Fox News Hourly Update – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Another Trump Attempt to Stop Russia's War in Ukraine
Date: December 29, 2025
Host: FOX News Podcasts Team (Dave Anthony, Ainsley Earhardt)

Episode Overview

This episode provides rapid updates on major international developments, with a primary focus on former President Donald Trump’s recent involvement in Ukraine peace negotiations. Further segments spotlight the ongoing conflicts in Gaza, heightened tensions in Taiwan, a judicial update on the January 5th pipe bomb case, the Utah Valley Charlie Kirk case, severe winter weather across the northern U.S., and a quick sports and market rundown.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.-Brokered Ukraine Peace Plan

• Main Theme: Former President Trump hosts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago to discuss a possible U.S.-brokered peace deal with Russia.

• Key Developments:

  • Progress was made in negotiations, but territorial disputes—especially over the Donbas region—remain a sticking point.
  • Zelensky emphasizes that any territorial concessions would be unacceptable to the Ukrainian public.
  • A snippet from Zelensky’s interview with Fox’s Brett Baer reiterates the deep opposition among Ukrainians to cede land.

  Memorable Quotes:

  • Dave Anthony (00:25):
    “There are one or two very thorny issues, very tough issues. But I think we're doing very well. We've made a lot of progress today. One of those thorny issues: who gets what land and being fought over.”
  • Volodymyr Zelensky [paraphrased by Dave Anthony] (00:40):
    “Ukrainians oppose giving up the Donbas region to Russia. It will be big risks for Ukraine, not acceptable by Ukrainians, but they will just personally, and referendum will not be positive.”

• Context: Russian President Putin refuses to back down, signaling continued military operations, targeting Zaporizhzhia.

2. Diplomatic Moves in the Middle East

• Main Theme: Trump to meet Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding Gaza and Iran.
• Key Developments:

  • Netanyahu set to brief Trump on Iran’s missile program and the Gaza peace process.

  • Iran declares itself in "full fledged war" with the U.S., Israel, and Europe.

    Quote:

    • Ainsley Earhardt (01:16):
      “Netanyahu will also give Trump an update on Iran and its ballistic missile program. And it all comes as Iran's president is saying they're in a full fledged war with the US Israel and Europe saying they don't want his country to be stable.”

3. China–Taiwan Tensions

• Main Theme: China increases military activity near Taiwan.
• Key Developments:

  • China stages large-scale military drills in response to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.

  • Japan’s prime minister signals possible military involvement in the event of Chinese aggression.

    Quote:

    • Dave Anthony (01:33):
      “China is flexing its muscle near Taiwan, doing military drills... The move comes in response to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.”
    • “Japan's prime minister says his military could get involved if China were to take forcible action against Taiwan.”

4. Domestic Security and Legal Updates

Pipe Bomb Investigation (Capitol Riot Eve)

• Theme: Updates on the 2021 pipe bomb case.
• News:

  • Brian Cole Jr. confessed to planting inactive bombs at both Democratic and Republican HQs on January 5, 2021.

    Quote:

    • Dave Anthony (02:31):
      “Justice Department documents show the Virginia man accused of planting the pipe bombs... confessed... They were found January 5, 2021, the night before the infamous Capitol riot.”

The Charlie Kirk Utah Shooting Case

• Theme: Ongoing legal proceedings.
• Details:

  • Legal wrangling over gag orders and requests for prosecutor removal, citing conflict of interest.

  • The judge will consider releasing closed-door hearing transcripts to the public.

    Quote:

    • Ainsley Earhardt (02:58):
      “Judge Tony Graf is expected to reconsider the gag order in this case after prosecutors argued against what they called an unlawful prior restraint on speech.”

5. Severe Winter Weather

• Theme: Blizzard-like conditions across the northern U.S.
• Details:

  • States impacted: Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine.

  • 440 flights canceled, >1,500 delayed; conditions causing travel hazards.

  • 50–60 mph winds creating low visibility, even scaling back doesn’t end the risks.

    Quote:

    • Adam Klotz, FOX meteorologist (03:39):
      “At times, this has been up to a blizzard that's beginning to scale back... But there's still some blizzard warnings... Winds have been 50, 60 miles an hour. So any snow that's already on the ground [is] still blowing around, making visibility very low..."

6. Brief Updates: Markets & NFL

• Stocks: Futures falling into year's end.

• NFL: San Francisco 49ers win sixth straight; “showdown” set with Seattle for the division.

• Seattle Seahawks: Also win sixth consecutive game.

  Quote:

  • Dave Anthony (04:11):
    “On Sunday Night Football, San Francisco beat Chicago 42–38, the 49ers sixth straight win, setting up a showdown with Seattle... The Seahawks also won a sixth game in a row...”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “That's the hard part. Yeah. Is the territory. That's the hard part.” – Brett Baer and Volodymyr Zelensky (00:35)
• “It will be big risks for Ukraine not acceptable by Ukrainians... and referendum will not be positive.” – Zelensky (00:45)
• “Japan's prime minister says his country's military could get involved if China were to take forcible action against Taiwan.” – Ryan Schmelz (01:56)
• “There are about 440 flights canceled, more than 1,500 delayed. After over 21,000 weekend delays.” – Adam Klotz (03:53)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:03–01:16 — Ukraine Peace Talks, Trump–Zelensky Meeting, Russia’s Position
• 01:16–01:33 — Netanyahu-Trump Talks, Gaza, Iran’s Statements
• 01:33–02:00 — China–Taiwan Tensions, Japan’s Response
• 02:31–02:58 — Pipe Bomb Investigation Updates, Capitol Riot Context
• 02:58–03:39 — Charlie Kirk Utah Shooting Case Legal Updates
• 03:39–04:11 — Winter Storm, Air Travel Impacts
• 04:11–04:28 — Stock Market and NFL Updates

Conclusion

This episode distills fast-moving global and domestic news, foregrounding diplomatic attempts at peace in Ukraine, the complexity of territorial disputes, and the interplay of U.S. foreign policy with developments in Israel, Iran, China, and Taiwan. Domestic stories interlace high-profile legal proceedings and severe weather impacts. The tone remains concise yet pressing, balancing headline clarity with recurrent urgency.