5PM ET 12/26/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update - 5PM ET 12/26/2025 Newscast

Main Theme:
This episode delivers an up-to-the-minute rundown of top national and international news, covering major events including US military action in Nigeria, a violent incident in North Carolina, updates on Ukraine peace talks, a travel weather advisory, controversy over an ICE van incident, and commentary on US tax policy.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US Strike on ISIS in Nigeria

• President Trump's Announcement:
  President Trump declared that the US conducted a major strike on ISIS terrorists in northwest Nigeria, who have recently escalated attacks targeting both Christians and Muslims.
  • "The United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in northwest Nigeria who have been targeting and viciously killing primarily innocent Christians at levels not seen for many years and even centuries." — President Trump (quoted by Host, 00:21)
• Nigerian Government’s Response:
  • Nigerian officials rejected Trump's assertion that violence in Nigeria constitutes genocide exclusively against Christians, emphasizing that Muslims are also victims of ISIS attacks.
  • The military operation was coordinated with Nigerian forces.

2. Police Shootout in Mint Hill, North Carolina

• Incident Details:
  • A child custody exchange turned violent outside a store near Charlotte, resulting in two Mint Hill police officers suffering critical injuries and the shooter being killed.
  • A witness account:
    "They saw two officers go inside that store and then one officer lead the other outside with blood on their hands." — Jared Halpern, FOX News (01:07)
• Location:
  Mint Hill, North Carolina.

3. Stabbing Attacks in Paris Metro Stations

• Event Summary:
  • A man attacked three women at separate metro stations in Paris.
  • Police arrested the suspect and confirmed the attacks were not terror-related.
  • All victims are expected to recover.
• Reporter:
  Carmen Roberts highlights that the motive appears unrelated to terrorism. (01:19)

4. Severe Winter Weather Advisory in the US Northeast

• Warning Issued:
  • NYC Metro is included in an icing warning for the first time in almost 4 years.
  • The warning stretches from NYC through the Poconos, upstate New York, and west to Syracuse.
• Expected Impacts:
  • "Icing that's happening across western into central parts of PA. Some areas may see in excess of a quarter inch. Look out for power outages and unfortunately very treacherous travel conditions." — Ian Oliver, FOX Weather (01:38)

5. US-Ukraine Peace Negotiations

• Upcoming Meeting:
  • President Trump will meet Ukraine’s President Zelensky in Florida, aiming to solidify a peace deal proposal to present to Russia.
  • Progress: Zelensky is optimistic, stating "Ukraine and the US are 90% of the way there," but requests clear assurances from the US regarding military support.
  • On-the-ground: Russian forces are reportedly vulnerable in northeast Ukraine, facing supply disruptions and some surrenders.
• Reporter:
  Madison Scarpino provides analysis. (03:19)

6. ICE Agents Targeted in Maryland

• Incident:
  • On Christmas Eve, an alleged attempt was made to run over ICE agents in Maryland.
  • Deputy ICE Director Madison Sheehan criticized lawmakers for rhetoric that, according to him, encourages violence against officers:
  • "Democrat lawmakers continue to use this dangerous rhetoric. They're pushing this narrative online that if an ICE officer attacks, you should use your vehicle to ram against them. This is dangerous. This is puts our officers in dangerous. This puts the aliens in danger. These aliens that they swear they're here to protect."
    — Madison Sheehan, Deputy ICE Director (03:37)

7. IRS & Tax Refunds; Public Perception of US Economy

• IRS Prediction:
  • The IRS predicts record income tax refunds for the next year.
• Legislative Impact:
  • Rep. David Coust (R-TN) attributes the increased refunds to the recent tax reform bill, highlighting lower rates and the elimination of tax on tips and overtime.
  • "It's all about putting more money in people's pockets that they earned and that they deserve to spend or invest however they want to. It's going to be great for the economy." — Rep. David Coust (04:09)
• Public Sentiment:
  • A recent Fox News survey found 72% of Americans still feel negatively about the economy.
  • Host Carmen Roberts underscores the disconnect between policy changes and popular perception. (04:17)

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Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• US Action in Nigeria:
  "The United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum..."
  — President Trump, quoted at 00:21

• Witness Account from North Carolina:
  "They saw two officers go inside that store and then one officer lead the other outside with blood on their hands."
  — Jared Halpern, 01:07

• Weather Warning:
  "Some areas may see in excess of a quarter inch. Look out for power outages and unfortunately very treacherous travel conditions."
  — Ian Oliver, 01:48

• ICE Official’s Criticism:
  "Democrat lawmakers continue to use this dangerous rhetoric..."
  — Madison Sheehan, 03:37

