5AM ET 12/29/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 5AM ET, December 29, 2025

Host: Debra Valentine
Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update

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Episode Overview

This edition delivers concise updates on major international and US news as of December 29, 2025. The focus centers on diplomatic developments involving Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Ukraine’s President Zelensky, along with US crime statistics, a tragic helicopter crash, and the passing of French icon Brigitte Bardot.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump-Netanyahu Meeting at Mar-a-Lago (00:03 – 00:45)

• Event: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is meeting President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, with the future of Gaza and the status of the ceasefire being focal discussion points.

• Discussion Topics:

  • Ongoing threats from Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
  • The “main focus” is orchestrating the next phase of Gaza’s ceasefire and peace process.
  • Concerns among top US aides (per Axios) that Netanyahu may be delaying (“slow walking”) the peace process, possibly preparing to resume hostilities.

• Key Quote:

  • Jeff Paul (00:11):

    “The main focus of this meeting no doubt will be on the future of Gaza and the next phase of this ceasefire deal. Axios reporting that some of the president's top aides feel that Netanyahu is slow walking the peace process and fear he could resume fighting with Hamas.”

• Important Figures Involved:

  • Steve Witkoff (Special Envoy to the Middle East) and Jared Kushner are attempting to iron out ceasefire details, including Hamas’s disarmament and an Israeli troop withdrawal.

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2. Trump-Zelensky Meeting on Ukraine-Russia Peace (00:45 – 01:33)

• Event: Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met at Mar-a-Lago to discuss ongoing peace negotiations with Russia.

• Progress & Tensions:

  • Trump emphasized progress but avoided concrete percentages:
    • Donald Trump (00:59):

      “You can say 95%, but I don't like to say percentages. I just think we're doing very well. We're very, we could be very close.”

  • Zelensky remarked on nearing agreements for security guarantees from the US and Europe.
  • Reference to a “prosperity plan” in progress.

• Next Steps:

  • Further discussions anticipated in January, possibly including talks with Russia regarding territorial questions and ending hostilities.

• Memorable Quotes:

  • Donald Trump (01:14):

    "Prosperity plan being finalized."

  • Jeff Paul (01:16):

    “And we also discussed the sequencing of the following actions.”

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3. New Jersey Helicopter Collision (01:33 – 01:51)

• Incident: Two helicopters collided in Southern New Jersey; one pilot was killed, the other injured.

• Human Interest Note:

  • A witness described both pilots as friendly regulars:
    • (01:44):

      “They were just at our cafe having breakfast. They're regulars. They come in every week or every other week.”

• Investigation:

  • The FAA and NTSB are on the case.

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4. Charlie Kirk Shooting Case Developments (02:16 – 03:05)

• Legal Proceedings:

  • Virtual hearing in the case of the accused assassin in Charlie Kirk’s shooting.
  • Judge Tony Graf contemplating reconsideration of a gag order after prosecutors contest its legitimacy; may also decide on releasing private hearing transcripts.

• Defense Request:

  • Defense for Tyler Robinson (accused shooter) has moved to disqualify the Utah county attorney’s office, citing a sealed conflict of interest involving a possible witness.

• Status:

  • The conflict of interest issue is tabled for a future hearing.

• Key Summary:

  • Jessica Rosenthal (02:24):

    “Judge Tony Graf is expected to reconsider the gag order in this case after prosecutors argued against what they called an unlawful prior restraint on speech.”

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5. Violent Crime Trends in the US (03:05 – 03:56)

• National Trends:

  • Violent crime (homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) decreased nationwide in 2025 vs. 2024; mass killings also fell.

• Exceptions:

  • Several major metropolitan areas saw increased violent crime, including:
    • Omaha (Nebraska)
    • Atlanta
    • Los Angeles County
    • Tampa
    • Pittsburgh
    • Philadelphia
    • Denver
    • Suffolk County (NY)
    • Wichita (Kansas)

• Federal Response:

  • President Trump has deployed National Guard troops in affected cities, vowing to combat violent crime despite local leaders’ objections.

• Key Quote:

  • Sue Guzman (03:13):

    “Mass killings also fell in 2025. But several major US cities have seen a spike in violent crime despite the nationwide downward trend… President Trump has been deploying National Guard troops to various cities across the US, vowing to fight violent crime despite the objections of many local leaders.”

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6. Notable Obituary: Brigitte Bardot (03:56 – End)

• Announcement: French icon Brigitte Bardot died at 91 in southern France; cause of death unspecified.
• Legacy: 1960s film star, retired young to become an animal rights activist.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On peace in Ukraine:

  • Donald Trump (00:59): “You can say 95%, but I don't like to say percentages. I just think we're doing very well. We're very, we could be very close.”

