9AM ET 12/20/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 9AM ET, 12/20/2025

Overview

This 9AM Fox News newscast, anchored by Paul Stevens and featuring reports from Ainsley Earhart, Chanley Painter, Mike Emanuel, and others, covers breaking developments in US military action against ISIS, updates in the Epstein-Maxwell document release controversy, a notable political announcement, record holiday travel, ongoing US military operations in the Caribbean, and key statements from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The episode closes with news from the Vatican about a major upcoming convocation.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US Retaliatory Strikes Against ISIS in Syria

• Summary:
  The United States launched extensive military strikes in Syria, targeting over 70 ISIS sites in response to the killing of three Americans (two Iowa National Guard members and a US civilian interpreter) last weekend. This action was characterized as a "declaration of vengeance."
• Details:
  • Strikes addressed fighters, infrastructure, and weapon sites ([00:14]).
  • The incident took place in eastern Syria, where US forces are part of an anti-ISIS coalition.
  • Three additional US soldiers sustained injuries in the ISIS attack ([00:36]).
  • President Trump alleged Syrian government support for these strikes.

Notable Quote:
"Dozens of ISIS targets destroyed yesterday and with what War Secretary Pete Hegseth calls a declaration of vengeance."
— Paul Stevens [00:02]

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2. Epstein-Maxwell DOJ Document Release

• Summary:
  The Department of Justice's release of Epstein-Maxwell documents has come under scrutiny for technical issues, missing files, heavy redactions, and a general lack of context.
• Details:
  • Many files lack clear labels, names, dates, or locations.
  • Several photos are included, some mature in content, with minimal contextual information.
  • Multiple photos feature former President Bill Clinton, though their significance is unclear.
  • Faces of individuals other than Clinton are often blacked out; DOJ cites victim protection.
  • A photo includes Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones, again with no explanation provided.

Notable Quote:
"The documents are not labeled with any great detail. There are plenty of photographs, but many have no names, dates or location. And context is really empty in some of them."
— Chanley Painter [00:59]

Quote:
"One of the photos shows the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger sitting around a table. But again, no context is provided."
— Chanley Painter [01:16]

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3. Rep. Elise Stefanik’s Political Announcement

• Summary:
  Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York announced she will not pursue the governorship nor seek re-election for her House seat, citing family reasons.
• Details:
  • Decision announced on X (formerly Twitter).
  • Ends her campaign to challenge Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul ([01:34]).

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4. Record Holiday Travel in 2025

• Summary:
  AAA forecasts a record 122 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the holiday season, continuing an upward trend post-COVID.
• Details:
  • 2.2% increase from last year.
  • Most travelers by car; 8 million expected to fly (200,000 more than last year).
  • Travel experts advise booking early and arriving at the airport three hours before flights.

Notable Quote:
"AAA is predicting more than 122 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home, a 2.2% increase from last year."
— Mike Emanuel [02:37]

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5. US Military Operations in the Caribbean & Pacific

• Summary:
  Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended US actions against drug-running vessels and made strong statements regarding negotiations with Venezuela and strategies for dealing with China.
• Details:
  • Military strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific described as routine, not war escalations ([03:14]).
  • Rubio rules out negotiations with Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro: "It's hard to...do a deal with someone who never keeps a deal." ([03:39])
  • Rubio discusses pragmatic engagement with China and touts US diplomatic efforts.
  • He also highlights progress in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza.

Notable Quotes:
"Nothing has happened that requires us to notify Congress or get congressional approval or cross the threshold into war."
— Marco Rubio [03:25]

 "It's hard to have and do a deal with someone who never keeps a deal."  
 — Marco Rubio [03:39]
 
 "China is going to be, is and it will continue to be a rich and powerful country and a factor in geopolitics. And we have to deal with them and we have to find the things we are able to work together on."  
 — Marco Rubio [03:48]

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6. Upcoming Vatican Convocation

• Summary:
  All Catholic cardinals are set to gather at the Vatican on January 7–8, 2026, to discuss the future of the Catholic Church.
• Details:
  • Announcement follows Pope Leo XIV appointing Bishop Ronald Hicks as the next Archbishop of New York ([04:04]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Dozens of ISIS targets destroyed yesterday and with what War Secretary Pete Hegseth calls a declaration of vengeance."
  — Paul Stevens [00:02]

• "The documents are not labeled with any great detail. There are plenty of photographs, but many have no names, dates or location."
  — Chanley Painter [00:59]

• "AAA is predicting more than 122 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home, a 2.2% increase from last year."
  — Mike Emanuel [02:37]

