Fox News Hourly Update Episode: 10AM ET 07/18/2025 Newscast Release Date: July 18, 2025
1. Stephen Colbert’s Show Cancellation Sparks Controversy
The day began with significant news in the entertainment sector as Stephen Colbert announced the cancellation of his late-night show. In a heartfelt message, Colbert revealed, “Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending the late show in May and CBS is calling” (00:17). This revelation was met with approval from President Trump, who took to Truth Social to express his delight over the decision, citing financial reasons. Dave Anthony reported, “The president wrote Colbert's talent was even less than his ratings” (00:30).
Fox News' Ted Lindner delved deeper into the potential motives behind the cancellation, especially in light of Colbert's recent criticisms of CBS's parent company, Paramount. Colbert had labeled Paramount’s settlement with President Trump as a “big fat bribe” (00:34). Lindner questioned whether the decision to cancel the show was politically motivated, highlighting that “The public deserves to know” (00:46).
2. President Trump Advances Legislative Agenda
Shifting focus to legislative updates, President Trump is set to hold a signing ceremony celebrating Republican victories in the House and Senate. Two significant bills are on the table:
- Stablecoin Cryptocurrency Regulation: Introducing frameworks for digital currencies.
- Federal Spending Rescissions: Aiming to claw back previously approved federal expenditures deemed wasteful.
Ryan Schmelz provided insights into the rescissions package, noting, “The rescissions package cuts $9 billion in spending on foreign aid and public broadcasting and has been seen as a test run for future spending cuts” (01:06). Schmelz also highlighted the Democrats' opposition, emphasizing that the cuts “were already approved by Congress through a bipartisan agreement and that agreement has now been broken” (01:26).
3. Jeffrey Epstein Case Reignites Political Debate
The controversial Jeffrey Epstein case resurfaced as President Trump dismissed the allegations as a “hoax”, asserting that Democrats are “conning” his supporters to demand the release of Epstein's grand jury files. Dave Anthony reported, “Epstein did not leave behind a client's list when he committed suicide” (01:26).
Peter Ducey added that the President is urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to release the grand jury materials. “The first step going to be for the Justice Department possibly today to get a judge in New York assigned to this effort,” Ducey explained (01:58).
4. Market and Economic Overview
In economic news, the stock markets showed mixed performance. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped by 55 points, while the Nasdaq surged by 52 points, continuing its trend from the previous day’s record high. The S&P 500 also rose by 12 points, maintaining its upward trajectory.
Oil prices climbed to over $68 a barrel, a nearly dollar increase, yet gas prices experienced a slight decline. AAA reported the national average for regular gasoline dropped to $3.15 per gallon, marking a “$0.03 less than a month ago, $0.35 cheaper than a year ago” (02:16).
5. Treasury Secretary at the 2025 World Expo in Japan
Jonathan Savage reported on Treasury Secretary Besant's presence at the 2025 World Expo in Japan. The expo, held every five years and lasting six months, serves as a platform for showcasing technological advancements and fostering international business relationships. Secretary Besant is concurrently engaging in bilateral meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to discuss ongoing trade talks. “All the while, the minds of many will be on the ongoing trade talks between Japan and the US and the prospect of steep tariffs if no deal is agreed,” Savage noted (02:52).
6. Alert on AI Voice-Generated Scams
A concerning trend of AI-generated voice scams was highlighted by Dave Anthony, who warned listeners about a recent incident targeting a mother in Florida. Ted Lindner detailed the case of Sharon Brightwell, who received a distressing call purportedly from her daughter alleging she was in trouble for texting and driving. Brightwell believed the call was genuine and proceeded to assist by transferring money when a man posing as her daughter's attorney demanded funds for bond release. Lindner emphasized the sophistication of such scams, “Convinced the call was authentic, paid attention when a man took over the call” (03:32).
7. Sports Update: Open Championship in Northern Ireland
Turning to sports, the Open Championship's second round is in full swing in Northern Ireland. American golfer Brian Harmon, the Open champion from two years prior, currently leads with a one-shot advantage at eight under par. Dave Anthony provided the latest update, stating, “American Brian Harmon, who won the Open two years ago, has a one shot lead at eight under par” (04:00).
Note: The episode also featured promotions for other Fox News segments, including Jason Chaffetz’s "Unsolved with James Patterson". These segments delve into unsolved crimes and deeper political analyses. For more information, visit foxnewspodcast.com or your preferred podcast platform.