Fox News Hourly Update – Detailed Summary of 10AM ET Newscast (July 4, 2025)
House Republicans Celebrate Passage of the "Big Beautiful Bill"
[00:02]
Host Chris Foster opens the broadcast by announcing a significant legislative achievement by House Republicans. The party successfully passed the "Big Beautiful Bill" through the lower chamber for the second time, surpassing President Trump's previously set deadline. This accomplishment has prompted celebratory chants of "Mike, Mike, Mike" in honor of House Speaker Mike Johnson's leadership.
[00:19]
Mike Johnson, House Speaker, addresses the House Republicans, highlighting the ambitious timeline set for the bill's passage:
"And you put this audacious timeline. You said you were going to pass it out of the House by Memorial Day. I mean, some of you openly laughed at me when I said that back in early February. And then we said we would get it done by July 4th. We beat Memorial Day by four days and we got this one done a day early. I just want to point out."
Republican Leadership and Legislative Strategy
[00:35]
Rebecca Castor, Fox News reporter, provides further insight into the political dynamics surrounding the bill's passage. She emphasizes Speaker Mike Johnson's role as a "miracle worker" for securing the necessary votes amidst internal disagreements within the Republican Party.
"House Speaker Mike Johnson is being declared a miracle worker after wrangling enough votes to get this done. It took days of arm twisting with some Republicans concerned over cuts to Medicaid and SNAP programs, while others still think the bill didn't cut enough spending. In the end, Republicans only lost two votes."
(Timestamp [00:35])
Rebecca also reports on former President Trump's celebratory rally in Iowa, which coincided with the bill's passage, underscoring the momentum within the Republican ranks.
Democratic Opposition and Criticism
Democrats have voiced strong opposition to the "Big Beautiful Bill." Former President Joe Biden labeled the legislation as "cruel," while Vice President Kamala Harris warned that it would "devastate millions of people across the nation."
"Former President Biden called the bill cruel. And Kamala Harris says it will devastate millions of people across the nation."
(Timestamp [00:35])
These criticisms highlight the partisan divide over the bill's implications on social programs and fiscal policies.
Presidential Action Expected
The bill is slated for presidential approval, with President Trump expected to sign it at 5 PM at the White House, marking the culmination of the legislative process.
International Affairs: Ukraine and Russia Tensions Escalate
[01:11]
Shifting to international news, Chris Foster reports that Kyiv, Ukraine, faced waves of drone and missile attacks overnight. This marks the largest aerial assault since Russia's invasion began over three years ago, intensifying the ongoing conflict in the region.
President Trump's Diplomatic Engagement with Vladimir Putin
[01:29]
Fox News' Jared Halpern provides an update on President Trump's diplomatic efforts, specifically his recent lengthy phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The discussion centered around Iran and strategies to end the war in Ukraine.
"President Trump says he had a lengthy call with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Iran and ending the war in Ukraine."
(Timestamp [01:29])
However, President Trump expressed frustration over the lack of progress during the call:
"But no, I didn't make any progress with him today at all."
(Timestamp [01:35])
Furthermore, the President conveyed his dissatisfaction with the current situation and responded to criticisms regarding the conflict.
"The president says he's not happy with the situation and pushed back on criticism."
(Timestamp [01:39])
In a related development, some shipments of weapons to Ukraine are being paused, signaling potential shifts in U.S. support amidst the strained relations.
A Kremlin official responded by affirming Russia's unwavering stance on its objectives in Ukraine, insisting that any peace talks must occur directly between Moscow and Kyiv.
"Putin told President Trump Russia is not stepping back from its goals in Ukraine and peace talks must be between Moscow and Kiev."
(Timestamp [04:08])
Conclusion
The July 4, 2025, episode of the Fox News Hourly Update covered significant domestic legislative achievements by House Republicans, marked by internal party dynamics and bipartisan criticisms. On the international front, escalating tensions in Ukraine and stalled diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Russia were prominently featured, underscoring the complexities of ongoing geopolitical conflicts.
This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the Fox News Hourly Update episode aired on July 4, 2025. Notable quotes are included with speaker attribution and timestamps for reference.
