Days of our Lives, September 16, 2025: Tony's announcement raises tension throughout Salem

Here’s your Days of our Lives recap for what happened on September 16, 2025, when Tony dropped a bombshell, Alex argued with Stephanie, and Sarah lamented her choices.

What happened on Days of our Lives

Tony interrupted the press conference for “One Stormy Night” to announce that he had filed a lawsuit to contest the takeover of DiMera Enterprises. “On what grounds?” Leo asked. “Fraud,” Tony said. After Gabi saw a news alert on her phone, she rushed over to the square. “All will be revealed in due time,” Tony told the gaggle of reporters.

In the Kiriakis mansion, Sarah pushed Philip to be honest with her about whether Xander had beaten him up. Philip stuck to his lie. Philip told Sarah about how Xander had saved him from choking to death at the office. In the hallway, Xander eavesdropped on the conversation.

”The guy had the perfect opportunity to let me die if that’s what he really wanted,” Philip said. Philip called Xander heroic. “Does that sound like somebody who would beat the crap out of his own brother?” Philip asked. Xander returned to the room.

”I feel so awful. I was wrong about you,” Sarah said to Xander. Frustrated, Xander said he was hurt that Sarah had decided to use Victoria’s party as an opportunity to question Philip about his attack again.

“My brother and I came here together in a genuine attempt to peacefully coexist, which is what you wanted. And you undermine it the first chance you get,” Xander grumbled. Sarah apologized. “Can you ever forgive me?” Sarah asked. Before Xander could respond, Alex called to warn him about Tony’s lawsuit.

After Alex talked to Xander, he walked over to Tony at the edge of the square. “If Xander and Philip are wise, they’ll settle this like gentlemen before our families become entangled in a very expensive legal trial that they are certain to lose,” Tony said. With a grin, Tony walked away. Stephanie asked Alex how she could help, but Alex said he needed to go.

Stephanie went to the podium to address the reporters. As Leo asked Stephanie if she had details about the lawsuit, she watched Gabi pursue Tony out of the square. Stephanie announced that the SEC had approved the acquisition, and Tony’s accusation of fraud was speculation. Stephanie ended the press conference.

When Maggie returned to her living room, Sarah announced, “Tony DiMera just filed a lawsuit against Xander and Philip.” Maggie asked Sarah if Xander and Philip had expected the lawsuit. Sarah noted that it would explain why Xander had decided to make Philip a legitimate co-CEO.

”When Philip was beaten, I assumed it was Xander. And I used it as evidence that I was right about Xander all along, and I used it as a justification for lying to him and for not trusting him, and for taking Victoria away from him,” Sarah said. Sarah lamented that her marriage had fallen apart because she had not believed Xander.

“I thought he was guilty too,” Maggie said. Sarah noted that Philip had consistently said that Xander had not been his assailant, and she had refused to believe it. ”And I just kept trying to bust my husband, and at our daughter’s birthday party,” Sarah said as she sniffled back tears.

When Maggie argued that Sarah had wanted to learn the truth, Sarah countered that the truth was that she had continued to hurt Xander despite the evidence. “I was so wrong about him, Mom. Xander didn’t betray me by committing a horrible and brutal act. I betrayed him,” Sarah said. Maggie asked Sarah if there was a possibility of reconciliation with Xander.

”I don’t know. It was so much more than Xander’s temper that drove us apart. I mean he can’t forgive me for not telling him that Philip’s letter was a forgery,” Sarah said. “But you love each other,” Maggie said.

At the Brady Pub, Theo ran into Chad. Chad asked Theo if he was in town to stay, but Theo said he was not sure. Talk turned to DiMera Enterprises, and Theo said he was dismayed that they had lost control of the family company. Chad admitted that he had made no attempt to stop the takeover.

”Why the hell not?” Theo asked. Chad explained he was tired of all the family fighting over the company. Theo admitted that the newspaper was a better match for Chad. “I finally have something to myself that isn’t tied to Stefano or my siblings,” Chad said. Chad added that he got to honor Abigail with his work.

Curious, Chad asked Theo why he was interested in DiMera. “I heard talk about Uncle Tony getting the company back and I was curious to get your take,” Theo said. When Theo asked if Chad would return if Tony was successful, Chad said no.

