12AM ET 07/21/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update Episode: 12AM ET 07/21/2025 Newscast
Release Date: July 21, 2025
Host/Author: FOX News Podcasts

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Introduction

In the latest episode of the Fox News Hourly Update, host Debra Valentine provides an in-depth overview of the day's most pressing news topics. From President Trump's six-month mark in his second term to ongoing international conflicts and domestic incidents, the newscast delivers a comprehensive analysis of current events shaping the nation and the world.

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President Trump's Six-Month Milestone

[00:03] Debra Valentine:
Debra Valentine opens the broadcast by highlighting President Trump's celebration of the six-month mark of his second term. She emphasizes the President’s optimism about the legislative achievements and the anticipation of a busy week ahead.

Lucas Tomlinson's Report:
Lucas Tomlinson delves deeper into the administration's successes, mentioning significant legislative victories and measures in the cryptocurrency sector. He notes, "Congress is clawing back billions in spending," attributing this fiscal responsibility to Senator Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania, a former West Point wrestler and team captain.

President Trump is reported to be actively engaging with his base, as seen on his social media presence. Tomlinson states, "President Trump is looking at the scoreboard and posting on Truth Social, 'My poll numbers with the Republican Party and MAGA have gone up significantly since the Jeffrey Epstein hoax was exposed by the radical left Democrats and just plain trouble bankers.'" This surge in support is attributed to Trump’s stance against the Democratic opposition.

The President is also focused on technological advancements, particularly artificial intelligence. Tomlinson mentions, "The president is gearing up to make a number of executive orders on artificial intelligence, something he is determined to keep pace with alongside China." Trump is scheduled to address this critical topic on Wednesday.

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Democratic Opposition and Controversies

[00:57] Debra Valentine:
The newscast shifts focus to the Democratic response, highlighting their criticism of President Trump's policies. Valentine notes that Democrats argue the recently passed "big beautiful bill" adversely affects lower-income Americans.

Tulsi Gabbard's Statements:
Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, has called for the Department of Justice to investigate former Obama administration officials. She alleges misconduct related to declassified documents concerning the Russia investigation. During an appearance on Fox's Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, Gabbard stated:

[01:21] Tulsi Gabbard:
"The effect of what President Obama and his senior national security team did was subvert the will of the American people, undermining our democratic republic and enacting what would be essentially a years-long coup against President Trump."

Debra Valentine:
In response, Democrats dismiss Gabbard's claims as baseless, referencing a 2020 GOP-led Senate report that counters her allegations. Valentine points out, "Russia tried to help President Trump through social media. America’s listening to Fox News."

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Ongoing International and Domestic Issues

Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks
[02:31] Debra Valentine:
Ukraine has agreed to a third round of peace talks with Russia amid escalating conflict. Fox's Stephanie Bennett reports that, despite previous discussions in Turkey, President Vladimir Putin remains steadfast in Moscow’s objectives.

[02:39] Stephanie Bennett:
"While Ukraine and Russia have already held two rounds of talks in Turkey in recent months, now the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin is ready to move toward a peace settlement, but Moscow's main objective is to achieve its goals."

The situation remains tense as Russia's defense ministry reports the downing of 142 Ukrainian drones overnight, including attacks over Moscow's capital. The summer offensive by Russia shows no signs of abating, with over 300 drones and 30 missiles launched across ten regions.

President Trump's Stance:
President Trump has set a stringent deadline for Russia to achieve peace with Ukraine. As Valentine reports, "President Trump gave Russia a 50-day deadline to reach peace with Ukraine or face 100% tariffs."

Domestic Crime Incident
[03:14] Debra Valentine:
An off-duty Border Patrol agent was shot during a robbery attempt in New York City. Preliminary reports indicate that two migrants were involved in the incident.

[03:28] Stephanie Bennett:
"Right now this appears to be an attempted robbery. DHS tells Fox 1 of the suspects now in custody is a previously deported illegal migrant caught and released at the border under the Biden administration." The suspect, Miguel Francisco Mora Muniz, a Dominican national, had been released in March 2023 despite having an active criminal warrant in Massachusetts for kidnapping and prior felony charges. The injured agent survived and is expected to recover.