• "Nothing has happened that requires us to notify Congress or get congressional approval or cross the threshold into war."
  — Marco Rubio [03:25]

• "It's hard to have and do a deal with someone who never keeps a deal."
  — Marco Rubio [03:39]

• "China is going to be, is and it will continue to be a rich and powerful country and a factor in geopolitics. And we have to deal with them..."
  — Marco Rubio [03:48]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• US Retaliatory Strikes in Syria: [00:02]–[00:36]
• Epstein-Maxwell DOJ Document Controversy: [00:36]–[01:34]
• Rep. Elise Stefanik Announcement: [01:34]–[01:59]
• Record Holiday Travel Forecast: [02:32]–[03:14]
• Secretary Marco Rubio’s End of Year Conference: [03:14]–[04:04]
• Upcoming Vatican Convocation: [04:04]–[04:28]

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This newscast offers a concise yet comprehensive update on pressing US and world events, military actions, high-profile legal developments, political news, and cultural updates, maintaining a factual tone with direct source attributions and relevant quotes for context.

Transcript

[Paul Stevens]

Answering back. I'm Paul Stevens, FOX News. Dozens of ISIS targets destroyed yesterday and with what War Secretary Pete Hegseth calls a declaration of vengeance.

[Ainsley Earhart]

The US Launching retaliatory strikes in Syria in response to last weekend's killing of three Americans. The US hit more than 70 sites targeting ISIS fighters, infrastructure and weapons sites. Two Iowa National Guard members and a U.S. civilian interpreter were killed last Saturday. They were in eastern Syria as part of a coalition fighting ISIS.

[Paul Stevens]

And that's Fox's Chanley Painter. Three other U.S. soldiers had reportedly also been wounded by the ISIS attack. President Trump claiming the Syrian government supported these strikes. The Department of Justice's push to release all of its files connected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's sex trafficking cases. Drawing fire for website glitches, missing documents and many redactions.

[Chanley Painter]

The documents are not labeled with any great detail. There are plenty of photographs, but many have no names, dates or location. And context is really empty in some of them. Some of the photos are of mature content. Now there are several photos of former President Bill Clinton. Within the first few documents, he's recognizable, unlike many others in many photos. But the photos of Clinton don't have any context. Now there are some photos with Clinton and other faces blacked out. DOJ says that is to protect any potential victims. One of the photos shows the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger sitting around a table. But again, no context is provided.

[Paul Stevens]

And that's Fox's David Spunt. We should tell you that Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York ending her push to become New York's next governor. She also will not seek reelection to the House. In a message posted on X Stefan Exciting her family is a reason for stepping out of the 2026 race to unseat Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul. America's listening to Fox.

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[Paul Stevens]

A record number of Americans are set to travel for the holidays this year. That could mean delays.

[Mike Emanuel]

AAA is predicting more than 122 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home, a 2.2% increase from last year. It's a trend that's been accelerating since the end of the COVID pandemic. Most of the holiday travelers will be in cars, but at least 8 million are expected to fly to their destinations, about 200,000 more than last year. And travel experts are telling folks to plan ahead, book flights early and allow extra time, some suggesting getting to the airport about three hours before your flight takes off. In Washington, Mike Emanuel, FOX News Secretary.

[Paul Stevens]

Of State Marco Rubio defending military operations against suspected drug running vessels targeted in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. This during a marathon end of year news conference on Friday.

[Marco Rubio]

I can tell you that to this point, the nothing has happened that requires us to notify Congress or get congressional approval or cross the threshold into war.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Rubio also insisted negotiating with dictator Nicolas Maduro to avoid war is not an option.

[Marco Rubio]

So look, it's hard to have and do a deal with someone who never keeps a deal.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Rubio defended the administration's record on dealing with economic superpower China.

[Marco Rubio]

China is going to be, is and it will continue to be a rich and powerful country and a factor in geopolitics. And we have to deal with them and we have to find the things we are able to work together on.

[Ainsley Earhart]

And his own record, too.

[Marco Rubio]

I think I've been nice to China.

[Ainsley Earhart]

He also touted the ceasefire underway in Gaza since October.

[Paul Stevens]

And that is fox's Gillian Turner. All Catholic cardinals will be gathering at the Vatican after the new year. The Vatican confirming today the convocation set to take place January 7th and 8th to discuss the future of the Catholic Church. This coming after Pope Leo XIV appointed Bishop Ronald Hicks of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, as the next archbishop of New York. I'm Paul Stevens. This is FOX News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[Chanley Painter]

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.