7AM ET 11/21/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 7AM ET, November 21, 2025

Episode Overview
This episode delivers a roundup of key political, international, and domestic news stories, focusing on developments in U.S. politics regarding socialism, diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, a dramatic shift in CDC vaccine guidance, and tributes to a decorated veteran. The tone remains brisk and news-driven, fitting the Fox News style.

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1. Washington Tackles Socialism [00:03–00:37]

• Headline: The House prepares to vote on a resolution condemning socialism, coinciding with a contentious meeting between President Trump and New York City’s incoming mayor, Zoran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist.
• Political Drama:
  • The White House brands Mamdani a “communist,” underscoring ongoing friction.
  • Noteworthy Quote:

    “Mamdani once promised that his administration would be the president's worst nightmare yet.” — Madeleine Rivera [00:20]

  • Despite harsh words, both leaders express a desire for positive cooperation:

    “They want everything to work out well for New York.” — Madeleine Rivera recounting President Trump's comment [00:33]

• Debate in the House:
  • Some Democrats object to the resolution’s lack of a clear definition of socialism.

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2. Potential Peace in Ukraine? [00:37–01:17]

• Headline: Quiet diplomacy leads to a proposed peace plan for the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• Details:
  • U.S. diplomats present a framework intended to end the years-long war.
  • White House maintains optimism:

    “The president supports this plan. It's a good plan for both Russia and Ukraine. And we believe that it should be acceptable to both sides and we're working very hard to get it done.” — Pete Hegseth [01:03]

  • Officials refuse to share specifics, denying reports that the deal would favor Russia.
• Continued Hostilities:
  • Russia targets Ukrainian energy infrastructure as winter looms.

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3. Domestic Developments [01:17–01:59]

• Energy Policy:
  • The Trump administration proposes opening offshore federal waters in California and Florida to oil drilling for the first time in decades.
• Aviation Disaster Update:
  • NTSB releases details of the Louisville UPS cargo plane crash.
    • Cause: Structural failure – the left engine detached mid-flight due to cracks in engine mounts.
    • Fatalities: 14 people.
• Markets:
  • Dow Jones fell by 386 points, Nasdaq down 486, but futures are trending over 100 points higher this morning.

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4. CDC Vaccine Autism Controversy [02:30–03:21]

• Headline: The CDC updates language on its website, now suggesting a possible link between childhood vaccines and autism, challenging longstanding public health positions.
• Details:
  • The site states that saying “vaccines are not a cause for autism” is not evidence-based.
  • Prior studies supporting a link had previously been dismissed but are now acknowledged.

    “Prior studies which support a link between vaccines and autism had been disregarded by health authorities.” — Grinhaus Scott [02:43]

  • The move aligns with Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr.'s previous public statements, surprising CDC insiders.
• Uncertainty:
  • It’s unclear if the website change was internally motivated or directed by Kennedy.

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5. National & Human Interest [03:21–04:21]

• Death Penalty:
  • Richard Randolph receives a lethal injection in Florida for a 1988 murder.
• Military Tribute:
  • Arlington National Cemetery holds a funeral for Army Sergeant Michael Verardo, wounded multiple times in Afghanistan, survivor of 120 surgeries, and advocate for disabled veterans.
    • Notable Quotes:

      “He did what so many Americans could never stand up and do. He said, send me.” — War Secretary Pete Hegseth [03:41] “Once injured, that's okay. Twice injured, send me again.” — VA Secretary Doug Collins paraphrasing Verardo’s commitment [03:45]

    • Verardo and his wife started the Independence Fund, aiding over 2,700 veterans.

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6. Sports Update [04:21–04:26]

• Thursday Night Football:
  • Texans defeat the Bills 23–19; Josh Allen is sacked eight times.

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Memorable Quotes and Moments

• “The House plans a vote today on a measure to condemn socialism on the same day that Democrat socialist Zoran Mandani visits the White House.” — Jack Callaghan [00:03]
• “Press Secretary Caroline Levitt says US Diplomats have presented a peace plan to Russian and Ukrainian leaders designed to end the years long war in Ukraine.” — Caroline Levitt [00:51]
• “CDC site focused on vaccine safety now says the statement of vaccines not being a cause for autism is not evidence based.” — Grinhaus Scott [02:38]
• “Sergeant Verardo endured 120 surgeries and became an advocate for fellow veterans.” — Doug Collins [03:47]

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Important Timestamps

• 00:03 — House votes to condemn socialism; Trump-Mamdani meeting
• 00:51 — Peace plan for Ukraine announced
• 01:17 — New oil drilling proposal; crash investigation update
• 02:30 — CDC’s vaccine-autism language change controversy
• 03:21 — Execution in Florida; tribute to Sergeant Verardo
• 04:21 — NFL game recap: Texans vs. Bills

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Summary Provided by Fox News Podcasts, 7AM ET, 11/21/2025.

