Fox News Hourly Update – 5PM ET, December 23, 2025

Host: Paul Stevens (FOX News)
Episode Theme: This newscast provides a concise rundown of the day’s top national news stories, covering Supreme Court action on National Guard deployments, the latest US economic numbers, revelations related to Jeffrey Epstein, an unusual self-deportation program, religious leaders’ calls for holiday deportation pauses, and Medicaid payment issues.

Main Theme

The episode centers around major ongoing national issues: the Supreme Court’s intervention in National Guard deployment, updates on the US economy, newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents, evolving immigration enforcement strategies during the holidays, and notable Medicaid waste.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Supreme Court Blocks National Guard Deployment in Chicago (00:03–00:48)

• Summary:
  The U.S. Supreme Court issued an order blocking, for now, President Trump’s attempt to deploy the National Guard to Chicago as part of a crackdown on crime and immigration.
• Details:
  • The Trump administration has not identified clear legal authority allowing military enforcement of domestic law.
  • The Supreme Court’s action preserves a lower court block on deployment—not a final ruling, but a significant temporary obstacle for the administration.
  • Noteworthy dissent from conservative Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Neil Gorsuch.
• Quote (Jared Halpern, 00:11):
  “Conservative Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch dissented from the majority.”
• Memorable moment:
  Dissent highlights a split on the Court and ongoing legal uncertainty surrounding the executive’s authority in domestic security matters.

2. Robust US Economic Growth (00:48–01:13)

• Summary:
  The US economy showed impressive growth with an annualized 4.3% rate from July to September, surpassing expectations.
• Details:
  • All major sectors—consumer spending, exports, and government spending—contributed.
  • The White House characterized this as a vindication of President Trump’s “America First” agenda and a decisive break from prior economic struggles.
• Quote (White House Statement, read by Darren Botello, 00:57):
  “Today’s blockbuster, expectations-smashing GDP report is the latest proof that President Trump’s America First trade and economic agenda continues to turn the page on the Biden economic disaster. American consumers are spending and American exports are surging.”

3. Jeffrey Epstein Documents Released (01:13–01:40)

• Summary:
  The Department of Justice released new documents in the Epstein/Maxwell cases.
• Details:
  • The release includes court documents, emails, and media clippings.
  • Notably, there’s confirmation that Epstein had a fake passport from the 1980s, listing Saudi Arabia as his residence.
• Quote (Alexandria Hoff, 01:22):
  “Revelations are there, like a fake passport that Epstein used in the 80s listing Saudi Arabia as his place of residence.”

4. Former Senator Ben Sasse Diagnosed with Cancer (01:40–02:00)

• Summary:
  Former Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse announced a diagnosis of advanced pancreatic cancer via social media, having received the news the prior week.

5. Russia’s Major Drone and Missile Attack on Ukraine (02:31–02:45)

• Summary:
  Russian forces launched over 650 drones and three dozen missiles at Ukraine in a major overnight assault.

6. US Offers Incentives for Self-Deportation (02:45–03:27)

• Summary:
  DHS boosts its stipend for undocumented immigrants who voluntarily self-deport to $3,000 (up from $1,000) and provides a free plane ride home for the holidays.
• Details:
  • Framed as a tax-saving measure; officials say each self-deportation saves up to $1 million in future welfare costs.
  • Over 1.9 million people have reportedly self-deported since the program began.
• Quote (Stephen Miller, 02:45):
  “Each self deportation saves taxpayers up to a million dollars or more in future benefits paid to illegals and their children.”

7. Religious Leaders Request Holiday Pause on Deportations (03:21–04:10)

• Summary:
  Catholic bishops, including Miami’s archbishop and supported by Pope Leo, urge President Trump and Governor DeSantis to temporarily suspend immigration enforcement over Christmas.
• Details:
  • The White House said it will continue “business as usual” during the holidays.
  • Archbishop Wensky argues that enforcement is harming non-criminal migrants and border security is adequate.
• Quote (Miami Archbishop Thomas Wensky, relayed by Ryan Schmelz, 03:27):
  “We have to look for ways of treating people humanely.”
• Notable moment:
  The story underscores divisions within American society on immigration policy and the role of the holidays in calls for leniency.

8. Medicaid Overpayments Uncovered (04:10–04:28)

• Summary:
  A federal report revealed that Medicaid improperly paid over $200 million to healthcare providers in 2021–2022 on behalf of deceased beneficiaries.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Supreme Court dissent and legal authority (00:11):
  • “Conservative Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch dissented from the majority.” – Jared Halpern
• On economic momentum (00:57):
  • “Today’s blockbuster, expectations-smashing GDP report is the latest proof that President Trump’s America First trade and economic agenda continues to turn the page on the Biden economic disaster…” – White House statement via Darren Botello
• On unique Epstein revelation (01:22):
  • “…a fake passport that Epstein used in the 80s listing Saudi Arabia as his place of residence.” – Alexandria Hoff
• On self-deportation savings (02:45):
  • “Each self deportation saves taxpayers up to a million dollars or more in future benefits paid to illegals and their children.” – Stephen Miller
• On holiday enforcement and humane treatment (03:27):
  • “We have to look for ways of treating people humanely.” – Archbishop Thomas Wensky

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Supreme Court blocks National Guard deployment: 00:03–00:48
• US economic growth/GDP report: 00:48–01:13
• Epstein document revelations: 01:13–01:40
• Ben Sasse cancer diagnosis: 01:40–02:00
• Russia attacks Ukraine: 02:31–02:45
• Self-deportation program: 02:45–03:21
• Religious leaders’ holiday pause appeal: 03:21–04:10
• Medicaid improper payments report: 04:10–04:28

Conclusion

This Fox News Hourly Update captures the pulse of late December 2025, with fast-moving stories about Supreme Court limitations on presidential power, the state of the economy, breaking developments in major scandals, innovative (and contentious) immigration policies, societal debates over humane enforcement during the holidays, and persistent government waste. The reporting blends factual, at-times provocative coverage with competing perspectives from officials, religious leaders, and the administration.