”I think the next person who’s going to run DiMera should be somebody new and young, you know with a fresh set of ideas,” Chad said. Theo nodded. Theo asked about Chad’s kids, and when Chad grabbed his phone to share photos, he saw news alerts about Tony’s lawsuit. ”I wonder what evidence he has,” Theo said.

With a shrug, Chad showed Theo pictures of Thomas and Charlotte. “Are they adjusting okay?” Theo asked. Chad noted that Julie helped them, but she was struggling herself since Doug’s death. Theo asked about Chad’s love life, but Chad deflected back to Theo. Chad and Theo told one another that they would find someone soon.

Outside the Brady Pub, Gabi caught up with Tony. Gabi complained that Tony had not given her the heads up about his bombshell. Tony explained he had spontaneously decided to take over the press conference. “Xander and Philip must be losing their minds trying to figure out what to do. I almost feel sorry for them” Gabi said. Tony reminded Gabi that he had not won the lawsuit yet. Tony explained that the best option for both companies was to settle out of court. Gabi asked when she would be installed as CEO of DiMera. Tony told Gabi to be patient. “Before you know it, DiMera’s rightful CEO will be at the helm,” Tony said.

Xander paced his office at Titan-DiMera and complained to Philip about Tony. When Alex arrived, he said, “[Tony] wants you two to settle out of court.” Alex asked about the CEO papers, and Xander admitted that legal was still working on them. “You understand now it’s too late?” Alex yelled. “And whose fault is that?” Xander countered. Xander and Alex bickered about who was more at fault. Xander blamed Stephanie. “None of this is Stephanie’s responsibility. She’s not the one who committed fraud!” Alex yelled. “No, that would be me,” Philip admitted. Xander dismissed Alex.

After Alex left, Philip noted that Xander had been too hard on Alex. Philip argued that it was not Stephanie and Alex’s fault that legal had been unable to finish the paperwork in time. “We both know the only one to blame for this fiasco is me,” Philip said. Xander had a tense phone call with the legal department, and he gripped the phone tightly. “Breathe,” Xander whispered. Xander visibly calmed down.

”Those sessions with Marlena are really paying off, bro,” Philip said. Xander glowered at Philip. Xander explained that Tony had not formally served the company with papers for the lawsuit yet. “You and I both know this can never get to court,” Xander said. “So what’s the plan?” Philip asked. Xander suggested they determine what Tony wants first.

Alex met up with Stephanie at her apartment. Alex apologized to Stephanie for having her first big author press conference ruined. “What are you guys gonna do now?” Stephanie asked. “Xander is freezing me out because I failed him,” Alex said. Stephanie asked if Xander had meant that Stephanie had failed the company because she had not learned the name of Steve’s client. Frustrated, Alex wondered aloud why Steve would take on Tony as a client.

“He assured me he was not hired by a DiMera,” Stephanie stressed. Stephanie argued that although Steve could not violate his client’s privacy, he had been generous enough to give up the investigation at her request. ”I wish I didn’t ask you for help,” Alex said. Stephanie’s mouth gaped. “That makes two of us,” Stephanie said.

Frustrated, Alex reminded Stephanie that she had been involved in the fraud before he had asked her for PR help. “[But] It is not my fault that your cousin took his sweet time listening to my advice,” Stephanie said. Alex was snippy with Stephanie, and she reminded him that she had attempted to help. “Unfortunately, you didn’t,” Alex snapped. Alex walked out.

In the Hernandez kitchen, Leo was submitting his story for the paper when Gabi returned home. Leo accused Gabi of having prior knowledge of the lawsuit. “How the hell would I have known that?” Gabi asked. Leo said he had seen Gabi run after Tony. Gabi explained that she had wanted to learn Tony’s plans and how it would affect Gabi Chic.

Leo told Gabi that he had talked to Javi about Solana. “And knowing that we are about to give up Tesoro soon, it’s bringing back a lot of painful memories for Javi,” Leo said. Leo asked Gabi for advice on how to help Javi through the situation. “Be there for him. Love him. That’s all you really can do,” Gabi said. Gabi reluctantly admitted that she was glad that Javi had Leo to help him through his pain.

As Theo exited the Brady Pub, Tony called out to him. “Have you given any thought to what we discussed?” Tony asked. “I’m still thinking,” Theo said. Theo walked away as Tony took a call from Xander about setting up a meeting. “I‘ll give you a call tomorrow to let you know what time works for me,” Tony said.

Stream Days of our Lives on the Peacock app.