Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update — 4PM ET, October 18, 2025

Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Host: FOX News Podcasts (Daria Albinger)
Date: October 18, 2025
Running Time: ~4 minutes

Episode Overview

This Fox News Hourly Update covers the major developing stories of the day, centered on large-scale "No Kings Day" protests against the Trump administration, the ongoing government shutdown, updates on the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, and significant legal headlines involving John Bolton and George Santos. The briefing delivers quick, concise news highlights for listeners wanting a snapshot of current events.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. "No Kings Day" Demonstrations

Mass Protests Nationwide:
- Large crowds in major cities, smaller demonstrations elsewhere, all protesting the Trump administration.
- Protesters criticize President Trump for behaving "more like a king," citing use of ICE and deployment of National Guard troops.
Remarkable Speaker Appearance:
- Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) addressed protestors in Washington D.C., highlighting the fragility of American democracy.
  - Quote:
    
    "This incredible legacy of ours, our democracy is not inevitable. It is not inexorable. It is not like gravity. We have to, we have to defend it. We have to come together and defend it."
    — Sen. Adam Schiff (00:18)
Political Responses:
- Republicans claim the protests are a "distraction" from the government shutdown.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson: Labeled the protests "hate America rallies."
- High-profile Democrats, including Sens. Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders, are attending the D.C. protest.

2. Government Shutdown Drags On

Current Situation:
- Shutdown continues, with lawmakers "deadlocked over next year's federal budget."
- GOP considers "drastic measures" if the shutdown persists.
NEC Director Kevin Hassett on Republican Leverage:
- Quote:
  
  "We can stop virtually anything that we want other than defense and so on and national security matters. The president could pick the Democrats' favorite things and stop them forever legally. And he's yet to do that. He's hoping for an amicable solution."
  — Kevin Hassett (01:23)
Democratic Counterpoint:
- Dems say they are blocking the bill due to concerns over health care funding cuts, notably to the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid.

3. Middle East Update: Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

Current Developments:
- UN facility in Yemen was raided by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels (no casualties or injuries reported).
- Under an active ceasefire, Hamas has handed over the remains of 10 Israeli hostages; 18 remain unaccounted for.
Stated Commitments & Pressures:
- Hamas says it's committed to the ceasefire terms but is challenged by the devastation on the ground.
- President Trump warned that he would "greenlight Israel to resume the war if Hamas doesn't live up to its end of the deal."
Humanitarian Updates:
- Israel returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza (total now 135).
- Funerals held, highlighted by the mention of Inbar Heyman, abducted from the Nova Music Festival and who died in Hamas captivity.
Hostage Families Forum Statement:
- Families of remaining hostages vow to "not rest until the remaining 18 come home."

4. John Bolton Indictment

Legal News:
- Former Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton pled not guilty to an 18-count indictment regarding mishandling top secret documents.
  - Allegations: Emailed classified info to family members and kept documents at home.
  - Bolton has been released after initial court appearance.
  - This is the third recent DOJ case against Trump’s perceived political opponents.
Notable Quotes:
- Reporter (Chanley Painter):
  
  "John Bolton is accused of emailing classified information to family members and keeping classified documents at his Maryland home." (03:19)
- Bolton’s response: Called indictment "an intimidation effort from the president."
- President Trump responded simply, calling Bolton "a bad guy."

5. Commutation of George Santos

Presidential Action:
- President Trump has commuted the sentence of former Congressman George Santos (NY) after his conviction for deceiving donors and identity theft.
  - Santos admitted guilt for stealing identities (including family members) to funnel money into his campaign.
  - Was sentenced in April 2025.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Sen. Adam Schiff (00:18):

"This incredible legacy of ours, our democracy is not inevitable. ... We have to defend it."
NEC Director Kevin Hassett (01:23):

"We can stop virtually anything that we want other than defense... The president could pick the Democrats' favorite things and stop them forever legally."
Fox's Stephanie Bennett (02:28):

"Hamas says it is committed to the terms of the ceasefire deal, but the retrieval of those remains is hampered by the scope of the devastation."

