7AM ET 12/30/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 7AM ET 12/30/2025 Newscast

Host: Dave Anthony (FOX News)
Date: December 30, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a fast-paced roundup of overnight and early morning news, focusing on ongoing U.S. military operations against drug trafficking, international diplomacy involving President Trump, escalating tensions near Taiwan, Minnesota's Medicaid fraud scandal, and major sports highlights from the NFL and NBA. The tone is urgent, straightforward, and packed with updates from both anchors and notable soundbites from key world leaders.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Military Operations Against Drug Trafficking

Timestamps: 00:03–00:38

• Main Story: The 30th U.S. maritime strike since September targeted illegal drug operations near Venezuela, resulting in the deaths of two alleged narco-terrorists (total now at 107).
• Expansion: A recent U.S. attack targeted a dock area inside Venezuela, believed to be critical for drug loading, though details of whether the operation was military or CIA-led remain undisclosed.

Notable Quote:

• [00:28] Donald Trump (speaking at Mar-a-Lago):
  "We hit all the boats and now we hit the area, the implementation area. That's where they implement and that is no longer around."

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2. Trump’s Foreign Policy: Israel, Gaza & Iran

Timestamps: 00:38–01:15

• Middle East Diplomacy: President Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago, discussing the new phase of the Gaza ceasefire that paused recent hostilities.
• On Hamas: Trump reaffirms the U.S. position, warning of consequences if Hamas fails to comply with disarmament agreements.
• On Iran: The President signals readiness for possible future military action against Iran, aligning with Netanyahu’s concerns over potential acceleration of Iran's missile program.

Notable Quote:

• [00:59] Donald Trump:
  "If they don't disarm as they agreed to do, they agreed to it, then they'll be held to pay."

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3. Ukraine Peace Talks

Timestamps: 01:15–01:42

• Update: Following talks at Mar-a-Lago, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announces agreement on 90% of a U.S.-brokered peace plan with Russia.
• Sticking Point: Territorial concessions remain unresolved; Zelensky is firm against giving up land where civilians reside, emphasizing the human cost of surrender.

Notable Quote:

• [01:34] Volodymyr Zelensky (to Fox’s Brett Baier):
  "They can't give up land. People live there. 300,000 people live there. We can't lose just people. We can't go out because 100,000 have been wounded."

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4. Rising Tensions in East Asia

Timestamps: 01:42–02:04

• China’s Wargames: China continues aggressive military drills near Taiwan, deploying ships, jets, and troops in live-fire exercises aimed at discouraging Taiwanese independence after a fresh U.S. arms sale to Taipei.
• Chinese Statement: The drills are intended to "prevent anything that tries to split Taiwan" from China.

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5. Minnesota Medicaid Fraud Scandal

Timestamps: 02:17–03:09

• Investigation: Federal prosecutors and the FBI are probing what they describe as just "the tip of the iceberg" over Medicaid fraud in Minnesota, allegedly perpetrated by groups in the Somali community.
• Political Fallout: Republicans, including House Speaker Lisa Daymith, urge Democratic Governor Tim Walz to step down, claiming prolonged negligence on the issue.
• Governor’s Response: Walz’s office asserts efforts to enhance oversight and investigations, following reports that significant portions of $18 billion in state Medicaid spending may have been stolen.

Notable Quotes:

• [02:24] Lisa Daymith:
  "Governor Tim Walz should step aside..."
• [02:42] Madeleine Rivera:
  "The Walz administration had years to address these issues, but has frequently ignored or downplayed the issues at every turn."

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6. Financial & Sports Roundup

Timestamps: 03:09–03:52

• Market Update: Stock futures dip after Wall Street’s prior-day selloff.
• NFL: The Atlanta Falcons upset the L.A. Rams (27–24); kicker Zayn Gonzalez makes a last-minute 51-yard field goal.
  • Bijan Robinson sets a franchise record with a 93-yard touchdown run (part of 195 total rushing yards).
• Playoff Implications: Rams can still clinch a high playoff seed with a win and help.
• NBA: The Denver Nuggets lose to the Miami Heat (123–147). Star Nikola Jokic leaves the game with a left knee injury and will undergo an MRI.

Notable Quote:

• [03:27] Dave Anthony (excited call):
  "He got it. Split the uprights."

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Memorable Moments

• Trump’s Veiled Strike Details: The President’s ambiguous comments on whether attacks are military or intelligence-led add intrigue to the anti-narcotics campaign.
• Direct Leader Soundbites: The episode features statements from both Trump and Zelensky, underscoring the gravity of foreign policy decisions.
• High-Stakes Sports Commentary: The dramatic sports recap—especially the Falcons’ surprise win and Robinson’s historic touchdown—adds energy to the news hour.
• Political Tension: Clashes over the Minnesota fraud scandal are sharply drawn, featuring dueling party perspectives.

