Fox News Hourly Update – 5PM ET 12/22/2025 Newscast

Main Theme The episode delivers a concise roundup of major world and national news developments, focusing on escalating U.S. actions against Venezuelan oil tankers, new U.S. military shipbuilding plans, legal proceedings involving an alleged MS-13 member, controversy over a CBS report on El Salvador’s prisons, significant international news involving Russia, and the death of famed video game creator Vince Zampella.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Moves to Seize Third Venezuelan Oil Tanker

[00:02–00:46]

• The United States is reportedly seeking to seize a third oil tanker suspected of facilitating Venezuela’s evasion of U.S. sanctions.
• Ainsley Earhart: “This oil tanker is part of Venezuela's illegal sanctions evasion… The pursuit comes after the US Coast Guard intercepted a second oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela on Saturday.”
• Not all Republicans support the strategy, but many are backing President Trump’s escalation against Maduro’s regime.
• The pressure campaign targets Venezuela’s oil exports, impacting both Venezuela and dependent countries like Cuba.

2. White House Plans for New U.S. Battleship

[00:46–01:32]

• President Trump is expected to announce a new class of U.S. battleship, part of a "golden fleet" vision for naval expansion, including up to 50 support ships.
• Paul Stevens: “Plans meantime expected to be announced from the White House at this hour for a new large warship that President Trump is calling a battleship…”

3. Legal Battle: Kilmar Abrego Garcia

[01:32–01:42]

• Ongoing legal debate over whether federal authorities can re-detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia, recently released from detention.
• Garcia wishes to accept refugee status in Costa Rica, but the U.S. government is contemplating sending him to Africa instead.
• Barry Weiss (defense attorney): "He is trying to carry out what the government claims to want in this case, which is his removal from the United States. And they're the ones who are preventing that from happening." [01:32]

4. Deportation and MS-13 Allegations

[01:42–02:00]

• The White House states it deported Garcia to El Salvador in March, labeling him a member of the MS-13 gang. Garcia reportedly entered the U.S. illegally.

5. (Skipped Advertisement)

[02:00–02:30]

6. CBS Pulls “60 Minutes” Segment on El Salvador’s Prison

[02:30–03:15]

• CBS News withheld a “60 Minutes” report on El Salvador’s maximum security prison, “Seekot,” citing insufficient reporting.
• The prison holds Venezuelan migrants accused of terrorism and gang activity, many sent during the Trump administration.
• Barry Wise (CBS Editor-in-Chief): “The public knows that Venezuelans have been subjected to horrific treatment at this prison. To run a story on this subject two months later, we need to do more, and this is 60 Minutes. We need to be able to get the principals on the record and on camera.” [02:58]
• The segment reportedly will air in the future; reporter Sharon Alfonsi claims it is being suppressed for political, not editorial, reasons.

7. Third Russian General Killed by Car Bomb

[03:15–03:53]

• Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvorov, a senior figure in the Russian military, was killed by a car bomb—marking the third senior officer killed this year.
• No group has yet claimed responsibility.

8. Death of Vince Zampella, Video Game Pioneer

[03:53–04:24]

• Vince Zampella, co-creator of “Call of Duty” and founder of Respawn Entertainment (“Titanfall,” “Apex Legends,” “Star Wars Jedi”), died in a car accident at age 55.
• Vince Zampella Narrator: “He worked on Electronic Arts Medal of Honor series before starting his own imprint called Infinity Ward, where they developed and put together Call of the World War II inspired shooter that has since spawned a franchise.” [03:53]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Ainsley Earhart on U.S. sanctions:
  “Targeting Venezuela's oil sector will have ripple effects in Cuba, too, which relies on crude imports from the country.” [00:26]

• Barry Weiss (defense attorney) on Garcia's removal:
  “He is trying to carry out what the government claims to want in this case, which is his removal from the United States. And they're the ones who are preventing that from happening.” [01:32]

• Barry Wise (CBS News) on editorial standards:
  “This is 60 Minutes. We need to be able to get the principals on the record and on camera.” [02:58]

• Vince Zampella’s legacy:
  “He worked on Electronic Arts Medal of Honor series before starting his own imprint called Infinity Ward, where they developed and put together Call of the World War II inspired shooter that has since spawned a franchise.” [03:53]

Important Timestamps

• [00:02] — U.S. oil tanker seizure plan revealed
• [00:46] — New U.S. battleship plans announced
• [01:32] — Kilmar Abrego Garcia legal proceedings
• [02:30] — CBS pulls "60 Minutes" segment
• [03:15] — Russian general killed in car bombing
• [03:53] — Death of Vince Zampella

Summary

This Fox News Hourly Update delivers a fast-paced, hard news-focused digest of critical global and U.S. developments. The episode covers the ongoing confrontation between the U.S. and Venezuela over oil sanctions, major shifts in U.S. military policy, high-profile legal battles connected to immigration and MS-13, press freedom issues in reporting on El Salvador, escalations within the Russian military apparatus, and a significant loss in the gaming world, all presented in FOX News’ direct, reportorial style.