7AM ET 12/26/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 7AM ET 12/26/2025 Newscast

Main Theme

The December 26th, 2025, 7AM Fox News Hourly Update covers significant developments in U.S. military action abroad, international diplomacy, domestic policy, and upcoming weather events. The episode focuses on U.S. military retaliation against ISIS in Nigeria, peace talks involving Ukraine and Russia, an update on a tragic air crash, major weather alerts, and President Trump's battle with health insurers over premium rates.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Military Strike on ISIS in Nigeria

• Announcement of Strike: The U.S. has conducted a lethal military strike on ISIS targets in Nigeria.

  • Madison Scarpino (00:11): Reports President Trump announced the operation, highlighting its severity in response to attacks targeting Christians.
  • Direct quote from Trump (via Truth Social):

    "I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay. And tonight there was. The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes as only the United States is capable of doing under my leadership. Our country will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to prosper. May God bless our military and Merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.” (00:23)

• Diplomatic Pressure: The U.S. government is in discussions with Nigeria, threatening to cut off aid if anti-Christian violence is not stopped. (00:48)

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2. Ukraine–Russia Peace Efforts

• High-Level Talks: The Trump administration continues to push for an end to the war between Ukraine and Russia even during the holidays.
  • Ryan Schmelz (01:04): Reports a meeting between Ukrainian President Zelensky and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, alongside Jared Kushner.
  • Volodymyr Zelensky’s remarks:

    "There are good ideas that can work toward a shared outcome and lasting peace." (01:16)

• No Agreement Yet: Despite dialogue and positive tone, no settlement has been reached. (01:31)

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3. Louisville UPS Plane Crash Update

• Fatality Reported: A 15th victim has died from injuries related to the November 4th UPS plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky.
  • Details: The crash was caused by mechanical failure—the left engine's pylon separated from the wing, igniting a fire on takeoff. (01:38)
• Impact: Offers a somber reminder of the risks and the tragic consequences of air disaster.

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4. Major Winter Weather on the East and West Coasts

Northeast Storm

• NYC Winter Storm Warning:
  • Jane Menard (02:39):
    Reports 5–8 inches of snow expected in New York City from Friday night into Saturday morning; travel disruptions anticipated.

    “Maybe 24 hours removed from a white Christmas, but we are going to see snow in the Northeast.”

  • Ice storm warnings for western Pennsylvania and advisories for millions along the storm’s path.
  • Travel advice:

    “Come tomorrow, plan to be hunkered in at your location and the storm will arrive as many are set to return from Christmas holiday travel.” (03:17)

California Storm

• End of West Coast Storm:
  • The recent system causing wind, rain, and snow will subside, but high surf (waves up to 25 ft in San Francisco Bay), flash floods around LA, and avalanche threats in the Sierras remain. (03:17)

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5. Trump Pressures Health Insurers Over Premiums

• Upcoming Insurance Meeting: President Trump plans to meet with major insurance companies to demand lower rates.
  • Jared Halpern (03:44):
    Premium spikes are expected as Affordable Care Act subsidies expire.
• President Trump (03:55):

  • “And I want to meet with them and I want to say I want you to cut your rates way down, way, way down. And maybe if they do that, we'll be able to not cut them out. We'll be able to continue to deal with them.”

• Policy Proposal: Trump wants federal funds given directly to individuals to buy their own insurance. (04:06)
• Public Impact: The outcome could affect millions who rely on ACA coverage.

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Notable Quotes

• President Trump on Nigeria Strike (00:23):

  “May God bless our military and Merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”

• Ukrainian President Zelenksy on Peace Talks (01:16):

  “There are good ideas that can work toward a shared outcome and lasting peace.”

• Jane Menard on Travel Advisory (03:17):

  “Plan to be hunkered in at your location and the storm will arrive as many are set to return from Christmas holiday travel.”

• President Trump on Health Premiums (03:55):

  “I want you to cut your rates way down, way, way down. And maybe if they do that, we'll be able to not cut them out.”

