Fox News Hourly Update — 6AM ET 10/18/2025 Newscast

Host: Debra Valentine (and FOX News reporting team)
Date: October 18, 2025
Episode Theme:
This episode focuses on President Trump’s efforts to mediate in the Ukraine war, updates on Israeli hostages and Trump’s Middle East peace deal, a US anti-narcotics operation off Venezuela, the commutation of George Santos’ sentence, and a funding dispute between the Department of Transportation and California.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump: "Mediator President" and Ukraine Peace Efforts

• [00:02–00:43]
  • President Trump hosted Ukraine’s President Zelensky at the White House, reinforcing his self-designated role as the “mediator president.”
  • Zelensky is reportedly offering a trade: Tomahawk missiles from the US in exchange for Ukrainian drones.
  • U.S. officials, including Trump, are cautious about supplying Tomahawk missiles due to concerns about depleting stockpiles.

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Doocy: “President Trump referred to himself. He gave himself a new title, the mediator president.” [00:17]

• Sean Duffy: “The United States has Tomahawks and other missiles, very strong missiles, but they can have our thousands of drones.” [00:36]

• A potential Trump–Putin meeting is on the horizon, though Zelensky will likely not be directly involved. Trump cited “too much bad blood.”

• Trump is optimistic the war might be approaching “the beginning of the end,” especially with renewed dialogue around missile support.

2. Israel, Hamas, and President Trump’s 20-point Peace Deal

• [01:00–01:39]
  • Return of another deceased Israeli hostage as part of Trump’s peace plan: so far, 20 living hostages and 10 bodies recovered; 18 bodies remain missing.
  • Trump warned Israel would resume fighting if Hamas does not return all hostages.
  • Hamas requested equipment to help recover bodies, stating some bodies are still unaccounted for in rubble.

Notable Quotes:

• Chanley Painter: “President Trump warns he will greenlight Israel to resume the war if Hamas doesn't return all hostages.” [01:24]

  • Ongoing humanitarian aid into Gaza and continued negotiations about Hamas disarmament and future governance.
  • Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East expected in Israel next week.

3. US Navy Strikes on Drug Trafficking Vessels near Venezuela

• [03:12–04:01]
  • Recent US strike rescued two people, with two fatalities, after targeting a suspected drug submarine vessel from Venezuela.
  • Trump administration confirms 27 deaths in similar strikes recently, with this being the first incident involving survivors.
  • First-ever president-confirmed CIA operation inside Venezuela.
  • Venezuela’s UN Ambassador called for the strikes to be declared illegal; Pentagon argues the US is engaged in a “non-international armed conflict.”

Notable Quotes:

• Jessica Rosenthal: “This is according to Reuters. It was the sixth such strike in recent weeks. The Trump administration says 27 people have been killed in these strikes. It’s the first time, though there are survivors.” [03:27]

4. President Trump Commutes George Santos’ Sentence

• [04:01–04:25]
  • Trump commuted the sentence of former NY Rep. George Santos (fraud and identity theft), facilitating immediate release from prison.
  • Santos admitted to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of 11 individuals, including family members.

Notable Quotes:

• Debra Valentine: “Trump posting just signed a commutation releasing Santos from prison immediately. Good luck, George. Have a great life.” [04:25]

5. Federal Funding Withheld from California over Driver Language Requirements

• [04:25–05:01]
  • The Transportation Department is pulling $40 million in funds from California, citing failure to comply with the federal requirement that licensed commercial drivers speak English.
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stressed this is a long-standing law now being enforced, stating safety concerns regarding English-speaking requirements.
  • California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office countered that California truck drivers have a better crash rate than the national average.

Notable Quotes:

• Sean Duffy: “This is a long standing rule. It's been on the books for for decades. It's just that we are now enforcing the law and saying you have to speak English. You have to be able to read road signs in English.” [04:50]

Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps

• “President Trump referred to himself. He gave himself a new title, the mediator president.”
  — Peter Doocy [00:17]
• “The United States has Tomahawks and other missiles, very strong missiles, but they can have our thousands of drones.”
  — Sean Duffy [00:36]
• “President Trump warns he will greenlight Israel to resume the war if Hamas doesn't return all hostages.”
  — Chanley Painter [01:24]
• “It was the sixth such strike in recent weeks. The Trump administration says 27 people have been killed in these strikes. It’s the first time, though there are survivors.”
  — Jessica Rosenthal [03:27]
• “Trump posting just signed a commutation releasing Santos from prison immediately. Good luck, George. Have a great life.”
  — Debra Valentine [04:25]
• “You have to speak English. You have to be able to read road signs in English.”
  — Sean Duffy [04:50]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ukraine Peace Talks, Tomahawks-for-Drones Deal: 00:02–00:43
• Israel Hostage Update & Middle East Peace Deal: 01:00–01:39
• US Navy Drug Vessel Interdiction, CIA Ops: 03:12–04:01
• George Santos Sentence Commuted: 04:01–04:25
• California Funding Withheld Over English Rule: 04:25–05:01

This summary covers the main news stories, provides context, and highlights the notable quotes and developments from the 6AM Fox News Hourly Update on October 18, 2025.