Fox News Hourly Update – 5PM ET 11/04/2025

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This episode delivers real-time updates on major political and national events across the U.S. Highlights include campaign trail tensions in the wake of voting disruptions, policy debates in high-stakes election states, a congressional arrest, and White House responses on trade and national security. The episode concludes with lighter international news and financial market movements.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Election Day Security Scare & Political Fallout

• Voting Location Disruptions in New Jersey: Temporary interruptions due to emailed bomb threats on Election Day sparked immediate political finger pointing.
• NYC Mayoral Race Reaction: Zoran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist running for New York City mayor, directly blamed President Trump for fostering an environment that intimidates voters.
  • Quote:

    “We have to understand this as part of the general approach the Trump administration has taken to trying to intimidate voters with baseless allegations of voter fraud as a means of trying to repress the voice of Americans across this country.”
    — Zoran Mamdani (00:17)

• White House Response: Spokeswoman Caroline Levitt rebuffs the blame, framing it as a partisan attack.
  • Quote:

    “Just another example of how the Democrat Party unfortunately stands for nothing. All they stand against is President Donald Trump... it’s quite sad to see that we have someone at the top of the ticket on an election day today saying such things about the president when he obviously had absolutely nothing to do with those threats.”
    — Caroline Levitt (00:34)

• Campaign Trail Rhetoric: President Trump labels Mamdani a "communist."
• Competitive Races: Mamdani is contending with former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in NYC, and Trump’s policies are also prominent issues in New Jersey and Virginia governor’s contests, as well as in California’s congressional redistricting ballot measure.

2. Debate Over Legislative Power and Democratic Reforms

• Potential Congressional Majority: President Trump asserts that having a majority is essential for his legislative agenda.
• Concerns Over Possible Democratic Actions:
  • If Democrats win, critics warn they could “pack the court,” make mail-in balloting permanent, or grant statehood to D.C. and Puerto Rico.
  • Press Secretary reiterates Trump’s objection to eliminating the filibuster, highlighting prior Democratic attempts (2022).
  • GOP opposition persists in both Congressional chambers.
  • Timestamps: (01:11 – 01:40)

3. Senate Stalemate & Government Shutdown

• Continuing Impasse: The Senate fails once again to pass a bill ending what is now the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
  • Timestamps: (01:40 – 01:59)

4. Capitol Security Incident

• Congressional Arrest:
  • A member of Congress is arrested after bypassing security in the Russell Senate Office Building.
  • The individual was already under scrutiny for emailing officials and was referenced in a recent law enforcement bulletin.
  • Timestamps: (02:13 – 02:36)

5. Supreme Court Case on Tariffs

• High-Stakes Arguments: President Trump sends Treasury Secretary Scott Besant to represent the administration as the Supreme Court considers the legality of his global tariff policy.
• White House Statement:
  • “The president strongly believes that economic security is a matter of national security and tariffs have a lot to do with that.” — Caroline Levitt (02:48)
• Ongoing Legal Challenge: Several states and business groups argue that Trump’s reciprocal tariffs are not lawful.
• Timestamps: (02:36 – 03:06)

6. Automakers and Trade Policy

• Major Automakers (GM, Ford, Toyota, Tesla): Urge the Trump administration to extend the North American free trade deal but recommend making changes before the scheduled review next year.
• Timestamps: (03:06 – 03:22)

7. David Beckham Knighted

• International News: Soccer superstar David Beckham is knighted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle, described as his “proudest moment.”
  • Quote:

    “This is without a doubt my proudest moment.”
    — David Beckham (reported at 03:22)

• Context: Career achievements and pop culture influence highlighted.
• Timestamps: (03:22 – 03:58)

8. Financial Markets Snapshot

• Market Closing Numbers:
  • Dow Jones fell 251 points
  • NASDAQ dropped 486 points
• Timestamps: (03:58 – End)

Notable Quotes

• “We have to understand this as part of the general approach the Trump administration has taken to trying to intimidate voters...”
  — Zoran Mamdani (00:17)
• “Just another example of how the Democrat Party unfortunately stands for nothing. All they stand against is President Donald Trump...”
  — Caroline Levitt (00:34)
• “The president strongly believes that economic security is a matter of national security and tariffs have a lot to do with that.”
  — Caroline Levitt (02:48)
• “This is without a doubt my proudest moment.”
  — David Beckham (03:22)

Memorable Moments with Timestamps

• [00:17] Zoran Mamdani blames President Trump for voter intimidation threats.
• [00:34] White House Spokeswoman defends Trump, calls out Democratic opposition.
• [02:13] Report of a member of Congress being arrested at the Capitol.
• [02:48] White House statement on tariffs and economic security.
• [03:22] David Beckham’s knighthood ceremony.
• [03:58] Closing bell on a down market day.

This episode offers a brisk but layered view of the day’s political climate, election tension, legal wrangling, and cultural milestones—typical of the Fox News Hourly Update’s rapid-fire format.