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:02 – Military retaliation in Nigeria (Paul Stevens, Madison Scarpino, President Trump statement)
• 01:04 – Ukraine–Russia diplomacy (Ryan Schmelz, Volodymyr Zelensky)
• 01:38 – UPS Louisville plane crash update
• 02:39 – Northeast winter storm warning (Jane Menard)
• 03:17 – West Coast storm aftermath
• 03:44 – Trump vs. health insurers; premium concerns (Jared Halpern, President Trump comment)
• 04:23 – (End of content; subsequent content is advertisement)

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Summary and Tone

This newscast is brisk, serious, and focused on high-impact global and domestic developments. It balances dramatic announcements (military action, severe weather, tough policy talk from the president) with clear, concise reporting. The tone mirrors Fox News' signature urgency, prioritizing government action and national security themes. Notable moments include President Trump’s dramatic language in his announcement about the Nigeria strike, as well as his blunt directive to insurance companies—underscoring an administration eager to project action and leadership during the holiday period.

Transcript

[Paul Stevens]

Military retaliation. I'm Paul Stevens, Fox News. The U.S. launching a military strike on ISIS targets in Nigeria. Fox's Madison Scarpino.

[Madison Scarpino]

President Trump says that strike was deadly and he says it's because they've been targeting and viciously killing primarily Christians. Now he just made the announcement on Truth Social saying in part quote, I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay. And tonight there was. The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes as only the United States is capable of doing under my leadership. Our country will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to prosper. May God bless our military and Merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.

[Paul Stevens]

Meantime, the government has been discussing the issue with the Nigerian government threatening to cut off aid to that country if the situation is not rectified. The Trump White House, House and Ukrainian officials working through Christmas to try and end the war between Ukraine and Russia.

[Ryan Schmelz]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he and Ukrainian leaders had a very good conversation with President Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president's son in law and unofficial adviser Jared Kushner. The Ukrainian leader says they discussed certain substantive details of the ongoing work toward a peace plan saying, quote, the there are good ideas that can work toward a shared outcome and the lasting peace. President Trump has made it a priority to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But so far all sides have been unable to come to an agreement. In Washington, Ryan schmelz, Fox News.

[Paul Stevens]

A 15 victim has died due to injuries sustained in the crash of a UPS plane in Louisville, Kentucky back on November 4th. The aircraft's left engine left pylon separating from the wing just as the plane was taking off catching fire as it went up over the fuselage before are hitting the ground. For America's listening to FOX News.

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[Paul Stevens]

Good chance the New York City area will soon look like a post Christmas winter wonderland. Fox Weather's Jane Menard A winter storm.

[Jane Menard]

Warning now in effect for New York City where we're calling for 5 to 8 inches of snow Friday night into early Saturday morning. So, yes, maybe 24 hours removed from a white Christmas, but we are going to see snow in the Northeast. Ice storm warnings have been upgraded across parts of western PA Winter weather advisories in place for millions of people impacted, especially when it comes to travel, road travel, air travel will be a nightmare come tomorrow. So if you can get an early jump, I would do it by tonight. Come tomorrow, plan to be hunkered in at your location and the storm will.

[Paul Stevens]

Arrive as many are set to return from Christmas holiday travel. Meantime, a strong storm system that brought we're letting us Wind, rain and snowfall to parts of California this week is expected to ease today. But there's still a risk of high surf along the coast, flash flooding near LA and avalanches in the Sierra Nevada. Waves near the San Francisco Bay area could reach 25ft. President Trump wants major health insurers to bring down their costs.

[Jared Halpern]

A meeting with the president and major insurance executives could happen as early as next week as President Trump pressures the health care companies to bring down prices ahead of premium spikes for millions of Americans.

[President Trump]

And I want to meet with them and I want to say I want you to cut your rates way down, way, way down. And maybe if they do that, we'll be able to not cut them out. We'll be able to continue to deal with them.

[Jared Halpern]

Individuals who buy health care coverage through the Affordable Care act are facing higher premiums when subsidies expire at the end of the year. President Trump wants federal funding to be given directly to individuals to buy their own health insurance. In Washington, Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[Paul Stevens]

And I'm Paul Stevens. This is fox.

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