Fox News Hourly Update – 5AM ET 12/23/2025 Newscast
Date: December 23, 2025
Host: Ted Lindner (FOX News Podcasts)
Episode Overview:
This episode provides a fast-paced roundup of major overnight news, including U.S. anti-narcotics military actions, escalating oil sanctions on Venezuela, a new Trump military announcement, a tragic medical plane crash, changes in U.S. immigration policies, reactions to released Epstein files, and updates on a university shooting investigation.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. U.S. Military Actions Against Drug Trafficking Boats
- Summary: The U.S. Southern Command confirmed another lethal strike on an alleged narco-trafficking boat in the Eastern Pacific on Monday night.
- Impact: Since September, at least 105 alleged narco traffickers have been killed in 29 strikes.
- Quote:
Ted Lindner at 00:04: "U.S. southern Command confirming another strike on an alleged drug boat on Monday night. ... one male narco terrorist confirmed dead."
- The U.S. Coast Guard is also pursuing a third sanctioned oil tanker near Venezuela.
- This is part of a broader blockade targeting "dark fleet" vessels evading sanctions.
- Quote:
Kevin Cork at 00:30: “The sanctioned dark fleet vessel is part of Venezuela's illegal sanctions evasion. It is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.”
2. U.S.-Venezuela Oil Tensions & International Reaction
- Action: The U.S. escalates pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, seizing ships believed to be smuggling oil.
- Venezuela accuses the U.S. of "piracy"; China calls the actions a violation of international law.
- Ted Lindner at 01:00: “Venezuela has accused the US of piracy and China called the seizures a violation of international law.”
3. Trump Announces New Battleship "Golden Fleet"
- Event: President Trump announces creation of a new line of warships, the "Trump Class Golden Fleet."
- The ships are designed to be the “largest, fastest, most powerful battleships ever built.”
- Purpose: Framed as not specifically targeting China but for general "peace through strength."
- Quote:
Donald Trump at 01:19: "It's not China. We get along great with China... We just wanted peace through strength. Hopefully we'd never have to use them." - Announcement took place at Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach (01:35).
- Quote:
4. Powerball Jackpot Update
- Update: The Powerball jackpot grows to an estimated $1.7 billion after no winner in Monday night’s drawing.
- Winning numbers were: 3, 18, 36, 41, 54 (Powerball 7). (01:35)
5. Medical Plane Crash in Texas
- Incident: A medical plane en route to Mexico crashed in Galveston Bay, Texas.
- Details: Five confirmed dead, one missing (presumed dead), two survivors.
- The flight was transporting a 1-year-old child, who died in the crash.
- Quote:
Angie Rodriguez at 02:24: "Originally this was a medical flight for a one year old child... he unfortunately was one of the victims." - Cause of the crash is currently unknown.
6. Immigration Policy Changes: Self-Deportation Incentives
- Policy: The Department of Homeland Security announced increased financial incentives ($3,000 plus flight home) for immigrants who self-deport via the CBP Home app before 2026.
- Quote:
Ted Lindner at 02:58: “They'll now get $3,000 on top of their flight home if they leave before 2026.” - Exception: If apprehended before self-deporting, they lose the right to return.
- Quote:
Todd Lyons at 03:07: “...if we encounter you, you're going to be arrested and lose the opportunity to not only stay in the United States but ever come back again.” - DHS will also forgive unpaid fines for timely leavers and offer a chance to return.
- Quote:
7. Trump Responds to Epstein File Release
- Event: Nearly 100,000 pages of highly redacted Epstein files released.
- Trump’s Reaction: Frames the release as distraction from Republican Party success.
- Quote:
Donald Trump at 03:30: “What this whole thing is with Epstein is a way of trying to deflect from the tremendous success that the Republican Party has.”
8. Brown University Shooting Investigation
- Update: Campus police chief placed on leave following a shooting (two dead, nine injured).
- U.S. Department of Education investigates whether Brown violated campus safety laws.
- Suspect Claudio Neves Valente was found dead days later.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On U.S. show of force in the Pacific:
Donald Trump at 01:19: “...we just wanted peace through strength. Hopefully we'd never have to use them.” -
On new self-deport stipend program:
Todd Lyons at 03:07: “If we're out there doing our mission and we encounter you, you're going to be arrested and lose the opportunity to not only stay in the United States but ever come back again.” -
On the Epstein file release as political distraction:
Donald Trump at 03:30: “What this whole thing is with Epstein is a way of trying to deflect from the tremendous success that the Republican Party has.”
Time Stamped Segment Highlights
- 00:02 – U.S. drug boat strike report
- 00:24 – Oil tanker pursuit, U.S.-Venezuela tensions
- 01:00 – Venezuela and China responses
- 01:19 – Trump’s “Golden Fleet” announcement
- 01:35 – Powerball update
- 02:18 – Texas medical plane crash details
- 02:51 – Immigration self-deport stipend changes
- 03:07 – Enforcement warning for immigrants (Todd Lyons)
- 03:30 – Trump’s response to Epstein files
- 03:45 – Brown University shooting, police chief on leave
Episode Tone
The report maintains a brisk, urgent broadcast news tone, moving quickly through major national and international stories with a focus on official statements and government action. Brief quotations are used to provide immediacy and anchor the narrative to commentary by leaders and officials. Each topic is presented without editorializing, matching the straightforward, direct style characteristic of FOX radio newscasts.
This structured summary captures the main news, quotes, and timing, making it an effective and comprehensive briefing for listeners who missed the episode.