• Tax Policy Impact:
  "It's all about putting more money in people's pockets that they earned..."
  — Rep. David Coust, 04:09

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Important Timestamps

• 00:02 — Nigeria government responds to Trump’s claims; US military strike against ISIS.
• 00:53 — Mint Hill, NC police shootout during custody exchange.
• 01:19 — Stabbing attacks on Paris Metro.
• 01:32 — Severe icing warning for US Northeast.
• 02:31 — Trump-Zelensky meeting on Ukraine peace efforts.
• 03:19 — ICE incident in Maryland, comments from deputy director.
• 04:06 — IRS tax refund predictions and comments on new tax policy.
• 04:17 — Survey on Americans' views of the economy.

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Tone & Style

The coverage is swift, direct, and urgent—matching the tone expected of an hourly newscast. Reporting is fact-driven, but the inclusion of official quotes and political comments introduces a layer of commentary and debate.

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This summary provides a comprehensive, time-stamped review of the major news events and discussions from the Fox News 5PM ET newscast on December 26, 2025, helping listeners catch up on key issues, quotes, and policy debates of the day.

Transcript

[A]

It's not just the Christians. I'm Carmen Roberts, Fox News. Nigeria's government rejects President Trump's claim about genocide of Christians and says that ISIS terrorists are also killing many Muslims.

[B]

President Trump threatening to kill many more terrorists if the murders there continue. The president announcing the strike on Christmas night saying in part, quote, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in northwest Nigeria who have been targeting and viciously killing primarily innocent Christians at levels not seen for many years and even centuries. A military official tells the Times the operation was done in coordination with the Nigerian military. The deadly strikes come after a surge of attacks on Christians and Christian institutions in Nigeria. President Trump has previously lashed out on the country's government for having done nothing to stop the killings, even threatening to cut off aid.

[A]

Fox's Madison Scarpino reporting. A child custody exchange near Charlotte, North Carolina turns into a shootout with two Mint Hill cops critically injured and the gunman dead.

[C]

Police say the suspect pulled a gun and started shooting outside a store this morning where the exchange was taking place. Witnesses say they saw two officers go inside that store and then one officer lead the other outside with blood on their hands. Jared Halpern, FOX News in Paris.

[A]

A man stabbed three women at different metro stations today. Police arrested the suspect and say the attacks are not terror related. The women's injuries are believed to be non life threatening. And it's tough travel day, especially in the northeast.

[D]

New York City Metro included in a warning for the first time in almost four years but now all the way back to the Poconos, up to the capital region of New York and back west to Syracuse. Icing that's happening across western into central parts of pa. Some areas may see in excess of a quarter inch. Look out for power outages and unfortunately very treacherous travel conditions.

[A]

FOX Weather's Ian Oliver. America's Listening to FOX News.

[E]

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[A]

President Trump is set to meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky in Florida Sunday as they work on a peace deal to present to Russia when it comes to.

[B]

The years long war in Ukraine. President Zelensky seems to be pleased with a peace plan the US Is proposing. Zelensky is reportedly set to visit Mar? A Lago on Sunday to speak with President Trump further about this. And while the Russians rejected a Christmas cease fire, they appear to be vulnerable on the front lines. That includes a northeast of Ukraine where the Russians are seemingly cut off from resupply lines and some are even surrendering, according to the head of communication for Ukraine's joint forces. But Ukraine is wanting assurance that the US Will back them up in the event that Russia would decide to invade again. Zelensky says Ukraine and the US are 90% of the way there, but he wants to know what the Ukrainian military can count on from the U.S. fox's.

[A]

Madison Scarpino A surprise this Christmas for some ICE agents in Maryland. They allege that a van tried to run them over Christmas Eve. Deputy ICE Director Madison Sheehan tells Fox.

[F]

News Democrat lawmakers continue to use this dangerous rhetoric. They're pushing this narrative online that if an ICE officer attacks, you should use your vehicle to ram against them. This is dangerous. This is puts our officers in dangerous. This puts the aliens in danger. These aliens that they swear they're here to protect this.

[A]

As ICE operations continue in several states, including Ohio and now Louisiana, head of the IRS predicts record income tax refunds next year. And GOP Congressman David Coust of Tennessee tells Fox News it's partially due to the the big beautiful bill lowering tax rates and getting rid of taxes on tips and overtime.

[G]

It's all about putting more money in people's pockets that they earned and that they deserve to spend or invest however they want to. It's going to be great for the economy.

[A]

Still, a recent Fox News survey shows 72% of Americans still have a negative view of the economy. I'm Carmen Roberts and this is FOX News.

[H]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[I]

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.