Fox News Hourly Update – 5AM ET 11/18/2025

Episode Overview
This 5-minute Fox News Hourly Update delivered by Ted Lindner provides a rapid-fire summary of breaking national headlines: the latest developments in immigration enforcement in Charlotte; congressional discussion around the release of Jeffrey Epstein files; President Trump’s remarks on affordability and investment; plans for a meeting with New York City’s new mayor; and progress on the U.S. blueprint for Gaza at the United Nations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Immigration Crackdown Escalates in Charlotte

• Major Event: Close to 200 alleged undocumented immigrants have been arrested in Charlotte, NC, as immigration enforcement intensifies.
• Incident Details:
  • A dramatic video depicts a man (a U.S. citizen with a firearm) attempting to evade law enforcement during an immigration operation by driving a white van towards agents, nearly hitting them, engaging in a high-speed chase, and ramming into officers. One officer was injured.
  • The driver was apprehended and faces criminal charges.
• Community Reaction:
  • Protestors dubbed “whistle warriors” confronted agents, blowing whistles, shouting profanities, and accusing authorities of racial targeting.
  • Opponents of the raids claim they are being “terrorized and targeted for their skin color.” (00:50)

2. House Vote on Releasing Remaining Jeffrey Epstein Files

• Congressional Action:
  • The House plans to vote on whether to release additional files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
  • Oversight Chairman James Comer explains that most legally releasable material has already been made public, but grand jury testimony remains sealed due to judicial rulings.
• Notable Quote:

  “There’s grand jury testimony and the Trump administration asked the judge to release that grand jury testimony and the judge, who was an Obama appointee, rejected the Trump Department of Justice request...”
  — James Comer [01:02]

• Further Investigation:
  • U.S. attorney Jay Clayton is examining Epstein’s connections with former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and former President Bill Clinton.
  • Clinton’s aide: “Bill Clinton did nothing and knew nothing. The rest is noise meant to distract from election losses, backfiring, shutdowns and who knows what else.” (01:31)
• Political Dynamics:
  • President Trump’s directive for an additional DOJ probe is called a “180 degree pivot.” Critics argue it’s motivated by political “revenge.” (01:50)

3. President Trump on Inflation, Affordability, and Investment

• Remarks at McDonald’s Impact Summit:
  • Trump asserted improvements in Americans’ economic position, crediting lower inflation and large-scale investments under his administration.
  • Investment Figures:

    “We have over $17 trillion being invested in our country in nine months. It’s now just about ready to crack 18 and by the end of one year we will have about 20 to 21 trillion dollars invested in our country.”
    — President Trump [02:44]

  • He praised McDonald’s and stated his commitment to “fight every single day for the little guy.”
• Blame on Democrats:
  • Trump attributed increased living costs to Democratic policies and “tens of millions of illegals” entering under the previous administration. (03:52)

4. NYC Mayor-Elect Plans Meeting with Trump

• Background:
  • NYC’s newly elected Mayor Alex Zoram Mamdani reached out to the president as part of a campaign promise to address affordability.
• Key Info:
  • No date scheduled for the meeting, but both leaders ran on cost-lowering platforms.
  • Quote from Mamdani:

    “His affordability message is what he hopes to bring to the president’s attention when they need to talk.”
    — (03:38, paraphrased by reporter Morgan MacKay)

5. U.S. Gaza Blueprint Receives U.N. Backing

• U.N. Approval:
  • The United States’ plan for Gaza—including an international stabilization force and a transitional authority under President Trump—gained strong support in the United Nations.
• Future Statehood:
  • The blueprint includes prospects for a Palestinian state and a 20-point ceasefire endorsed by the U.N. vote. (04:15)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Shows a man driving a large white van towards law enforcement... It nearly strikes agents, then takes officers on a high speed chase... The driver, a US Citizen who had a firearm in that van rammed into law enforcement trying to escape. One officer was injured. The driver is criminally charged.”
  — Matt Finn [00:16]
• “There’s grand jury testimony and the Trump administration asked the judge to release that grand jury testimony and the judge, who was an Obama appointee, rejected the Trump Department of Justice request...”
  — James Comer [01:02]
• “Bill Clinton did nothing and knew nothing. The rest is noise meant to distract from election losses...”
  — Clinton aide, via David Spunt [01:31]
• “We have over $17 trillion being invested in our country in nine months... by the end of one year we will have about 20 to 21 trillion dollars invested in our country.”
  — President Trump [02:44]
• “His affordability message is what he hopes to bring to the president’s attention when they need to talk.”
  — Zoram Mamdani, paraphrased by Morgan MacKay [03:38]

Timeline of Key Segments

• 00:02 – 00:52: Immigration Crackdown in Charlotte, community unrest
• 00:52 – 01:56: Epstein files update and political implications
• 02:32 – 03:00: Trump’s economic remarks at McDonald's Impact Summit
• 03:15 – 03:52: NYC Mayor-elect’s planned meeting with Trump on affordability
• 03:52 – 04:30: Gaza U.N. blueprint and U.N. ceasefire endorsement

Summary Tone:
Direct, urgent, and concise, reflecting Fox News' fast-paced, headline-driven style. Direct speech, paraphrased reporting, and authoritative statements characterize this news update.