Fox News Hourly Update – 7AM ET 12/08/2025

Main Theme:
This episode covers top stories in U.S. and global politics, ongoing investigations, and major sports updates. Significant attention is given to the status of U.S.-backed peace negotiations in Ukraine, allegations of welfare fraud linked to Minnesota, sports highlights from the NFL, and a new Baseball Hall of Fame inductee.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ukraine Peace Talks and U.S. Involvement

• [00:03] Chris Foster opens with President Trump’s reaction to Ukraine:
  • President Trump expresses disappointment with President Zelensky for not reviewing a U.S.-backed peace proposal regarding the conflict with Russia. Zelensky is in London for talks with European leaders.
  • Quote: “President Trump says he's a little disappointed that Ukraine's President Zelensky hasn't even read a U. S backed proposal for peace with Russia and that he's just not ready for it.” — Chris Foster [00:03]
• [00:17] Jonathan Savage elaborates on Europe’s role:
  • Zelensky’s meetings focus on security, air defense, and stable funding for Ukraine.
  • European nations want security guarantees from both Washington and their own countries, fearing Russia might become too powerful post-conflict and skeptical of a mere ceasefire.
  • U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators completed discussions to close gaps on the Trump-led peace plan.
  • Quote: “European leaders fear Russia coming out of this conflict in too strong a position and because they suspect Moscow won't be satisfied by a ceasefire, want any agreement to be backed by security guarantees from Washington as well as their own countries.” — Jonathan Savage [00:17]

2. Congressional Response to Drug Smuggling Strike

• [00:57] Chris Foster introduces a debate on military actions involving a drug-smuggling boat incident:
  • Washington State Rep. Adam Smith (Democrat) seeks public release of strike video that showed the killing of survivors from an earlier attack.
    • Quote: "It was deeply disturbing. It did not appear that these two survivors were in any position to continue the fight." — Adam Smith [01:06]
  • Senator Tom Cotton (Arkansas Republican) counters, affirming the legality and necessity of the follow-up strike:
    • Quote: "It was entirely appropriate to strike the boat again to make sure that cargo was destroyed. It is in no way violation of..." — Tom Cotton [01:19]

3. Supreme Court Case: Firing of Federal Trade Commissioner

• [01:34] Rebecca Slaughter reports on a Supreme Court challenge:
  • The legality of President Trump’s firing of an FTC commissioner is brought to the Supreme Court.
  • The administration’s stance: Article 2 authorizes the president to remove executive branch officers at will.
  • The court’s precedent (Humphrey’s Executor, 1935): FTC commissioners can only be fired for cause.

4. Minnesota Welfare Fraud Investigation

• [03:01] Chris Foster & [03:08] Scott Bessant detail an ongoing federal probe:
  • The Treasury is investigating alleged welfare fraud in Minnesota, specifically money transferred overseas.
  • Quote: "Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant said alleged fraud in Minnesota has seen welfare money transferred to accounts overseas." — Scott Bessant [03:08]
  • Senator Tom Cotton notes tracking of funds to the Middle East and Somalia:
    • Quote: "We are tracking that both to the Middle east and Somalia to see what the uses of that have been." — Tom Cotton [03:16]
  • Administration suspects these funds could be supporting foreign terror groups. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) is mentioned as linked by some to the fraud. She acknowledges campaign donors were connected, but funds were returned.
    • Quote: "People who were able to donate to our campaign that were involved, we send that money back." — Ilhan Omar [03:36]
  • Much of those charged are from Minnesota's Somali community.

5. NFL Sunday Highlights

• [03:49] Chris Foster & [04:02] Tim McMaster update on the NFL:
  • Houston Texans defeat Kansas City Chiefs for their fifth consecutive win, keeping playoff hopes alive.
  • Historic Bears-Packers rivalry: The Packers clinch the NFC North lead with a last-minute interception.
    • Quote: "Williams looking, throwing and intercepting Keisha Mixon and the packers will win it... in the final minute to ice a 28:21 win, taking over the NFC north lead." — Tim McMaster [04:02]
  • Pittsburgh Steelers move ahead in the AFC North, Jaguars dominate the Colts, whose quarterback Daniel Jones suffers a season-ending Achilles injury.

6. Baseball Hall of Fame Induction

• [04:45] Chris Foster announces:
  • Jeff Kent elected to Baseball Hall of Fame by the Contemporary Era committee.
  • He holds the record for most home runs by a second baseman.

7. Financial Market Update

• [04:52] Chris Foster notes:
  • Stock futures are flat as of the Monday morning broadcast.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|-------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:03 | Chris Foster | "President Trump says he's a little disappointed that Ukraine's President Zelensky hasn't even read a U. S backed proposal for peace with Russia..." | | 00:17 | Jonathan Savage | "European leaders fear Russia coming out of this conflict in too strong a position ... want any agreement to be backed by security guarantees..." | | 01:06 | Adam Smith | "It was deeply disturbing. It did not appear that these two survivors were in any position to continue the fight." | | 01:19 | Tom Cotton | "It was entirely appropriate to strike the boat again to make sure that cargo was destroyed. It is in no way violation of..." | | 03:08 | Scott Bessant | "Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant said alleged fraud in Minnesota has seen welfare money transferred to accounts overseas." | | 03:16 | Tom Cotton | "We are tracking that both to the Middle east and Somalia to see what the uses of that have been." | | 03:36 | Ilhan Omar | "People who were able to donate to our campaign that were involved, we send that money back." | | 04:02 | Tim McMaster | "Williams looking, throwing and intercepting Keisha Mixon and the packers will win it... in the final minute to ice a 28:21 win, taking over the NFC north lead." |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Ukraine Peace Talks: 00:03 – 00:57
• Drug Smuggling Strike Debate: 00:57 – 01:28
• FTC Commissioner Supreme Court Case: 01:34 – 01:50
• Minnesota Welfare Fraud Investigation: 03:01 – 03:49
• NFL and Sports Updates: 03:49 – 04:52
• Baseball Hall of Fame Induction: 04:45
• Stock Market Update: 04:52

Summary

This Fox News update provides a rapid, fact-focused overview of the morning’s biggest stories: major ongoing political negotiations and investigations, Congressional debates on military conduct, developments in domestic fraud cases with possible international implications, and high-stakes moments in professional sports. The tone is brisk and authoritative, with direct quotes offering listeners a taste of the debate and controversy at the heart of today's key headlines.