Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update: 5AM ET 11/25/2025 Newscast

Host: Ted Lindner, FOX News
Date: November 25, 2025

Episode Overview

This edition of the Fox News Hourly Update covers major judicial and political stories, severe weather in Houston, international diplomacy regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, President Trump's upcoming travel and diplomatic plans, a lighthearted Thanksgiving turkey pardon, and a New York mayoral election dispute. The episode delivers concise updates on these key national and international news items, with commentary and on-the-ground reporting from Fox News correspondents.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Judge Dismisses Cases Against James Comey and Letitia James

[00:02 – 01:14]

Federal Judge’s Ruling:
- A federal judge, appointed by former President Clinton, dismissed criminal cases against ex-FBI Director James Comey and New York AG Letitia James.
- The White House criticized the ruling, accusing the judge of playing politics.
White House and DOJ Response:
- US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced plans for "all available legal action, including an immediate appeal" to hold Comey and Letitia James "accountable for their unlawful complex."
- Pam Bondi:
  
  "We'll be taking all available legal action, including an immediate appeal to hold Letitia James and James Comey accountable for their unlawful complex." (00:21)
James Comey Reacts:
- Expressed relief at the dismissal, emphasizing implications for the role of the Justice Department.
- James Comey:
  
  "This case mattered to me personally, obviously. But it matters most because a message has to be sent that the president of the United States cannot use the Department of Justice to target his political enemies." (00:33)
Case Background (Mark Meredith Report):
- Prosecutors had charged Comey with lying to Congress in 2020; he pled not guilty.
- The defense argued that the prosecutor lacked proper authority to bring the charges.

2. Houston Tornado Damages Over 100 Homes

[01:14 – 01:50]

Incident Summary:
- Over 100 homes damaged by a likely tornado in Houston.
- Eyewitness describes the scene:
  
  "I see it start spinning and then I see the spiral coming down and then stuff just starts flying past my head. A garbage bin flew past." (01:22)
Casualties:
- No injuries have been reported.
Official Assessment:
- National Weather Service will survey the damage to determine tornado strength later in the day.

3. President Trump’s Diplomatic Engagements with China

[01:50 – 02:00]

US-China Presidential Communication:
- President Trump spoke by phone with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- Plans announced for Trump to visit Beijing in April and to invite Xi for a reciprocal state visit to the US next year.

4. US-Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks in Geneva

[02:29 – 03:50]

Ongoing Talks:
- American and Ukrainian delegates are holding peace negotiations in Geneva with European leaders.
- The US-backed plan proposes Ukraine cede some territory to Russia—an idea strongly opposed by Ukrainian President Zelensky.
Reporting and Reactions:
- Peter Doocy summarizes the situation:
  
  "Putin wants legal recognition for what he has stolen. To break the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty, some give and take will be necessary, according to the Secretary of state in Geneva." (02:41)
- Vice President Vance's frustration is highlighted, as Democrats allege US isn’t prioritizing Ukraine’s needs.
- Ukraine’s constitution would require a public referendum to change borders, and Zelensky vows not to surrender land.
- The American peace plan faces criticism for being potentially more favorable to Russia, despite input from both countries.

5. White House Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon

[03:50 – 04:08]

Tradition Continues:
- President Trump will pardon two turkeys, Gobble and Waddle, with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, in a ceremony at the White House.
- The turkeys received their names via a poll conducted by First Lady Melania Trump.
- Ryan Schmelz reports from the White House.

6. New York Mayoral Race Controversy

[04:08 – 04:28]

Controversy:
- The New York Post reports Curtis Sliwa is accused of owing campaign workers thousands in back pay from his unsuccessful mayoral bid.
- Sliwa pledges workers will be paid soon.
- Election outcome: Sliwa lost to Democrat Zora Mamdani, now the mayor-elect.

