Fox News Hourly Update — 9AM ET 12/18/2025 Newscast

Host: FOX News Podcasts
Date: December 18, 2025

Overview

This concise episode delivers breaking news highlights across politics, economics, religion, business, and entertainment. Special attention is given to President Trump’s recent address and policy announcements, new economic indicators, notable personnel shifts within the Catholic Church, a significant business merger, and the future of the Oscars.

Economic News and President Trump’s Address

Theme: Positive economic indicators and political spin
Timestamps: 00:02–01:30, 02:31–03:16

• Slowing Inflation Surprises Economists

  • “The prices you pay for things rose at a smaller pace in November. The consumer price index was up 2.7% for the year ending in November. Core CPI excluding food and energy, rose 2.6%. Economists were predicting both numbers would top 3%.”
    —Jenny Casola, [00:12]

• Unemployment Dynamics

  • Jobless claims dropped by 13,000 (to 224,000), but continued claims rose to 1.9 million.

• Trump’s Response:

  • President Trump highlighted historic employment and wage gains:
    • “There are more people working today than at any time in American history.”
      —President Trump, [00:44]
    • “For the first time in years, wages are rising much faster than inflation.”
      —President Trump, [00:50]
  • Trump positions these changes as part of his efforts to fix what he calls the “mess” from the Biden administration:
    • “We had the worst trade deals ever made and our country was laughed at from all over the world. But they’re not laughing anymore.”
      —President Trump, [00:58]

• Criticism from Democrats:

  • Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer accused the president of being “completely disconnected from the reality everyday Americans are seeing and feeling,” pointing to rising unemployment and prices. [01:06]

US Military Bonus & National Celebration Plans

Theme: Political gestures and American patriotism
Timestamps: 01:06–03:16, 02:31–03:16

• Military Bonus Announcement
  • President Trump promises U.S. service members $1,776 bonus checks:
    • “I’m giving US military members a bonus check, $1,776 each.”
      —President Trump, [01:06]
• 250th Anniversary (“Semiquincentennial”) Plans:
  • Trump touts upcoming national celebrations in 2026:
    • “2026 will be a celebration of America like no other, honoring our nation in all of its glory.”
      —President Trump, [02:43]
    • A new public-private partnership, “Freedom 251,” will organize events around the semiquincentennial.
    • Main events include a “Great American State Fair” on the National Mall, showcasing innovations and state culture; a major prayer event; national athletic competitions; and an Ultimate Fighting Championship event at the White House.
      —Chris Foster, [03:04–03:16]

US Military Action off Venezuela

Theme: Foreign operations and partisan debate
Timestamps: 01:06–01:46

• Continued Military Operations
  • President Trump omits reference to recent US Military actions off the Venezuelan coast.
  • A boat suspected of drug trafficking was struck; four alleged narco-terrorists killed.
  • Some Democrats label the operation illegal.

Religion: New Archbishop of New York

Theme: Catholic Church leadership change
Timestamps: 01:46–01:51

• Bishop Ronald Hicks Appointed
  • Pope Leo names Bishop Hicks, an Illinois native, as the next Archbishop of New York, succeeding Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
    • “I asked him to tell the Holy Father that I say yes with great humility.”
      —Bishop Ronald Hicks, [01:51]

Business: Major Trump Media Merger

Theme: Trump’s business expansion and market ramifications
Timestamps: 03:29–03:57

• $6B Merger Announced
  • Trump Media & Technology Group (operator of Truth Social) merges with TAE Technologies, a fusion power firm.
  • DJT stock surges 26% pre-market on the news; broader positive market reaction expected.
    • Dow futures up 200+ points; Nasdaq up 300+ points, buoyed by the inflation report.

Entertainment: The Oscars Move to Streaming

Theme: Media evolution and milestone changes
Timestamps: 04:00–04:22

• Oscars to YouTube After 2028
  • Beginning in 2029, the Academy Awards will stream on YouTube; ABC will televise through the 100th Oscars in 2028.
    • “Starting in 2029, the Oscars will move from broadcast TV to streaming on their new home at YouTube.”
      —Monica DeLuca, [04:00]
  • The 2026 Oscars will take place March 15.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There are more people working today than at any time in American history.”
  —President Trump, [00:44]
• “For the first time in years, wages are rising much faster than inflation.”
  —President Trump, [00:50]
• “2026 will be a celebration of America like no other, honoring our nation in all of its glory.”
  —President Trump, [02:43]
• “Starting in 2029, the Oscars will move from broadcast TV to streaming on their new home at YouTube.”
  —Monica DeLuca, [04:00]
• “I asked him to tell the Holy Father that I say yes with great humility.”
  —Bishop Ronald Hicks, [01:51]
• “The president lives in a bubble, completely disconnected from the reality everyday Americans are seeing and feeling.”
  —Chuck Schumer, [01:06]

Key Timestamps

• 00:02–01:30 — Economic updates, Trump address, and unemployment stats
• 01:06–01:46 — Military bonus, US action off Venezuela, and Democratic criticism
• 01:46–01:51 — New Archbishop of New York
• 02:31–03:16 — National anniversary and celebration plans
• 03:29–03:57 — Trump Media merger and market news
• 04:00–04:22 — Oscars move to streaming

Summary:
This episode provides a sweep of today’s major headlines—emphasizing Trump administration policies and pronouncements, robust economic indicators, bold plans for America’s 250th birthday, a blockbuster business merger, and the future of celebrated institutions from the Catholic archdiocese to the Oscars. The newscast maintains a fast-paced, factual tone characteristic of Fox News hourly updates.