4PM ET 09/22/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update: 4PM ET 09/22/2025 — Detailed Summary

Main Theme

This Fox News Hourly Update covers major political, legal, and international news stories of the day, focusing on the impact of a high-profile show’s return, an attempted assassination trial, shakeups in federal positions, international reactions to the Israel-Palestine conflict, and a rare charge involving Marine One.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

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1. Jimmy Kimmel Live Suspension and Free Speech Debate

[00:02–01:00]

• Background: ABC announces the return of "Jimmy Kimmel Live," which was previously suspended after host Jimmy Kimmel made controversial comments regarding the killing of activist Charlie Kirk.
• Network's Statement: Disney confirms the suspension was to "avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for the country" and acknowledges viewer complaints to affiliates.
• Debate Sparked: The incident has generated a broader conversation about free speech, particularly the role of the FCC and their chair’s comments on the matter.
• Memorable Quote:
  • "The decision to suspend production was made to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for the country." — Lisa Brady (00:08)

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2. Ryan Ruth Attempted Assassination Trial

[01:00–01:27]

• Trial Developments: Closing arguments are set for tomorrow in the case against Ryan Ruth, accused of an attempted assassination of then-candidate Donald Trump at a Florida golf course.
• Self-Representation: Ruth is representing himself and kept witness testimony minimal, focusing on a firearms expert and two character witnesses.
• Firearms Testimony: The expert, Michael McClay, comments on the operability of the SKS rifle found at the scene and whether it could hit a distant target, depending on shooter skill.
  • "Depending on the skill of the shooter, yes." — Michael McClay (01:21)
• Character Support:
  • Marshall Hinshaw, former coworker, vouches for Ruth's generosity and character.
• Ruth’s Defense: Ruth claims he sought attention, not an assassination.

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3. Supreme Court Case on Firing of FTC Commissioner

[01:27–01:59]

• Judicial News: The Supreme Court will consider the president's authority to fire a sitting FTC commissioner (a Democrat), revisiting a precedent nearly a century old.
• Potential Impact: Decision could alter standards for removing federal commissioners.

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4. U.S. Response to Palestinian Statehood Recognition

[02:14–02:38]

• White House Position: Spokeswoman Caroline Levitt states President Trump opposes more U.S. allies’ recognition of Palestinian statehood, calling it unhelpful regarding Gaza hostage release and peace.
  • "Does not do anything to release the hostages, which is the primary goal right now in Gaza. Does nothing to end this conflict and bring this war to a close. And frankly, he believes it's a reward to Hamas." — Caroline Levitt (02:26)
• International Counterpoint: The UN Secretary General asserts that recognition is a right, not a reward.

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5. Trump’s DOJ Moves Against Political Foes

[02:55–03:28]

• Justice Department Actions: Reports of President Trump replacing the U.S. attorney in Virginia after disputes about prosecuting New York AG Letitia James.
• Charges & Allegations: Levitt claims James engaged in “corrupt” behavior and mentions supposed evidence of mortgage fraud (no charges filed).
  • "This is an individual who has corrupt and abused her oath of office, and we also have evidence of her mortgage fraud." — Caroline Levitt (03:04)
• Weaponization Denied: Levitt denies using the DOJ against Trump’s political opponents, stating public support for rooting out corruption.
  • "The American people gave a mandate to investigate and root the corruption out of our system, and that's what the president wants to see done." — Caroline Levitt (03:21)
• No Charges: Adam Schiff and Letitia James remain uncharged.

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6. Laser Incident Involving Marine One

[03:34–04:12]

• Incident: A man is federally charged for shining a laser at Marine One while President Trump was airborne near the White House.
• Details:
  • The suspect, observed shirtless and talking to himself, flashed a laser at a Secret Service officer before targeting Marine One.
  • Potential consequences: Up to five years in prison if convicted.
• Memorable Quote:
  • "He first flashed a red laser beam at the officer's face, then at Marine One as it flew overhead.” — Lisa Brady (03:41)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|--------|---------| | 00:08 | "The decision to suspend production was made to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for the country." | Lisa Brady | | 01:21 | "Depending on the skill of the shooter, yes." | Michael McClay (firearms expert) | | 02:26 | "Does not do anything to release the hostages, which is the primary goal right now in Gaza. Does nothing to end this conflict and bring this war to a close. And frankly, he believes it's a reward to Hamas." | Caroline Levitt | | 03:04 | "This is an individual who has corrupt and abused her oath of office, and we also have evidence of her mortgage fraud." | Caroline Levitt | | 03:21 | "The American people gave a mandate to investigate and root the corruption out of our system, and that's what the president wants to see done." | Caroline Levitt | | 03:41 | "He first flashed a red laser beam at the officer's face, then at Marine One as it flew overhead.” | Lisa Brady |

