Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: Trump/Mamdani Meeting Surprisingly Cordial
Date: November 21, 2025
Host: FOX News Podcasts

Episode Overview

This hour’s FOX News update is anchored by Lisa Licera and covers major national stories, with the lead segment focusing on the unexpectedly cordial meeting between President Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani. Other headlines include developments in Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations, NCAA regulations on sports betting, Wall Street market updates, a North Carolina redistricting ruling, a New Jersey special election, a homeowners association legal dispute in Florida, and new allegations against Motown figure Smokey Robinson.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Surprising Trump-Mamdani Meeting at the White House

[00:02–00:50]

• Background: President Trump and Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani (a Democratic socialist) have previously exchanged public insults, with Trump threatening to withhold funding from New York City.
• Current Development: The tone was markedly changed as the two met face-to-face in the Oval Office, seeking to collaborate for the city’s benefit.
• Trump’s Endorsement:
  • Quote:

    "I feel very confident that he can do a very good job. I think, I think he's going to be, I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually."
    — President Trump [00:22]

• Mamdani’s Approach:
  • Emphasized that his campaign focused on everyday issues, especially the cost of living, which resonated with some Trump supporters in NYC.
  • Quote:

    "Cost of living, cost of living, cost of living. And they spoke about the cost of groceries, the cost of rent, the cost of con ed, the cost of childcare."
    — Zoran Mamdani [00:38]

• Topics discussed included public safety and affordable housing.
• Tone: Noted as surprisingly constructive after a contentious campaign.

2. Ukraine-Russia: U.S. Peace Plan Push

[00:50–01:14]

• Trump’s Comments:
  • Quote:

    "We have a way of getting peace. We think we have a way of getting peace. He's going to have to approve it."
    — President Trump, referring to Zelensky [00:56]

• The U.S.-backed plan would require Ukraine to cede territory and reduce the size of its military.
• Ukrainian President Zelensky sees a painful decision between safeguarding sovereignty and retaining U.S. support.
• Senate Reaction:
  • Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker, Senate Armed Services Committee chair, is highly skeptical:

    "This so called peace plan has real problems. And he writes he's highly skeptical it will achieve peace."
    — (as reported by Lisa Licera) [01:14]

3. NCAA & Sports Betting Crackdown

[01:20–01:35]

• NCAA reverses a planned rule change; athletes and staff will remain barred from betting on professional sports.
• Prompted by eligibility revocations for six men’s basketball players over betting allegations.
• No direct quotes; reported by Lisa Licera.

4. Wall Street Market Recap

[01:36–01:41]

• Volatility noted, but major indices ended up:
  • Dow +493
  • Nasdaq +195

5. North Carolina Redistricting Court Ruling

[02:30–03:00]

• Federal appeals panel upholds state’s 2023 redistricting map.
• Partisan gerrymandering is allowed; racial gerrymandering is not.
• Judges found no proof that race was used to redraw lines despite impact on Black voters.
• Quote (Jessica Rosenthal):

  "The judges found that due to the high number of black voters in the state, changes would naturally impact black voters. A more recent change to make the state's first Congressional District lean red has not been ruled on yet."
  — Jessica Rosenthal [02:54]

6. New Jersey Special Election Announced

[03:20–03:32]

• Special election will be held in April to fill the congressional seat vacated by Mikie Sherrill, now Governor-elect.

7. Florida HOA Settles Religious Symbol Lawsuit

[03:43–04:14]

• Villages community fined residents Wayne and Bonnie Anderson for keeping a 1-foot cross in their yard ($25/day, claims reached $44,000).
• After five years, HOA agreed to a $243,000 settlement; the cross stays.
• Quote (Jack Callahan):

  "They said no and were fined $25 a day. The last I heard was $44,000. The Andersons refused to pay, so the homeowners association sued them. Now, more than five years later, a court ordered settlement. The HOA pays $173,000 in court costs and legal fees and 70 grand to the Andersons and agrees the cross can stay."
  — Jack Callahan [03:50]

8. New Allegations Against Smokey Robinson

[04:14–04:28]

• Two additional former employees accuse Smokey Robinson and his wife of sexual assault.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump on Mamdani:

  "I feel very confident that he can do a very good job. I think, I think he's going to be, I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually."
  [00:22]

• Zoran Mamdani on winning Trump supporters:

  "Cost of living, cost of living, cost of living. And they spoke about the cost of groceries, the cost of rent, the cost of con ed, the cost of childcare."
  [00:38]

• President Trump on Ukraine peace plan:

  "We have a way of getting peace. We think we have a way of getting peace. He's going to have to approve it."
  [00:56]

• Roger Wicker’s skepticism:

  "This so called peace plan has real problems. And he writes he's highly skeptical it will achieve peace."
  [01:14]

• Jack Callahan on Florida HOA dispute:

  "Now, more than five years later, a court ordered settlement. The HOA pays $173,000 in court costs and legal fees and 70 grand to the Andersons and agrees the cross can stay."
  [03:50]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:02] — Trump/Mamdani White House meeting
• [00:50] — Ukraine-Russia peace plan discussion
• [01:20] — NCAA bans sports betting for athletes and staff
• [01:36] — Stocks finish higher after volatile trading
• [02:30] — North Carolina redistricting court ruling
• [03:20] — NJ special election announced
• [03:43] — Florida HOA lawsuit settlement
• [04:14] — New allegations against Smokey Robinson

Summary

This FOX News Hourly Update spotlights the unexpectedly warm and practical tone between President Trump and New York City’s new mayor, Zoran Mamdani, as issues like public safety and cost of living bridge partisan divides. In global and national news, contentious moves on Ukraine peace, sports betting regulations, and redistricting dominate, while local stories like a Florida HOA's costly legal battle over a yard cross highlight enduring tensions over personal rights.

Overall, the episode is brisk, focused, and highlights how both local and national disputes remain deeply relevant to American audiences.