Notable Quotes

Pam Bondi (US Attorney General), on legal action against Comey and James:

"We'll be taking all available legal action, including an immediate appeal to hold Letitia James and James Comey accountable for their unlawful complex." (00:21)
James Comey (ex-FBI Director), on the case’s significance:

"This case mattered to me personally, obviously. But it matters most because a message has to be sent that the president of the United States cannot use the Department of Justice to target his political enemies." (00:33)
Houston Tornado Eyewitness:

"I see it start spinning and then I see the spiral coming down and then stuff just starts flying past my head. A garbage bin flew past." (01:22)
Peter Doocy (on Russia’s demands in peace talks):

"Putin wants legal recognition for what he has stolen. To break the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty, some give and take will be necessary, according to the Secretary of state in Geneva." (02:41)

Timestamps for Important Segments

Dismissal of Cases Against Comey & James, Reactions: 00:02 – 01:14
Houston Tornado Damage: 01:14 – 01:50
Trump-Xi Jinping Phone Call & Diplomatic Plans: 01:50 – 02:00
Geneva Peace Talks on Ukraine: 02:29 – 03:50
Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon: 03:50 – 04:08
Curtis Sliwa Back Pay Dispute: 04:08 – 04:28

This summary covers all critical reporting and commentary from the episode, with quotes and context for each top story, providing a clear update for those who did not listen to the newscast.

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Transcript8 lines

[00:02]
A
The Trump team responds to the ruling. I'm Ted Lindner, Fox News. The White House says a federal judge is playing politics after the Clinton appointed judge dismissed criminal cases Monday on against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Tish James. US Attorney General Pam Bondi reacting to the judge's decision Monday. We'll be taking all available legal action, including an immediate appeal to hold Letitia James and James Comey accountable for their unlawful complex. Former FBI Director James Comey responding and breathing a sigh of relief. This case mattered to me personally, obviously. But it matters most because a message has to be sent that the president of the United States cannot use the Department of Justice to target his political enemies. More on the judge's ruling. We get that from Fox's Mark Meredith.
[00:50]
B
The attorney general says the Justice Department will appeal the ruling by a federal judge dismissing charges against both New York's Attorney General Letitia James as well as the former FBI Director James Comey. Prosecutors charged Comey with lying to Congress back in 2020. He pled not guilty and his legal team has been filing multiple motions trying to get the case thrown out, including claims the prosecutor who brought the charges did not have the authority to begin with.
[01:15]
A
Officials say over 100 homes have been damaged after what was believed to be a tornado touched down in Houston Monday. A witness saying he was outside when debris started to float. I see it start spinning and then I see the spiral coming down and then stuff just starts flying past my head. A garbage bin flew past. No injuries have been reported. The National Weather Service expected to survey the damage to determine the strength of the tornado later today. And President Trump with a phone call Monday morning with Chinese President Xi Jinping and afterwards announced he would be heading to Beijing for a meeting in April. Furthermore, the president said he reciprocated by inviting Xi for a state visit to the US later this next year. America's listening to Fox News.
[02:01]
C
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[02:30]
A
News American and Ukrainian delegates meeting with European leaders in Geneva for peace talks and ending the war with Russia. But Ukraine's President Zelensky, not happy with the U. S backed plan to cede some of his country's land to Russia. Fox's Peter Doocy with more Putin wants legal recognition for what he has stolen. To break the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty, some give and take will be necessary, according to the Secretary of state in Geneva leading negotiations. The Russians get a vote here, right? Vice President Vance is annoyed that the political class is really angry that the Trump administration may finally bring a four year conflict in Eastern Europe to a close, as Democrats claim the US Isn't putting enough of a premium on Ukraine's needs. Ukraine's constitution requires its people to pass a referendum to change its borders. President Zelensky vowed not to give up land, and President Trump once promised he wouldn't have to. The American peace plan taking criticism due to its terms that could be seen as being more favorable to Russia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says it was made with input from both countries. This coming February will mark four years since that war began. President Trump set to pardon two lucky turkeys ahead of Thanksgiving with some help from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Fox's Ryan Schmelz with more from the White House.
[03:50]
C
Gabo and Waddle are the names of the two Thanksgiving turkeys who will get an official pardon from President Trump. Gobble and Waddle hail from North Carolina and received their names through a poll conducted by first lady Melania Trump, where voters were able to decide from a list of names at the White House. Ryan Schmelz, Fox News and the New.
[04:08]
A
York Post reporting that Curtis Sliwa is facing accusations of stiffing workers on his failed New York City mayoral campaign out of thousands of dollars in back pay. Sliwa says they'll be paid soon. Sliwa lost the election earlier this month to Democrat Zora Mamdani, who is now the mayor elect of New York City. I'm Ted Lindner. This is fo.
[04:29]
C
It's Will Kane 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.