5PM ET 12/29/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 5PM ET 12/29/2025 Newscast

Main Theme:
This episode delivers concise updates on major national and international news, focusing on U.S.-Israeli diplomatic efforts in Gaza, U.S. stance on Iran, anti-drug operations in Venezuela, and upcoming political events in New York City.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Push for Peace in Gaza

• Bilateral Meeting:
  President Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, aiming to further a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza amid ongoing challenges.
• Ceasefire and Reconstruction:
  The next phase of the proposed peace involves international supervision of Gaza’s rebuilding, described as a fragile but necessary step.
• Trump’s Perspective:
  • “What a mess it is and it's been a mess for centuries. Really. It's been a mess for a long time. It seems to be born for that. But we're going to, we're going to straighten it out.” – [President Donald Trump, 00:24]
• Netanyahu’s Gratitude:
  • “Never had a friend by President Trump in the White House. It's not even close...I think Israel is very blessed.” – [Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, 00:47]
• Hostage Update:
  Out of 251 hostages taken in the conflict, all have been accounted for except one.

2. U.S. Stance on Iran’s Weapons Program

• Intelligence and Threats:
  Reports suggest Iran is developing chemical and biological warheads, moving missile infrastructure to eastern Iran.
• Trump’s Warning:
  • “Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again and if they are, we're going to have to knock them down. We'll knock them down. We'll knock the hell out of them. But hopefully that's not happening.” – [President Donald Trump, 01:21]
• Missile Moves:
  The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is reportedly exploring non-conventional warheads for long-range missiles to reduce vulnerability.

3. U.S. Counter-Narcotics Efforts in Venezuela

• Recent Strikes:
  The U.S. targeted a Venezuelan dock area believed to be used for loading drugs onto boats.
  • “We hit all the boats and now we hit the area. It's the implementation area. That's where they implement and that is no longer around.” – [President Donald Trump, 02:29]
• Details Withheld:
  Trump did not clarify whether the strike was a military or CIA operation.
  • “I know exactly who it was, but I don't want to say who it was, but you know, it was along the shore.” – [President Donald Trump, 02:46]
• Ongoing Campaign:
  Since September, Trump has warned of land attacks to disrupt cartels.

4. New York City's Historic Inauguration and New Year’s Plans

• Zohran Mamdani’s Inauguration:
  • The mayor-elect will be sworn in privately before midnight on January 1, with AG Letitia James administering the oath.
  • A public ceremony and block party will follow, with Senator Bernie Sanders conducting a public swearing-in influenced by his progressive values.
  • Focus on “free buses and free childcare” promises. – [Angelo Bavaro, 03:09]
• New Year’s Eve Preparations:
  • Mamdani will participate in Times Square’s celebration; “test launch” of confetti conducted at Planet Fitness center stage.
  • A new Times Square ball and 3,000 pounds of confetti prepared for the festivities.

5. Other News

• Sports Update:
  The Pittsburgh Steelers will honor DK Metcalfe's $45 million in guaranteed money despite his 2-game suspension for an altercation with a fan.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump on Gaza:
  “What a mess it is and it's been a mess for centuries. Really. It's been a mess for a long time. It seems to be born for that. But we're going to, we're going to straighten it out.” [00:24]
• Netanyahu on U.S.-Israel Relations:
  “Never had a friend by President Trump in the White House. It's not even close...I think Israel is very blessed.” [00:47]
• Trump’s Warning to Iran:
  “We're going to have to knock them down. We'll knock them down. We'll knock the hell out of them.” [01:21]
• Trump on Venezuela Strike:
  “We hit all the boats and now we hit the area...that is no longer around.” [02:29]
• New Year’s Countdown:
  “5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Confident.” – President Trump, participating in the confetti test launch. [03:59]

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Important Timestamps

• 00:02 – U.S., Israel press for Gaza ceasefire
• 00:21-01:29 – Iran missile threat, Trump’s comments
• 02:23 – Venezuela anti-narcotics strike
• 03:09 – NY mayor-elect Mamdani’s inauguration news
• 03:46-04:05 – Times Square New Year's Eve preparations

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For more episodes and updates, visit Fox News Podcasts.