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Segment Timestamps

• 00:03 – 00:38 – U.S. strikes on narco-trafficking in Venezuela
• 00:38 – 01:15 – Trump’s talks with Netanyahu; Iran and Hamas warnings
• 01:15 – 01:42 – Ukraine/Russia peace plan update with Zelensky’s comments
• 01:42 – 02:04 – Chinese military drills encircle Taiwan
• 02:17 – 03:09 – Minnesota Medicaid fraud scandal & political fallout
• 03:09 – 03:52 – Wall Street update; NFL & NBA highlights

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With rapid-fire updates and direct soundbites from world leaders and politicians, this episode captures the urgency and complexity of today’s top national, international, and sports stories, offering listeners a concise but thorough morning briefing.

Transcript

[Dave Anthony]

Another boat blown up off Venezuela's coast. I'm Dave Anthony, FOX News. It was in the eastern Pacific, the 30th strike in the US military operation that started in September targeting illegal drug trafficking. Two more alleged narco terrorists killed, bringing the total number to 107. And we're learning more about the US attack on land in Venezuela. We were first told about Friday. The target was a dock area in Venezuela where President Trump alleges drugs are loaded onto boats.

[Donald Trump]

We hit all the boats and now we hit the area, the implementation area. That's where they implement and that is no longer around.

[Dave Anthony]

Speaking with reporters at Mar a Lago, the president would not offer details on the strike or say if it was carried out by the military or the CIA. FOX is Jared Halpern. The president said all that before meeting at his Florida resort with Israel's prime minister, discussing the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire that stopped the war with Benjamin Netanyahu.

[Madeleine Rivera]

The president is also continuing his tough talk against Hamas.

[Donald Trump]

If they don't disarm as they agreed to do, they agreed to it, then they'll be held to pay.

[Madeleine Rivera]

President Trump is also not ruling out military, more military action against Iran. Netanyahu is reportedly concerned Iran may be ramping up production of its ballistic missile program.

[Dave Anthony]

That's fox's Madeleine Rivera after the president's meeting with Ukraine's leader at Mar a Lago Sunday. Volodymyr zelensky talked to Fox's Bread Beer, saying he's agreed to 90% of the US brokered peace plan aiming to stop Russia's war. But one big sticking point, who gets what territory. Zelensky tells Special Report they can't give up land. People live there. 300,000 people live there. We can't lose just people. We can't go out because 100,000 have been wounded.

[Joe Morgan]

Dozens of some been killed there.

[Dave Anthony]

China still playing war games near Taiwan with military drills around the island it claims as its own territory. A second day with ships and jets and troops doing live fire drills. A Chinese statement says they want to prevent anything that tries to split Taiwan from them. After a recent US Arms sale to the island nation. America's listening to FOX News. This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[Lisa Daymith]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Dave Anthony]

As the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress investigate fraud allegations in Minnesota, the Democratic governor is under more scrutiny.

[Lisa Daymith]

Governor Tim Walz should step aside that from Minnesota House speake Lisa Daymith and other Republicans amid a growing fraud crisis allegedly at the hands of bogus Somali run groups in and around Minneapolis that federal prosecutors and the FBI have called just the tip of the iceberg.

[Madeleine Rivera]

The Wallace administration had years to address these issues, but has frequently ignored or downplayed the issues at every turn.

[Lisa Daymith]

The governor's office says it's worked for years to crack down on fraud, strengthened oversight and launched investigations. That statement after the U.S. attorney's office reported that more of the $18 billion the state has spent on Medicaid may have been stolen. Jeff Manasso, Fox News On Wall street.

[Dave Anthony]

Stock futures down modestly following yesterday's sell off on Monday Night Football. The team already eliminated from playoff contention, Atlanta upset the Los Angeles Rams who already qualified.

[Joe Morgan]

The Falcons beat the Rams 27 to 24 with Zayn Gonzalez kicking the game winning 51 yard field goal with 21 seconds remaining.

[Dave Anthony]

He got it. Split the uprights.

[Joe Morgan]

Courtesy of ESPN as FAL running back Bijan Robinson put on a Show rushing for 195 yards, 93 of which came on an electric run in the second quarter for the longest rushing touchdown in franchise history. For the Rams, they can clinch the five seed in the NFC with a Week 18 win over the Cardinals and a 49ers loss to the Seahawks. Joe Morgan, Fox News.

[Dave Anthony]

In the NBA, a big loss for the Denver Nuggets. Not only did the Miami heat beat them 147, 123, this happened. Jokic is down. Jokic took a shot in that left knee area. That was on FanDuel Sports Network. Denver star Nikola Jokic, a three time NBA MVP left the game with that knee injury. He'll get an MRI today. I'm Dave Anthony. This is Fox News.