• On the two helicopter pilots’ friendship:

  • Unknown witness (01:44): “They were just at our cafe having breakfast. They're regulars. They come in every week or every other week.”

• On dealing with crime:

  • Sue Guzman (03:13): “President Trump has been deploying National Guard troops to various cities across the US, vowing to fight violent crime despite the objections of many local leaders.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Trump-Netanyahu Meeting: 00:03–00:45
• Trump-Zelensky on Ukraine Peace: 00:45–01:33
• New Jersey Helicopter Crash: 01:33–01:51
• Charlie Kirk Case Hearing: 02:16–03:05
• US Crime Trends: 03:05–03:56
• Brigitte Bardot’s Passing: 03:56–End

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This summary captures the episode’s key news items and tone, providing all essential updates for those who missed the original.

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

Trump and Netanyahu. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. The Israeli prime minister meets with President Donald Trump today at Mar a Lago.

[Jeff Paul]

The two world leaders will likely be discussing the ongoing threats from Iran and Hezbollah and Lebanon. But the main focus of this meeting no doubt will be on the future of Gaza and the next phase of this ceasefire deal. Axios reporting that some of the president's top aides feel that Netanyahu is slow walking the peace process and fear he could resume fighting with Hamas. Special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are trying to finalize details regarding that phase two of the ceasefire, which includes Hamas disarming and an Israeli troop withdrawal.

[Debra Valentine]

Fox's Jeff Paul reporting from Tel Aviv. The US And Ukraine presidents met Sunday at Mar a Lago over a peace.

[Grinal Scott]

Plan with Russia standing with Volodymyr Zelensky at Mar a Lago. President Trump said there's been progress but did not commit to how much?

[Donald Trump]

You can say 95%, but I don't like to say percentages. I just think we're doing very well. We're very, we could be very close.

[Grinal Scott]

President Zelensky added, they're close on security guarantees with the US And Europe and how Ukraine will benefit down the road.

[Donald Trump]

Prosperity plan being finalized.

[Jeff Paul]

And we also discussed the sequencing of the following actions.

[Grinal Scott]

What comes next? More talks perhaps in the January and possibly with Russia over who keeps land and how an end to the fighting will eventually happen. Grinal Scott, FOX News.

[Debra Valentine]

One helicopter pilots dead, the other injured after their choppers collided midair in southern New Jersey Sunday. Nobody else was aboard. This witness says the two pilots were apparently friends.

[Donald Trump]

They were just at our cafe having breakfast. They're regulars. They come in every week or every other week.

[Debra Valentine]

The FAA and the NTSB are investigating. America's listening to Fox News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 50 episode podcast series the Life of.

[Grinal Scott]

Jesus, A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Debra Valentine]

A virtual hearing is scheduled for today in the case of Charlie Kirk's alleged assassin. Fox's Jessica Rosenthal has a preview of today's hearing.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Judge Tony Graf is expected to reconsider the gag order in this case after prosecutors argued against what they called an unlawful prior restraint on speech. The judge will also consider whether to release transcripts of a closed door hearing from October to the public. Ahead of this hearing, attorneys for accused shooter Tyler Robinson asked for the Utah county attorney's office to be disqualified from the case, citing a conflict of interest with one of the prosecutors. The person's identity is sealed. Robinson's team says the attorney has a personal connection with a witness to the shooting, but prosecutors say this individual would not be called as a witness by the state in a trial. This particular issue is expected to be dealt with at a later hearing. Jessica Rosenthal, FOX News.

[Debra Valentine]

Violent crime has dropped nationwide, but as we hear from Fox's Sue Guzman, several US Cities moved in the opposite direction.

[Sue Guzman]

A survey conducted by the Major Cities Chiefs association found that rates of homicides, rapes, robberies and aggravated assault declined nationwide this year compared to 2024. Mass killings also fell in 2025. But several major US cities have seen a spike in violent crime despite the nationwide downward trend. Include Omaha, Nebraska, Atlanta, Los Angeles County, Tampa, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Denver, Suffolk County, New York, and Wichita, Kansas. President Trump has been deploying National Guard troops to various cities across the US Vowing to fight violent crime despite the objections of many local leaders. Sue Guzman, FOX News French film star.

[Debra Valentine]

Brigitte Bardot has died at home in southern France at the age of 91. No cause of death has been released. The 1960s icon left acting at the age of 39, becoming an animal rights activist. I'm Deborah Valentine. This is FOX News.