8PM ET 09/18/2025 Newscast

Summary

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.

Transcript

[Lisa Licera]

Battle over free speech. I'm Lisa Licera. Fox News. President Trump celebrating the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's late night show after comments made following the shooting death of Charlie Kirk.

[President Trump]

Well, 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.

[Lisa Licera]

While Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the suspension amounts to censorship.

[President Trump]

The US Was built on the right to free speech and some of us might not even agree with the expansive definitions that some of the courts have done on things like Citizens United. But it's a hallmark of America.

[Lisa Licera]

There's a report ABC executives are set to meet with Kimmel to discuss the future of his show. Speaker Mike Johnson says the House will vote tomorrow on a short term spending bill.

[Eleanor Holmes Norton]

We genuinely just need to buy a little more time for the appropriator to do their job. I can't understand how anybody could make a rational argument against that unless they're trying to use it for partisan political purposes.

[Lisa Licera]

On fox's Special Report with Bret Baier, Democrats have released their own plan which calls for extending subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. Johnson calls that a December policy issue, not a September funding issue. Fox has told votes on the competing plans are set for midday tomorrow. The U.S. coast Guard and Navy have hauled in tens of thousands of pounds of drugs and busted dozens of people since the launch of what they're calling Operation Pacific Viper last month.

[Brian Schwab]

So far, DHS says the Navy and Coast Guard have arrested nearly 60 narco terrorists and drug smugglers and seized more than 75,000 pounds of cocaine. Operation Pacific Viper produced the U.S. attack on a Venezuelan boat believed to be hauling drugs. Eleven people were killed. A second strike took out another Venezuelan boat, killing three more.

[Lisa Licera]

FOX is Jill Naito. President Trump has also ordered destroyers to the US Southern Command, which covers Central and South America. America is listening to FOX News.

[FastGrowingTrees.com Advertiser]

Fall is planting season. Did you know that many plants and trees actually do better when planted this time of year? But you have to know where to start. That's where fastgrowingtrees.com comes into play. Doesn't matter if you live in the sunny south or if the air is getting chilly where you are. Their plant experts can help you find the perfect fit for your space. They have all the plants your yard needs like fruit trees, privacy trees, flowering trees, shrubs and so much more. Fast growing trees makes it easy to get your dream yard order online and get your plants delivered directly to your door in just a few days without ever leaving home. Their alive and thrive guarantees ensures your plants arrive happy and healthy. We know landscaping can be expensive and how difficult and annoying it is to shop for plants in person. Save the messy car and yourself from wasting a whole Saturday this fall. They have the best deals for your yard, up to half off on selected plants and other deals. And listeners to this podcast get 15% off their first purchase when using the code FOX at checkout. That's 15% [e-mail] using the code FOX at checkout Now's the perfect time to plant. Use Fox to Save today. Offer is valid for a limited time. Terms and conditions may apply. Check out the link below or in the show Notes and support the show.

[Lisa Licera]

Click the U.S. supreme Court will consider the legality of President Trump's tariff policy early in its new term.

[Gernall Scott]

Oral arguments on tariff policy will be heard on Nov. 5, one month after the court's nine month term begins Oct. 6. Lawyers for many small businesses have challenged the tariffs placed on goods from foreign countries, arguing the policy has pushed many of their businesses to the brink of bankruptcy. Lower courts have ruled the president does not have the power to impose the tariffs. The the president insists he can use emergency powers to regulate imports. It's unclear if the high court's final ruling will also be on a faster timetable. Gernall Scott, Fox News Hyundai says it's.

[Lisa Licera]

Moving forward with the plan to expand its Georgia plant after immigration raid delayed the startup of an electric vehicle battery plant at the site. The company says it plans to invest? 2.7 billion to boost capacity by 200,000 vehicles over the next three years and says it hopes to produce 10 electric and hybrid models at the facility. Right now, it produces two. At a House Oversight Committee hearing about the National Guard deployment to Washington, D.C. there was renewed discussion about statehood for.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

The district, as Washington D.C. 's congressional delegate, Eleanor Holmes Norton, can participate in committee activity, but she cannot vote on the House floor. At a House Oversight Committee hearing on crime in D.C. she asked officials from the city why it should be granted statehood.

[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.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

The city's attorney general, Brian Schwab, called it un American. Mayor Muriel Bowser told the committee.

[Lisa Licera]

We perform the duties that all states.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

Are asked and we don't do anything less. And yet, she said, they have no autonomy.

[Lisa Licera]

Fox's Jessica Rosenthal, I'm Lisa Licera. This is Fox News.

[Eleanor Holmes Norton]

This is Jimmy Fallah inviting you to join me for Fox Across America where we'll discuss every single one of the Democrats dumb ideas. Just kidding. It's only a three hour show. Listen live at noon Eastern or get the podcast at foxacrossamerica. Com.