12AM ET 05/27/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 12AM ET 05/27/2026 Newscast

Episode Overview
This Fox News Hourly Update, anchored by Sue Guzman, provides late-night coverage of major political developments, breaking news, and ongoing international and domestic events as of May 27, 2026. Key topics include the dramatic outcome of the Texas Senate runoff, ongoing unrest at an ICE detention facility, U.S.–Iran tensions, impacts on farmers, and U.S. action against drug smuggling in the Eastern Pacific.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Texas Senate Runoff: Ken Paxton Defeats John Cornyn

• [00:02–00:52]
  • Attorney General Ken Paxton, boosted by former President Trump’s late endorsement, defeats incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Republican runoff for U.S. Senate.
  • Brooke Taylor (Fox reporter):
    • Notes overwhelming enthusiasm at Paxton’s campaign headquarters as victory is declared by the Associated Press.
    • Highlights Trump's impact, calling Paxton a "true MAGA warrior" (00:26).
    • Paxton now faces Democrat James Talarico, described as "probably one of the most, if not the most woke candidate that Texas has ever seen" (00:34), and claims Talarico supports an open border.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Brooke Taylor: “Paxton entered with major momentum from the MAGA base, boosted by a late endorsement from President Trump, who called him a, quote, true MAGA warrior.” (00:26)
  • Senator Cornyn insisted he votes “with the president’s agenda 99% of the time,” (00:52) reflecting on his bid for a sixth term.

2. Washington State Paper Mill Incident

• [00:52–01:09]
  • Catastrophic implosion of a chemical tank at a Longview, WA paper mill leaves one dead, nine missing, and nine injured.
  • Emergency responders continue search and recovery efforts at the Nippon Dynaware Packaging company.

3. Protests and Hunger Strike at Newark ICE Facility

• [01:09–01:48]
  • Ongoing protest at Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark, NJ over alleged poor conditions; detainees reportedly on a hunger strike.
  • Tom Homan (White House border czar):
    • Defends ICE, claiming expenditure of $1B on detainee healthcare during Trump’s first term (01:29).
    • Asserts deaths in custody with ICE are lower than in state or federal prisons, despite the challenging health status of many arrivals.
    • Quote:
      • “ICE is a fraction of any state prison or federal facility. A fraction. And we deal with people from third world nations who are in bad shape when we get them.” (01:41)
  • Political fallout:
    • Gov. Mikie Sherrill denied facility access. State Senator Andy Kim calls for center closure (01:48).

4. U.S.–Iran Diplomatic Standoff & Strait of Hormuz Blockade

• [03:07–03:54]
  • President Trump preparing for a cabinet meeting as the U.S. launches defensive strikes in Iran.
  • Iran demands $24B in frozen funds for reopening the Strait of Hormuz (03:21).
  • Sen. Ted Cruz:
    • Warns that meeting Iran's demands poses extreme risks:
      • "If new Iranian leaders are receiving billions of dollars...that outcome would be a disastrous mistake." (03:35)
  • Part of Trump’s strategy includes pushing Gulf partners to join the Abraham Accords and recognize Israel.

5. Fertilizer Supply, Prices, and Impact on U.S. Farmers

• [03:54–04:36]
  • Grady Trimble (Fox Business):
    • Fertilizer prices soared after the Strait closure, slightly eased recently but still up 10% year-on-year.
    • American Farm Bureau survey: Most farmers cannot afford necessary fertilizer.
    • USDA steps: Waiving Jones Act, loosening imports, engaging with suppliers to ease crisis.
  • Additional Impact:
    • Farm diesel prices rose 46% since February.

