Fox News Hourly Update – 6PM ET 10/23/2025

Overview:
This episode delivers a fast-paced roundup of the day’s top political, legal, and international news, with the primary focus on President Trump’s aggressive actions against drug trafficking, the NBA gambling scandal, immigration and fraud issues, a historic religious meeting, and labor developments on Broadway.

Major Stories & Key Discussion Points

1. U.S. Military Strikes Against Drug Boats (00:02–01:04)

• President Trump addressed the escalation of U.S. military action against suspected drug boats near Venezuela.
  • Details: Nine strikes so far, including two recent ones in the Pacific Ocean.
  • Quote [00:10]:
    Fox News Correspondent:
    “Usually when you see five engines, I’ve never even seen that before. But when you see five engines on a boat going about 65 miles an hour loaded up with white powder in silver cases, generally speaking, that’s not a good sign.”
  • Policy: Trump underlines he will not seek a formal declaration of war from Congress, but asserts a hardline approach: “the military will kill people who are bringing drugs into the country.”
  • Trump denies reports of B1 bombers heading to Venezuela, despite evidence that two departed from a Texas air base earlier in the day.

2. Government Shutdown and Private Donation Claim (01:04–01:15)

• Shutdown reaches day 23 with President Trump continuing to blame Democrats for the impasse.
• Trump claims receipt of an anonymous $130 million private donation to cover military salaries.
  • Quote [01:04]:
    Fox News Correspondent:
    “He called us the other day and he said, 'I’d like to contribute any shortfall you have because of the Democrat shutdown. I’d like to contribute, personally contribute any shortfall you have with the military.'”
  • Donor remains unnamed.

3. NBA Gambling & Match-Fixing Scandal (01:15–02:03)

• More than 30 current and former NBA coaches and players charged in a nationwide illegal poker and match-fixing scheme.
  • Notable individuals:
    • Chauncey Billups, Portland Trailblazers coach
    • Terry Rozier, Miami Heat guard
• U.S. Attorney Joseph Nosella issues warning about violating the law.
  • Memorable Moment [01:32]:
    Lisa Licera:
    “Violating the law is a losing proposition and you can bet on that.”
• NBA Players Association responds:
  • Emphasizes: "The integrity of the game is paramount to NBA players, but so is the presumption of innocence."

4. Illegal Immigrant Charged in Fatal Crash & Fraud (02:30–03:19)

• Porco Stankovic, an illegal immigrant from Serbia:
  • Incident: Accused of killing a man in Indiana (October 15) during a reckless truck crash.
  • Allegations: Lacked commercial driver’s license and has a criminal history out of New York.
  • Accused of illegally securing $36,000 in PPP loans during the pandemic.
  • Quote [03:03]:
    Rosemary Jenks, Immigration Accountability Project:
    “Those dollars should be reserved for Americans.”
  • Stankovic has been in the U.S. illegally since 2011.

5. Historic Papal-Anglican Meeting (03:19–04:01)

• For the first time since the 16th century:
  • Pope Leo meets King Charles in the Sistine Chapel.
  • Both prayed together, marking the first such event since the Church of England split from Rome in 1534.
  • Quote [03:29]:
    Jonathan Savage:
    “Their voices intertwined in prayer, Pope Leo and King Charles share a moment in the Sistine Chapel.”
  • Occasion seen as a step toward closer ties; included a private meeting with Queen Camilla present.

6. Broadway Musicians’ Union Reaches Deal (04:01–04:27)

• The American Federation of Musicians reached a tentative deal with commercial producers, avoiding a potential strike.
  • Follows closely on the heels of a separate agreement with the Actors Equity union.
  • Quote [04:01]:
    Lisa Licera:
    “It’s the second Broadway labor deal in less than a week after producers reached a deal with the Actors Equity.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On military anti-drug efforts:
  “Five engines on a boat going about 65 miles an hour loaded up with white powder in silver cases, generally speaking, that’s not a good sign.” – Fox News Correspondent [00:10]

• On government shutdown contributions:
  “I’d like to contribute personally... any shortfall you have with the military.” – Fox News Correspondent quoting President Trump [01:04]

• On the NBA scandal:
  “Violating the law is a losing proposition and you can bet on that.” – Lisa Licera quoting U.S. Attorney Joseph Nosella [01:32]

• On PPP fraud and immigration:
  “Those dollars should be reserved for Americans.” – Rosemary Jenks [03:03]

• On the papal-royal meeting:
  “Their voices intertwined in prayer, Pope Leo and King Charles share a moment in the Sistine Chapel.” – Jonathan Savage [03:29]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:02: Trump on strikes against suspected drug boats
• 01:04: Shutdown and anonymous military salary donation
• 01:15: NBA match-fixing charges announced
• 02:30: Indiana truck crash, PPP loan fraud, and illegal immigration
• 03:19: Pope Leo and King Charles’s historic meeting
• 04:01: Broadway musicians avert strike

This summary covers all important topics and soundbites from the Fox News Hourly Update, 6PM ET 10/23/2025 episode, providing a full snapshot for those who missed the broadcast.