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Important Timestamps

• 00:02–01:00 — Jimmy Kimmel Live suspension & return, free speech debate
• 01:00–01:27 — Ryan Ruth trial update & firearms testimony
• 01:27–01:59 — Supreme Court to review FTC commissioner firing
• 02:14–02:38 — U.S. government reaction to Palestinian statehood recognition
• 02:55–03:28 — DOJ developments regarding political foes
• 03:34–04:12 — Federal charge for laser incident with Marine One

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Final Notes

• All three major U.S. stock indexes close at record highs (“the Dow, the S and P and the Nasdaq, all with a record close”).
• The episode maintains a brisk, news-focused pace with minimal editorializing, characteristic of Fox News’ hourly updates.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

A suspended show about to make a comeback. Lisa Brady, Fox News. The Walt Disney Company just confirming that Jimmy Kimmel Live will return tomorrow after, quote, thoughtful conversations with the host. The company, ABC's parent says the decision to suspend production was made to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for the country. This after the killing of Charlie Kirk. Also calling some of Kimmel's comments ill timed and thus insensitive. The network faces pushback from affiliates over viewer complaints, but the suspension has led to a broader free speech debate and criticism of the FCC chair over his comments on Kimmel's remarks. Closing arguments now set for tomorrow morning at the trial of Ryan Ruth, accused of trying to kill then candidate Trump on a Florida golf course last year and representing himself, calling just three witnesses, including a firearms expert. Before resting his case today, Ruth spent.

[Court Reporter]

A considerable amount of time questioning Michael McClay about the operability of the SKS rifle and scope found at the alleged sniper nest and whether it could be effective in hitting a target from a considerable distance. Maclay said depending on the skill of the shooter, yes. Ruth then called on two character witnesses. Former coworker and friend Marshall Hinshaw said if he asked Ruth for $2 for gas, the defendant would give him 10 or $20.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jonathan Seri Ruth has suggest he was out for attention, not plotting an attempted assassination. The U.S. supreme Court just agreeing to take up the case of a Democratic member of the Federal Trade Commission who was fired by the president, then ordered reinstated by lower courts. The justices could overturn or narrow a nearly century old decision on grounds for removing commissioners stocks hitting new highs. The Dow up 66 points at the bell. America is listening to FOX News.

[Jimmy Fallon]

This is Jimmy Fallah inviting you to join me for FOX Across America where we'll discuss every single one of the Democrats dumb ideas. Just kidding. It's only a three hour show. Listen live at noon Eastern or get the [e-mail].

[Lisa Brady]

More talk, not enough action. That's part of the White House reaction to more U.S. allies recognizing Palestinian statehood. Spokeswoman Caroline Levitt says President Trump disagrees with that decision and he feels this.

[Caroline Levitt]

Does not do anything to release the hostages, which is the primary goal right now in Gaza. Does nothing to end this conflict and bring this war to a close. And frankly, he believes it's a reward.

[Lisa Brady]

To Hamas, echoing what the Israeli prime minister has said. But the UN Secretary general says it's a right, not a reward. As France becomes the latest to recognize Palestinian statehood, President Trump keeps pushing for federal prosecutors to pursue cases against some high profile political foes.

[Jared Halpern]

The president replaced the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia following disagreements over bringing a case against New York Attorney General Letitia James.

[Caroline Levitt]

This is an individual who has corrupt and abused her oath of office, and we also have evidence of her mortgage fraud.

[Jared Halpern]

White House press secretary Caroline Levitt rejects claims that President Trump is weaponizing the Justice Department to target political opponents like James and California Senator Adam Schiff.

[Caroline Levitt]

The American people gave a mandate to investigate and root the corruption out of our system, and that's what the president wants to see done.

[Jared Halpern]

Neither James nor Schiff have been charged with any crimes. At the White House, Jared Halpern, Fox.

[Lisa Brady]

News A man accused of shining a laser at Marine One over the weekend faces a federal charge. The president was airborne on the helicopter Saturday near the White House when a Secret Service officer says in an affidavit he spotted the suspect walking on a sidewalk, shirtless and talking loudly to himself. And that after shining a flashlight at the man, he first flashed a red laser beam at the officer's face, then at Marine One as it flew overhead. He could face up to five years in prison if convicted of aiming the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft. Recapping stocks, the Dow, the S and P and the Nasdaq, all with a record close. And Lisa Brady, FOX News.

[Will Cain]

It'S the Will Cain Show. Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through Thursday on fox news.com or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss a show. Get the podcast five days a week at fox news podcast.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.