6. U.S. Kinetic Strikes on Suspected Drug Smugglers

• [04:36–05:03]
  • U.S. Southern Command (Gen. Francis L. Donovan):
    • Recent strike in the Eastern Pacific kills one narco-terrorist, two survivors.
    • To date: 58 strikes resulting in at least 194 killed.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Brooke Taylor on Ken Paxton's Momentum:
  • “Paxton entered with major momentum from the MAGA base, boosted by a late endorsement from President Trump...” (00:26)
• Brooke Taylor on Opponent James Talarico:
  • “Probably one of the most, if not the most woke candidate that Texas has ever seen.” (00:35)
• Tom Homan on ICE Health Care Standards:
  • “ICE is a fraction of any state prison or federal facility. A fraction. And we deal with people from third world nations who are in bad shape when we get them.” (01:41)
• Sen. Ted Cruz on Iran:
  • “If new Iranian leaders are receiving billions of dollars...having effective control over the Strait of Hormuz, then that outcome would be a disastrous mistake.” (03:35)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Texas Senate Runoff Results: 00:02–00:52
• Washington Paper Mill Disaster: 00:52–01:09
• Newark ICE Facility Protests: 01:09–01:48
• U.S.–Iran Tensions/Strait of Hormuz: 03:07–03:54
• Fertilizer Impact on Farmers: 03:54–04:36
• Drug Trafficking Strikes: 04:36–05:03

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This update delivers tightly packed headlines and critical developments across U.S. politics, international relations, domestic emergencies, and the agricultural economy, maintaining Fox News’ distinct tone and focus on national security and conservative political shifts.

Transcript

[A]

A defeat for an incumbent U.S. senator. Fox News. I'm Sue Guzman. Incumbent U.S. senator John Cornyn beat by the latest challenger backed by President Trump tonight, Attorney General Ken Paxton in a runoff election in Texas, besting him. And we have more from fox's Brooke Taylor.

[B]

The Associated Press called this race in favor of Paxton. The room went crazy with people and supporters excited and and Paxton entered with major momentum from the MAGA base, boosted by a late endorsement from President Trump, who called him a, quote, true MAGA warrior. He's now going to run up against Democratic candidate James Talarico. This is probably one of the most, if not the most woke candidate that Texas has ever seen. And he's even said that the southern border should have a massive welcome mat.

[A]

Senator Cornyn, who'd been seeking a sixth term, told fox's Sunday Night in America he votes with the president's agenda 99% of the time. At least one person is dead. Nine others remain unaccounted for after a large chemical tank imploded at a Washington state paper mill. Nine others were injured. Emergency responders are now still working on recovery efforts at Nippon Dynaware Packaging company in Longview while the protesters are continuing to gather at Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. Concerned about the condition inside, where detainees are staging a hunger strike over alleged poor conditions in medical care inside the facility. White House border czar Tom Homan telling foxes the Ingram angle, his agency spent a billion dollars on health care during President Trump's first term.

[C]

Deaths in custody. They're talking about people being mistreated. Deaths in custody. And ICE is a fraction of any state prison or federal facility. A fraction. And we deal with people from third world nations who are in bad shape when we get them.

[A]

New Jersey Governor Mikey Sherrill was denied access to the building. Democrat state Senator Andy Kim wants the facility shut down. America is listening to FOX News.

[D]

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[A]

President Trump set to hold a cabinet meeting this week as the US Unleashes defensive strikes in Iran. This as demands for the Strait of Hormuz be reopened are being met with yet more demands from the other side. We have more from Fox's Peter Doocy.

[E]

Iran says it'll do it if $24 billion in frozen funds are unfrozen, according to Iran state run media. That's a no go for Republicans like Ted Cruz complaining if new Iranian leaders are receiving billions of dollars being able to enrich uranium and develop nuclear weapons and having effective control over the Strait of Hormuz, then that outcome would be a disastrous mistake. Part of President Trump's preferred deal make Gulf partners join the Abraham Accords formally recognizing Israel as a way to say thanks to the US for dealing with Iran.

[A]

American farmers are hoping a deal between the US And Iran will lead to lower fertilizer prices. Fox's Business Grady Trimble Report Just like

[F]

oil, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has limited fertilizer supply, causing its price to skyrocket. Over the past month, the price of nitrogen based urea fertilizer has fallen some 27% from its peak, but it's still nearly 10% higher than a year ago. A survey last month by the American Farm Bureau Federation found the vast majority of farmers can't afford the fertilizer they need to get through this planning season. The Agriculture Department is taking steps to try to mitigate higher prices, like waiving the Jones act, loosening import restrictions and meeting with companies.

[A]

The federation says farm diesel prices have risen 46% since February. Centcom says the United States has launched another lethal kinetic strike on a suspected drug boat transiting the Eastern Pacific North. Commander of the U.S. southern Command, General Francis L. Donovan says one male narco terrorist was killed, two survived. U.S. has conducted at least 58 strikes on suspected drug vessels, killing at least 194 people. I'm Sue Guzman.

[G]

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[F]

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