Transcript

[Jack Callaghan]

Washington takes on socialism. I'm Jack Callaghan, Fox News. The House plans a vote today on a measure to condemn socialism on the same day that Democrat socialist Zoran Mandani visits the White House.

[Madeleine Rivera]

That meeting between President Trump and New York City Mayor elect Zoran Mamdani comes despite some harsh rhetoric between the two. The White House calling democratic socialist Mamdani a communist. And Mamdani once promised that his administration would be the president's worst nightmare yet. The two leaders are having a conversation with the president saying over the weekend they want everything to work out well for New York.

[Jack Callaghan]

Fox's Madeleine Rivera about that condemnation resolution in the House. Some Democrats say they'll vote no because it doesn't define socialism. Weeks of quiet diplomacy. It produced a potential solution to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

[Caroline Levitt]

Press Secretary Caroline Levitt says US Diplomats have presented a peace plan to Russian and Ukrainian leaders designed to end the years long war in Ukraine.

[Pete Hegseth]

The president supports this plan. It's a good plan for both Russia and Ukraine. And we believe that it should be acceptable to both sides and we're working very hard to get it done.

[Caroline Levitt]

Levitt would not offer details of the proposal, but pushed back on reporting that the deal would require far more concessions from Ukraine than Russia.

[Jack Callaghan]

Fox's Jared Halperin @ the White House. Russia continues to target Ukraine's energy infrastructure as winter approaches. The Trump administration proposing opening federal waters offshore from California and Florida to oil drilling for the first time in decades. Federal air safety investigators have released frame by frame photos of the ill fated UPS cargo plane crash earlier this month in Louisville showing the left engine flying off. The National Transportation Safety Board says they found evidence of cracks in the plane's engine mounts. The crash killed 14. Wall street the Dow dropped 386 points yesterday. Nasdaq down 486. Now futures this morning are trading more than 100 points higher. America is listening to Fox News.

[Pete Hegseth]

So good, so good, so good.

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[Madeleine Rivera]

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[Pete Hegseth]

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[Jack Callaghan]

A posting on the Centers for Disease Control's website now suggesting there could be a link between childhood vaccines and autism.

[Grinhaus Scott]

The CDC site focused on vaccine safety now says the statement of vaccines not being a cause for autism is not evidence based. The rewording goes further to say prior studies which support a link between vaccines and autism had been disregarded by health authorities. The changes that fall in line with prior public comments by Health and Human Services secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. Caught many off guard at the CDC, which had been in line with Food and Drug Administration promotion of no autism link in its approved vaccines. It's not clear if the website change was from within the CDC or was ordered by Secretary Kennedy. Grinhaus Scott, Fox News Florida killed a.

[Jack Callaghan]

Killer last night Richard Randolph given a lethal injection for the murder of a convenience store manager in 1988. At Arlington National Cemetery yesterday, a solemn military funeral for army sergeant Michael Verardo, who'd survived multiple IED attacks serving in Afghanistan.

[Doug Collins]

War Secretary Pete Hegseth remembered Sergeant Verardo.

[Pete Hegseth]

He did what so many Americans could never stand up and do. He said, send me.

[Doug Collins]

Va Secretary Doug Collins added, when once injured, that's okay. Twice injured, send me again. Sergeant Verardo endured 120 surgeries and became an advocate for fellow veterans. He and his wife, Sarah, started the Independence Fund, which helped over 2700 veterans with all terrain track chairs. Secretary Collins said that even if people didn't know him, they will know his impact. They will see the stone. Sergeant Michael Verardo was 40 years old. Kevin Uretsky, Fox News Thursday Night Football.

[Jack Callaghan]

Josh Allen sacked eight times last night as the Texans beat the Bills 23 to 19.

[Jack Gatesman]

I'm Jack Gatesman will tame country. Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through [e-mail] or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show. Listen and follow the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.