Transcript

[John Saucier]

Protecting a fragile peace. I'm John Saucier, Fox News. President Trump hosting a bilateral meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today. This is the President's Mar a Lago resort in Florida trying to push a U S brokered ceasefire in Gaza which has been facing challenges. Moving into the second phase involves rebuilding Gaza under international supervision. President Trump says the war has been a disaster, explains Mr. Netanyahu is ready to end it.

[President Donald Trump]

What a mess it is and it's been a mess for centuries. Really. It's been a mess for a long time. It seems to be born for that. But we're going to, we're going to straighten it out.

[John Saucier]

The second phase of this cease fire involves rebuilding Gaza under international supervision. Prime Minister Netanyahu says he's thankful to have President Trump as a leader for the United States.

[Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu]

Never had a friend by President Trump in the White House. It's not even close and I think you can judge that by the, not merely by the frequency of our meetings but by the content and the intensity. I think Israel is very blessed.

[John Saucier]

So far one the 251 hostages taken have been released either alive or dead. There is one remaining. Iran reportedly is developing chemical and biological warheads for its ballistic missiles. President Trump spoke to reporters before the meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu says the United States will attack Iran if a nuclear program continues.

[President Donald Trump]

Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again and if they are, we're going to have to knock them down. We'll knock them down. We'll knock the hell out of them. But hopefully that's not happening.

[John Saucier]

According to Iran, international missile infrastructure has been repositioned and expanded with some launch assets reportedly moved to eastern Iran to reduce vulnerability. This report claims the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is exploring non conventional warhead arrangements for long range missiles. And the Pittsburgh Steelers not going to void DK Metcalfe's $45 million in future guaranteed money. He was suspended two games for an interaction with a fan. America is listening to Fox News. This is Ainsley Earhart.

[President Donald Trump]

Thank you for joining me for the.

[John Saucier]

52 episode podcast series the Life of Jesus. A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort, understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts. President Trump says the United States took out a big Venezuelan facility on the country's coast. Fox's Jared Halpern in Washington with more.

[Jared Halpern]

The target was a dock area in Venezuela where President Trump alleges drugs are loaded onto boats.

[President Donald Trump]

We hit all the boats and now we hit the area. It's the implementation area. That's where they implement and that is no longer around.

[Jared Halpern]

Speaking with reporters at Mar A Lago, the president would not offer details on the strike or say if it was carried out by the military or the CIA.

[President Donald Trump]

I know exactly who it was, but I don't want to say who it was, but you know, it was along the shore.

[Jared Halpern]

Since launching strikes on alleged drug boats in September, President Trump has warned of potential attacks on land to disrupt drug cartels. In Washington, Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[John Saucier]

We are learning more about New York City Mayor elect Zoran Mamdani's inauguration plans to ring in the new year. Fox's Angelo Bavaro has more in this upcoming ceremony.

[Angelo Bavaro]

Zohran Mamdani is set to be sworn in during a private ceremony just before midnight on January 1st. Attorney General Letitia James will administer the oath of office. Later in the day, there will be a public ceremony on the steps of city hall along with a block party celebration. Fellow socialist Vermont independent Senator Bernie Sanders will do this wearing in then, according to the mayor elect's campaign, it was Sanders quote unapologetic progressive values that inspired Mamdani to run for office. He will try to make good on those promises of free buses and free childcare. ANGELO bavaro, FOX NEWS Mom Donnie will.

[John Saucier]

Be part of the New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square in New York City where that new ball they put up is going to drop this week. They're organizing the global spectacle and they test launched the confetti from the Planet Fitness center stage today. Getting ready for the party. Just make sure that confetti shoots.

[President Donald Trump]

5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Confident.

[John Saucier]

£3,000 of confetti for New Year's this year. I'm John Saucier and this is FOX News.