Fox News Hourly Update – 8PM ET 09/18/2025 Newscast

Date: September 19, 2025
Host: Lisa Licera (FOX News Radio)

Overview

This episode provides a concise rundown of major national and political news headlines, debates over free speech and censorship, ongoing legislative battles in Congress, an update on anti-drug operations, Supreme Court developments, economic investment news, and renewed arguments about D.C. statehood.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Battle Over Free Speech: Jimmy Kimmel Suspension

• [00:02–00:38]
  • Incident: Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show was suspended after his remarks following the shooting death of Charlie Kirk.
  • President Trump’s Reaction: Trump attributes the suspension more to "bad ratings" but supports it, calling Kimmel’s comments "horrible" and praising Charlie Kirk.
    • Quote:
      • "Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings more than anything else and he said a horrible thing about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk."
        — President Trump [00:13]
  • Schumer’s Response: Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticizes the suspension as censorship and a free speech issue.
    • Quote:
      • "The US was built on the right to free speech... it's a hallmark of America."
        — President Trump [00:25]
  • Next steps: ABC executives to meet with Kimmel about his show’s future.

2. Congress: Short-Term Spending Bills and Partisan Tensions

• [00:38–01:24]
  • Developments: Speaker Mike Johnson announces a vote on a short-term spending bill scheduled for the next day.
    • Democrat Viewpoint: Eleanor Holmes Norton urges the need to “buy a little more time” for appropriators, framing opposition as partisan.
      • Quote:
        • "I can't understand how anybody could make a rational argument against that unless they're trying to use it for partisan political purposes."
          — Eleanor Holmes Norton [00:47]
  • Competing Plans: Democrats propose extending Affordable Care Act subsidies (Johnson characterizes this as a "December policy issue").
  • Upcoming Votes: Set for midday the following day.

3. Operation Pacific Viper: Anti-Drug Efforts

• [01:24–01:46]
  • Update: Since August, the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy have seized over 75,000 pounds of drugs and arrested nearly 60 suspected “narco-terrorists.”
  • Violent Interventions:
    • U.S. attacks on Venezuelan boats led to 14 deaths of suspected drug smugglers.
      • Quote:
        • "The Navy and Coast Guard have arrested nearly 60 narco terrorists and drug smugglers and seized more than 75,000 pounds of cocaine."
          — Brian Schwab [01:24]
  • Broader Action: President Trump orders destroyers to the Southern Command (Central and South America).

4. Supreme Court to Review Trump-Era Tariffs

• [03:16–04:01]
  • Case: The Supreme Court agrees to hear oral arguments on the legality of President Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs on foreign goods.
  • Impact: Small business lawyers claim these tariffs threaten their survival; lower courts have rejected presidential authority for such tariffs.
    • Quote:
      • "Lawyers for many small businesses have challenged the tariffs... arguing the policy has pushed many of their businesses to the brink of bankruptcy."
        — Gernall Scott [03:24]
  • Timeline: Arguments scheduled for November 5.

5. Economic & Industry News: Hyundai’s Georgia Plant

• [04:01–04:30]
  • Update: After immigration raids delayed the launch of an EV battery factory, Hyundai recommits to its Georgia plant.
  • Investment: $2.7 billion to expand capacity—aiming to produce up to 10 electric/hybrid models (up from 2) within three years.

6. D.C. Statehood Debate Rekindled

• [04:30–05:08]
  • Issue: During a House Oversight hearing on National Guard deployment and crime in D.C., the city’s lack of full representation resurfaces.
    • Delegate’s Argument: Eleanor Holmes Norton reminds Congress of D.C. residents’ unique disenfranchisement.
      • Quote:
        • "The 700,000 of us that live here in the District of Columbia are the only residents of the capital of a democratic country that do not have a voice in our national legislature. That's wrong."
          — Eleanor Holmes Norton [04:43]
    • Support: D.C.’s Attorney General Brian Schwab calls the lack of autonomy “un-American.”
    • Mayor Bowser’s Input: Stresses D.C. fulfills all state duties without reaping the benefits of autonomy.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|-------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:13 | President Trump | "Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings more than anything else and he said a horrible thing about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk." | | 00:25 | President Trump | "The US was built on the right to free speech... it's a hallmark of America." | | 00:47 | Eleanor Holmes Norton | "I can't understand how anybody could make a rational argument against that unless they're trying to use it for partisan political purposes." | | 01:24 | Brian Schwab | "The Navy and Coast Guard have arrested nearly 60 narco terrorists and drug smugglers and seized more than 75,000 pounds of cocaine." | | 03:24 | Gernall Scott | "Lawyers for many small businesses have challenged the tariffs... arguing the policy has pushed many of their businesses to the brink of bankruptcy." | | 04:43 | Eleanor Holmes Norton | "The 700,000 of us that live here in the District of Columbia are the only residents of the capital of a democratic country that do not have a voice in our national legislature. That's wrong." | | 04:54 | Brian Schwab | (paraphrased by reporter): Calls D.C.'s lack of congressional voting rights “un-American.” |

Important Segment Timestamps

• [00:02] — Free speech debate: Trump, Kimmel, and Schumer comments
• [00:38] — Congressional spending bill updates, partisan tensions
• [01:24] — Operation Pacific Viper: drug seizure and military action
• [03:16] — Supreme Court to hear Trump tariff case
• [04:01] — Hyundai’s electric vehicle plant expansion in Georgia
• [04:30] — D.C. statehood debate and representation in Congress

Summary Takeaway

This Fox News update highlights the growing cultural and political divides in America—from the limits of free speech and media accountability, through consequential legislative fights in Congress, to international interventions against drug smuggling. Economic developments and the perennial debate over D.C. statehood round out a newscast packed with pressing issues and punchy soundbites from major public figures.