elizabeth during his first term. Tomorrow, the president will spend the day with Prime Minister Keir Starmer with a focus on cementing a trade deal and expanding private partnerships at the White House. Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[A]

Man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk was in court yesterday.

[C]

The 22 year old suspect appeared remotely from the county jail. Robinson wore a suicide watch smock and was emotionless as the charges were, speaking only to state his name. The Utah county attorney says the alleged assassin confessed to his family and his lover. Seven charges against Robinson were announced, including aggravated murder. Prosecutors say aggravated because Kirk was murdered for his political beliefs and because it happened in front of children. Prosecutors say after the shooting, Robinson's parents recognized him from images on TV and confronted their own son.

[A]

Fox's Matt Finn. Online messaging platform Discord confirming reports that Robinson confessed to the CR messages to friends.

[D]

Fox's Ashley Starmeier according to a Washington Post report, The message says, quote, hey guys, I have bad news for all of you. It was me at UVU yesterday. I'm sorry for all of this. So Discord added in a statement to FOX Business, quote, we have not found or received any evidence.

[A]

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[E]

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[A]

And it was FBI Director Cash Patel appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday for a fiery hearing. We have more from Fox's Marianne Rafferty.

[F]

Patel defended the FBI's handling of the Charlie Kirk assassination. Fiery crosstalk with Patel trading jabs with Senator Adam Schiff about his handling of Russia gay and January 6, you are.

[C]

The biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate. You are a disgrace to this institution and an utter coward.

[F]

And the verbal jousting went on with Patel answering questions from both sides of the aisle, including the Epstein case and the state of the investigation into Charlie Kirk's killer and the efforts to look into other potential suspects that may have been involved.

[A]

Some charges dropped against the man accused in the fatal shooting of an insurance company executive in New York City last December. Details from fox's Tonya J. Powers.

[G]

Judge Gregory Caro dismissed two state terror charges in New York's case against Luigi Mangione, calling the evidence behind the charges legally insufficient. Mangione's lawyers wanted the judge to throw out second degree murder charges against their client as well, arguing that the New York case and a parallel federal death penalty case amounted to double jeopardy. The judge rejected that argument, saying that it would be premature to do that. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December in New York City. Tanya J. Powers, FOX News.

[A]

The FBI investigating an alleged plot to kill a former House Republican. Fox's Chris DiMeo has that story.

[H]

Former Congressman George Santos has reportedly been placed in protective custody in the New Jersey prison where he's serving a seven year sentence. Santos wrote about the alleged threat on his life in his latest column in the South Shore Press, which was published Tuesday. He engaged in a variety of illegal schemes as he sought a congressional seat ahead of the 2022 election, including lying to campaign donors and stealing thousands of dollars from campaign contributors. Santos was expelled from Congress. Chris DiMeo, Fox News I'm Sue Guzman.

[A]

This is FOX News.

[B]

I'm Guy Benson in for Dana Perino this week on perennial on politics, I'm joined by FOX News contributor, outkick columnist and host of the Getting Hammered podcast. Mary Kathryn Ham, my dear friend, listen and follow [e-mail].