Timestamps for Key Segments

No Kings Day protests begin: 00:02
Adam Schiff’s remarks: 00:18
Republican & Democratic responses: 00:30 - 00:55
Government shutdown update: 01:02
Kevin Hassett on shutdown strategy: 01:23
Middle East developments (Israel/Hamas): 02:16
Stephanie Bennett on hostage remains: 02:28
John Bolton indictment coverage: 03:09
Chanley Painter reporting on Bolton: 03:19
George Santos commutation: 03:43

Summary

This newscast briskly covers nationwide “No Kings” protests against President Trump, ongoing government budget stalemates, diplomatic turbulence in the Middle East, a high-profile indictment of a former national security adviser, and a controversial presidential commutation. Notable political voices and rapid updates keep listeners informed on the fast-evolving national and international headlines.

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Transcript13 lines

[00:02]
A
No Kings Day. I'm Daria Albinger, Fox News. You will find large crowds in many major cities and smaller demonstrations nationwide. Protesters holding no Kings demonstrations against the Trump administration. California Senator Adam Schiff addressing a rally in Washington.
[00:18]
B
This incredible legacy of ours, our democracy is not inevitable. It is not inexorable. It is not like gravity. We have to, we have to defend it. We have to come together and defend it.
[00:30]
A
Republicans have argued that no Kings protests are an effort to distract from the government shutdown.
[00:36]
C
People attending these rallies say that President Trump is acting more like a king. They believe he's abusing his power, specifically citing recent ICE arrests and the National Guard troops in U.S. cities. But House Speaker Mike Johnson says these are, quote, hate America rallies. Several high profile Democrats are attending the protest in D.C. amid the government shutdown. Now that includes Senators Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders.
[01:03]
A
That's fox's Madison Scarpino. Now as for the shutdown, it's dragging on as lawmakers remain deadlocked over next year's federal budget. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett on Fox Saturday in America discussed some of the what he calls drastic measures Republicans might have to take if Congress doesn't reopen the government.
[01:24]
B
We can stop virtually anything that we want other than defense and so on and national security matters. The president could pick the Democrats favorite things and stop them forever legally. And he's yet to do that. He's yet to do that. He's hoping for an amicable solution.
[01:40]
A
Democrats say they are blocking the bill because it cuts health care funding and that it fails to protect programs like the Affordable Care act and Medicaid. Iranian backed Houthi rebels raided a UN Facility in Yemen's capital today. All staff reported. To be safe, America's listening to FOX News.
[01:59]
D
It's Will Taine Country Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through Thursday@foxnews.com or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show. Listen and follow the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.
[02:16]
A
Under the current ceasefire deal, Hamas has handed over the 10th deceased Israeli hostage remains to to Israel as the Jewish state continues to wait for the return of roughly 18 bodies that are still unaccounted for.
[02:29]
E
Hamas says it is committed to the terms of the ceasefire deal, but the retrieval of those remains is hampered by the scope of the devastation. Out of the 28 bodies to be returned, Hamas has handed over 10 since the cease fire went into effect. The increased effort comes after President Donald Trump warned that he would greenlight Israel to resume the war if Hamas doesn't live up to its end of the deal. Israel returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza, bringing their total return to 135. Funerals are now being held, of course, including for 27 year old Inbar Heyman, who was abducted alive at the Nova Music Festival but later died while in Hamas captivity. The Israeli hostage and Missing families forum said they won't rest until the remaining 18 come home.
[03:10]
A
That's Fox's Stephanie Bennett. President Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton was in court yesterday to face an 18 count indictment. Here's Fox.
[03:19]
F
Chanley Painter, president Trump's former national security adviser, is pleading not guilty to mishandling top secret documents. John Bolton is accused of emailing classified information to family members and keeping classified documents at his Maryland home. He was released from custody after making his initial appearance before a judge. It's the third Justice Department case brought against a perceived political opponent of President Trump in recent weeks.
[03:43]
A
The former national security adviser described the indictment as an intimidation effort from the president while President Trump just called Bolton a bad guy. The president's commuted the sentence of former Congressman George Santos. A New York Republican was sentenced back in April for admitting last year to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of 11 people, including his own family members, in order to make donations to his campaign. I'm Daria Albinger. This is FOX News.