Fox News Hourly Update – 9PM ET 11/19/2025 Newscast
Date: November 20, 2025
Host: Lisa Licera (FOX News Podcasts)
Episode Overview
This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update delivers a concise rundown of the top U.S. and international news stories, covering breaking legislative actions, political developments, global diplomacy, economic updates, and cultural milestones as of November 19, 2025.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. President Trump Orders Release of Epstein Files
[00:02–00:49]
- Main News: President Trump has signed legislation, the Epstein Files Transparency Act, compelling the Justice Department to release all unclassified files pertaining to Jeffrey Epstein.
- Details:
- Attorney General Pam Bondi has 30 days to make all unclassified Epstein-related records public in a searchable and downloadable format.
- A new DOJ investigation into Democratic ties with Epstein could delay the release due to it being an active case.
- Pam Bondi has not commented on what new information the investigation may uncover.
- Quote:
- Lisa Licera: “President Trump has signed legislation compelling the Justice Department to release all its files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.” [00:02]
2. Fallout from the Epstein Scandal: Larry Summers at Harvard
[00:49–01:13]
- Update: Former US Treasurer and ex-Harvard president Larry Summers has taken a leave of absence from teaching at Harvard.
- Reason: Leaked emails revealed a friendly relationship between Summers and Epstein.
3. U.S.-Ukraine-Russia Diplomacy Efforts
[00:49–01:25]
- What Happened:
- High-level U.S. army officials, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, are in Ukraine to support peace talks.
- U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has reportedly negotiated a peace plan with Russian counterparts, including security guarantees for Ukraine.
- Ukrainian President Zelensky is meeting both with Turkish President Erdogan in Ankara and Pentagon brass in Kyiv.
- Quote:
- “There are reports that envoy Steve Witkoff has hashed out a peace plan with his Russian counterpart including security guarantees for Ukraine.” [01:13]
4. President Trump to Meet NYC Mayor Mamdani
[01:25–02:01]
- News: President Trump announced an upcoming Oval Office meeting with New York City Mayor Alexoran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist and frequent Trump critic.
- Platform: Announced on Truth Social.
- Context: Mamdani has been critical of the president’s immigration stance, while Trump has consistently criticized Mamdani's city policies.
5. Legal News: James Comey Prosecution Challenge
[01:25–02:01]
- Issue: The DOJ admits a potential lapse in the presentation of its case against former FBI Director James Comey to the grand jury, leading to new challenges in the prosecution.
6. Aviation Industry and Government Shutdown Aftermath
[02:31–03:22]
- Senate Subcommittee Hearing:
- Focused on keeping the aviation industry stable during government shutdowns.
- National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Nick Daniels highlighted that air traffic controllers received just one partial paycheck and two zero-dollar paychecks during the last, longest-ever shutdown, despite mandatory overtime.
- Airlines for America CEO Chris Sununu said the shutdown cost $20 billion in GDP losses.
- The Aviation Funding Stability Act (pending in Congress) aims to ensure continuous FAA funding during shutdowns.
- Quote:
- “[During the shutdown] the industry took a $20 billion hit to America's GDP.” – Chris Sununu [02:55]
7. Infant Botulism & Formula Recall
[03:22–03:38]
- Update:
- Infant botulism cases have risen to 31 across at least three states.
- The increase is tied to continued sales of ByHeart formula a week after a nationwide recall.
8. Record-Breaking Auction: Gustav Klimt's Portrait
[03:38–04:16]
- Art Market News:
- Klimt’s portrait of Elizabeth Lederer sold at Sotheby’s New York for a record $236.4 million (including fees), the highest ever for a work of modern art.
- Lederer was from Vienna's wealthiest families and fabricated claims about her parentage to escape Nazi persecution.
- The painting was from the late Leonard Lauder’s estate; Sotheby’s did not disclose the buyer.
9. Stock Market Update
[04:16–04:30]
- Numbers:
- Dow up 47 points, NASDAQ up 131 points.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “President Trump has signed legislation compelling the Justice Department to release all its files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.” – Lisa Licera [00:02]
- “There are reports that envoy Steve Witkoff has hashed out a peace plan with his Russian counterpart including security guarantees for Ukraine.” – Reporter [01:13]
- “[During the shutdown] the industry took a $20 billion hit to America's GDP.” – Chris Sununu [02:55]
Segment Timestamps
- 00:02 – Breaking: Trump signs Epstein Files Transparency Act
- 00:49 – Larry Summers leaves Harvard post amid Epstein ties
- 00:49 – U.S.-Ukraine-Russia diplomacy and peace talk updates
- 01:25 – Trump and NYC Mayor Mamdani to meet at the White House
- 01:25 – DOJ admits challenge in Comey prosecution
- 02:31 – Senate subcommittee investigates aviation industry post-shutdown
- 03:22 – Infant botulism rise linked to formula recall
- 03:38 – Klimt portrait sets modern art auction record
- 04:16 – Stock market update
Summary
This edition of Fox News Hourly Update covers significant developments: the government’s move toward Epstein file transparency, new U.S.-Ukraine-Russia diplomacy, the intersection of the art market and World War II-era history, and sector-specific economic updates. Political, legal, and health stories interweave with global affairs, all presented with Fox’s direct and news-focused tone.