10AM ET 05/17/2026 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update – 10AM ET, 05/17/2026

Host: Ann Kerik, FOX News Podcasts
Date: May 17, 2026

---

Episode Overview

The May 17th, 2026 hour brings major political and international news: a surprising Senate shakeup in Louisiana, diplomatic standoffs with Iran, developments in a high-profile embassy staff murder case, a major gender medicine settlement in Texas, and highlights from the Preakness Stakes. The fast-paced cast mixes breaking news with direct quotes from political leaders and reporters.

---

Key Discussion Points

1. Louisiana Senate Race Shocker

• Incumbent Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy loses primary
  • Cassidy, a Trump critic, finished third, ending his reelection bid ([00:02–00:19]).
  • Julia Letlow (Trump-backed) and Treasurer John Fleming advance to June runoff.
  • Cassidy faced sustained backlash for his vote to convict Trump during the second impeachment.
  • Trump responded with characteristic bluntness:
    • Quote: “A disloyal disaster for Democrats.” – President Trump on Cassidy ([00:41])
  • Explanation: Under Louisiana rules, a runoff is required without a majority winner.

2. Middle East Tensions & US-Iran Diplomacy

• Trump issues warning to Iran ([00:52–01:41])

  • President Trump, returning from China, delivers an ultimatum regarding peace talks.
  • Tensions in the Middle East remain high; diplomatic efforts stall over nuclear concessions.
  • Quote:
    • “I looked at it and if I don't like the first sentence, I just throw it away…They fully agreed no nuclear. And if they have any nuclear of any form, I don't read the rest of them.” – President Trump ([01:25])
  • The USS Gerald R. Ford returns after the longest carrier deployment since Vietnam ([01:41]).

• Iranian Defiance

  • Iranian officials vow continued uranium enrichment despite US pressure ([01:50]).

3. Washington DC: Embassy Staff Murder Developments

• Suspect charged, hate crime angles emphasized ([02:39–03:32])
  • Elias Rodriguez indicted: murder, terrorism, hate crimes.
  • Attack at Capitol Jewish Museum; victims Sarah Milgram and Jerome Leshinsky.
  • Rodriguez’s motivation: expressed pro-Palestinian sentiment during/after crime.
  • Quote:
    • “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.” – Rodriguez, per court filings ([03:19])
  • DOJ pursuing the death penalty.

4. Texas Children’s Hospital Settlement on Gender Medicine

• Hospital disciplines doctors, pays $10M after Medicaid probe ([03:32–04:27])
  • Houston hospital to open "detransition clinic," cease puberty blocker prescriptions.
  • Texas AG Ken Paxton led the investigation, alleging fraudulent Medicaid billing.
  • Five doctors performing gender transition surgeries fired as part of settlement.
  • Quote:
    • “Five woke doctors who performed gender transition surgeries on children.” – Statement summarized by Deborah Valentine ([04:13])

5. Sports Highlight: The Preakness Stakes

• Napoleon Solo wins ([04:27–04:37])
  • Edges out Iron Honor at Laurel Park.
  • Absence of Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo led to a more open race.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump on Senate Critic Bill Cassidy:
  • “A disloyal disaster for Democrats.” ([00:41])
• Trump on Iran Nuclear Talks:
  • “If I don’t like the first sentence, I just throw it away…They fully agreed no nuclear. And if they have any nuclear of any form, I don’t read the rest…” ([01:25])
• Murder Suspect’s Statement in DC Shooting:
  • “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.” ([03:19])
• Texas Attorney General's Emphasis in Hospital Case:
  • “[The settlement mandated TCH fire.] Five woke doctors who performed gender transition surgeries on children.” ([04:13])

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Louisiana Senate Primary and Cassidy Out: [00:02–00:52]
• Trump/Iran Diplomacy & Middle East Tensions: [00:52–01:50]
• Murder of Israeli Embassy Staffers – New Details: [02:39–03:32]
• Texas Children’s Hospital Gender Medicine Settlement: [03:32–04:27]
• Preakness Stakes Results: [04:27–04:37]

---

Tone and Coverage

The delivery is rapid, direct, and in keeping with Fox News’ signature style: focused on urgent headlines, clear-cut conflict, and high political stakes. There’s notable reliance on direct quotes from prominent political figures (especially President Trump), as well as unfiltered attributions from source documents and officials.

---

For listeners wanting a succinct but thorough rundown of major U.S. and international stories on May 17, 2026, this update delivers essential facts, key player perspectives, and a preview of political and policy shifts to watch in the coming weeks.

