Fox News Hourly Update: 4AM ET 10/17/2025

Date: October 17, 2025
Host: Sue Guzman (FOX News Podcasts)
Episode Overview:
This episode delivers a tightly packed, fast-paced update on the latest national and international headlines as of early morning October 17, 2025. Major topics include President Trump’s diplomatic initiatives on Ukraine and Russia, the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, New York and California political moves, the indictment of John Bolton, a heated NYC mayoral debate, and the passing of rock legend Ace Frehley.

1. Ukraine War & U.S. Diplomacy

• Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting at the White House

  • President Trump meets with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in hopes of mediating peace, referencing his past success in de-escalating global conflicts.
  • Kevin Cork reporting:
    • "The hope, of course, is that the president will do for Russia and Ukraine what he did for Israel and Gaza and seven other global conflicts. Stop the killing." [00:12]
    • Zelenskyy expresses skepticism: “Russia's true readiness for peace lies not in Putin's never been short of those, but in actually ceasing the strikes and killings.”
    • U.S. considering everything from peace talks to the sale of NATO-compatible Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.

• Upcoming Trump-Putin Meeting

  • President Trump plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary in two weeks, following a phone call between the leaders.

Notable Moment:

• Direct skepticism voiced by Zelenskyy about Russian intentions for peace, emphasizing action over rhetoric.

2. U.S. Government Shutdown Continues

• Update on Shutdown Progress

  • 17th day of the federal government shutdown.
  • A GOP stopgap measure fails in the Senate for the 10th time.
  • Key sticking point: Democratic insistence on including Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) tax credit/subsidy extensions.

• Senate Majority Leader John Thune's Move

  • Guarantees Democrats a vote on extending Obamacare credits.
  • Doubts remain if this will be sufficient to break the Senate filibuster.

• Republican Perspective (Speaker D):

  • “It's a question of whether or not they're willing to take yes for an answer. I mean, that's, I don't know what more we can offer him.” [01:24]

• Next Steps

  • Senate won’t vote again until Monday.
  • Tax credits scheduled to expire at year-end.

3. California Politics: Pelosi’s Seat

• Scott Weiner’s Expected Congressional Run
  • California State Senator Scott Weiner is reportedly preparing a run for Nancy Pelosi’s congressional seat, as the longtime representative has yet to announce her re-election decision.
  • Source: San Francisco Standard [01:35]

4. John Bolton Indicted

• Details on Indictment

  • John Bolton, National Security Adviser during Trump’s first term and now a critic, indicted for allegedly storing classified documents at home.

• Attorney Statement:

  • Reporter David Spunt:
    • Bolton’s lawyer, Abby Lowell, confirms Bolton had classified documents but claims they were cleared for book publication. [03:23]

• Content of Seized Documents

  • Include topics such as weapons of mass destruction, U.S. strategic communications, and material on the UN mission.

5. NYC Mayoral Debate: Sparks Fly

• Three-Way Showdown

  • Democratic Socialist Zoran Mamdani, former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa debate key issues, especially crime and past COVID-19 policies.

• Key Exchanges:

  • Mamdani attacks Cuomo:
    • On Cuomo’s nursing home decisions: "If it was safety that President Trump was so concerned about, he would send them to the 8 out of 10 states that have the highest levels of crime in this country. But he won't because they're all run by Republicans." [04:03]
  • Cuomo rebuffs Mamdani’s experience:
    • "This is not a job for a first timer." [04:15]
    • And, highlighting the role’s demands: "Any day you could have a hurricane. You, God forbid, a 9/11, a health pandemic." [04:18]
  • Sliwa positions himself on crime:
    • "Look, I'm Rudy Giuliani 2. I proved that tonight in that debate. I was a law and order candidate and Andrew Cuomo, his time has come and gone." [04:32]

• Polling & Election Dates

  • Mamdani leads in the polls.
  • Election Day is November 4; early voting starts October 25.

6. Music News: KISS Guitarist Ace Frehley Dies

• Band Announcement:

  • Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS mourn Ace Frehley, original lead guitarist, calling him:
    • “An essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during the most formative, foundational chapter of this band and its history.” [04:47]

• Frehley’s Passing

  • Died from injuries suffered in a fall at age 74.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Zelenskyy about peace with Russia:
  • “Russia's true readiness for peace lies not in... words, but in actually ceasing the strikes and killings.” [00:28]
• Cuomo on being NYC Mayor:
  • "This is not a job for a first timer." [04:15]
• Sliwa’s Law and Order Stance:
  • "Look, I'm Rudy Giuliani 2. ...I was a law and order candidate and Andrew Cuomo, his time has come and gone." [04:32]
• KISS Statement (Simmons & Stanley):
  • “An essential and irreplaceable rock soldier...” [04:47]

Segment Timestamps

• Ukraine conflict & Trump-Zelenskyy meeting: 00:00–00:47
• Gov’t shutdown update: 00:47–01:35
• California politics (Pelosi’s seat): 01:35–01:59
• John Bolton indictment: 03:12–03:42
• NYC mayoral debate: 04:03–04:40
• Ace Frehley KISS tribute: 04:40–05:09

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