Transcript

[Ann Kerik]

A major shake up in the US Senate overnight in Louisiana. I'm Ann Kerik, Fox News. Republican senator and vocal Trump critic Bill Cassidy defeated in Louisiana's Senate primary. Trump backed Congresswoman Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming advancing to a runoff in June. Fox's Chanley Painter.

[Chanley Painter]

Incumbent Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy finished third in the Republican primary, ending his bid for reelection. And While Letlow finished first by nearly 20 points, Louisiana election rules call for for a runoff between the top two candidates if no candidate wins a majority of the vote. Cassidy, who faced backlash from many Republicans after voting to convict President Trump in his second impeachment trial following the January 6 riot at the US Capitol. He also broke with President Trump on key issues. The president calling Cassidy a, quote, disloyal disaster for Democrats.

[Ann Kerik]

Jamie Davis advanced to a runoff with the second spot too close to call. President Trump warning Iran will face a very bad time if a peace agreement is not reached soon. Trey yingst, Intelligence TEL Aviv Tension remains

[Unnamed Fox News Correspondent]

high across the Middle east as the region waits to see if the war will resume in the days ahead. So far, diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement have been unsuccessful, with Iran unwilling to make the necessary concessions to reach a deal. President Trump spoke on his return flight from China, indicating that he didn't like the first sentence of the Iranian response to the US Proposal.

[Donald Trump]

I looked at it and if I don't like the first sentence, I just throw it away. What was the first sentence? An unacceptable sentence. They fully agreed no nuclear. And if they have any nuclear of any form, I don't read the rest of them.

[Unnamed Fox News Correspondent]

And on Saturday, the USS Gerald R. Ford returned to the United States after a deployment that was the longest for an aircraft carrier since the Vietnam War.

[Ann Kerik]

Iranian officials with more defiant statements insisting they will keep enriching uranium. America's listening to Fox News.

[NetSuite by Oracle Announcer]

Every business is asking the same question. How do we make AI work for us? No more waiting with NetSuite by Oracle. You can put AI to work today. NetSuite is the 1 AI Cloud ERP trusted by over 43,000 businesses across almost every industry. It's the unified suite that brings your financials, inventory, commerce, HR and CRM into a single source of truth. That connected data is what makes your AI smarter, helping you make decisions that count. Get our free business guide demystifying [e-mail]

[Ann Kerik]

New details are emerging in the 2025 murder of two Israeli embassy staffers. Fox's Madeleine Rivera has the latest from Washington.

[Madeleine Rivera]

Federal prosecutors say Elias Rodriguez was motivated by political bias and hatred. Rodriguez is now facing multiple charges, including murder, terrorism and hate crimes. Authorities say he planned extensively for this attack, flying to D.C. from Chicago with his gun. Investigators say surveillance video showed Rodriguez shooting 26 year old Sarah Milgram, 30 year old Jerome Leshinsky after they left a young diplomat's reception at the Capitol Jewish Museum. As Milgram tried to crawl away, Rodriguez allegedly approached her and shot more rounds. Court papers state Rodriguez then went inside the museum. He displayed a red cafe and said I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza. And as police officers removed him from the building, he called out repalestine.

[Ann Kerik]

Rodriguez pleaded not guilty. The Justice Department is seeking the death penalty after a sweeping probe by the U.S. justice Department and the state of Texas. A Texas children's hospital will stop administering puberty blockers to children and pay $10 million in penalties. More from Fox's Deborah Valentine Texas Children's

[Deborah Valentine]

Hospital in Houston has agreed to open a detransition clinic funded by the hospital and stop administering puberty blockers to children. It follows a years long investigation which Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote in a statement. Found the hospital fraudulently billed Texas Medicaid for unallowable and illegal gender transition intervent. Baxton also revealed the settlement mandated TCH fire. Five woke doctors who performed gender transition surgeries on children. Deborah Valentine, Fox News Napoleon Solo wins

[Ann Kerik]

this year's Preakness Stakes, holding off Iron Honor at Laurel Park. Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo skipped the race, leaving a wide open field.

[American Home Shield Announcer]

Ah, I'm sensing plumbing problems. Worry not. With American Home Shield you can now video chat with live repair experts for help with home fixes over the phone. Talk to a real human expert over video chat who can help get that home system or appliance back on track. Ah, sounds like peace of mind. American Home Shield don't worry be warranty. Visit ahs.com listen for 20% off any

plan video chat feature available as a benefit to AHS members with select plans. See ahs.com for hours and details.