Missing Child Case
[04:10] Debra Valentine:
Tragic news emerges as a nine-year-old Canadian girl, previously the subject of an Amber Alert, has been found deceased in Upstate New York. In Ticonderoga, investigators are scrutinizing the father’s account of a kidnapper in a white van, which currently contains several inconsistencies and gaps in the narrative.

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Conclusion

The Fox News Hourly Update for July 21, 2025, provides a thorough examination of significant political developments, international conflicts, and critical domestic incidents. From President Trump's legislative achievements and confrontations with Democratic opposition to Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations and pressing public safety concerns, the newscast ensures listeners are well-informed on the issues shaping today's landscape.

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Notable Quotes:

• Lucas Tomlinson [00:15]:
  "President Trump is looking at the scoreboard and posting on Truth Social, 'My poll numbers with the Republican Party and MAGA have gone up significantly since the Jeffrey Epstein hoax was exposed by the radical left Democrats and just plain trouble bankers.'"

• Tulsi Gabbard [01:21]:
  "The effect of what President Obama and his senior national security team did was subvert the will of the American people, undermining our democratic republic and enacting what would be essentially a years-long coup against President Trump."

• Stephanie Bennett [02:39]:
  "While Ukraine and Russia have already held two rounds of talks in Turkey in recent months, now the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin is ready to move toward a peace settlement, but Moscow's main objective is to achieve its goals."

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented in the Fox News Hourly Update, offering a clear and concise overview for those who have not tuned into the episode.

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

At the six month mark. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. President Trump celebrating the first six months of his second term in office and he's looking forward to a busy week ahead. Fox's Lucas Tomlinson tells us more from the White House.

[Lucas Tomlinson]

Celebrating a lot of legislative wins and in crypto as well as Congress clawing back billions in spending, something that a former West Point wrestler, captain of the wrestling team, Senator Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania says needed to happen. And President Trump looking at the scoreboard and posting on true social My poll numbers with the Republican Party and MAGA have gone up significantly since the Jeffrey Epstein hoax was exposed by the radical left Democrats and just plain trouble bankers. President Trump at his golf club today, probably making the turn as we speak and gearing up for this week making a number of executive orders on artificial intelligence, something the president was to keep pace with with China. And the president is supposed to speak on the subject on Wednesday.

[Debra Valentine]

Democrats have railed though against many of the President's policies, including recently passed big beautiful bill saying it hurts lower income Americans. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard wants the DOJ to look into whether Obama administration officials should be prosecuted in connection with declassified documents related to the Russia hoax. Gabbard on Fox's Sunday morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo spoke about the documents.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

The effect of what President Obama and his senior national security team did was subvert the will of the American people, undermining our democratic republic and enacting what would be essentially a years long coup against President Trump.

[Debra Valentine]

Democrats so call Gabbard's claims against Obama administration officials baseless. They point to a 2020 GOP led Senate report that found to the contrary. Russia tried to help President Trump through social media. America's listening to Fox News.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

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[Lucas Tomlinson]

News.

[Debra Valentine]

Ukraine has agreed to a third round of peace talks with Russia as fighting continues. Fox's Stephanie Bennett with the latest.

[Stephanie Bennett]

While Ukraine and Russia have already held two rounds of talks in Turkey in recent months, now the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. President Vladimir Putin is ready to move toward a peace settlement, but Moscow's main objective is to achieve its goals. It comes as Russia's defense ministry says they downed 142 Ukrainian drones overnight. 27 were over the capital, one hitting a high rise apartment block in Moscow. Russia's summer offensive continues to ramp up Friday night into Saturday. Russia launched more than 300 drones and 30 missiles across 10 regions.

[Debra Valentine]

President Trump gave Russia a 50 day deadline to reach peace with Ukraine or face 100% tariffs. An off duty Border Patrol agent shot by two migrants during a robbery in New York City, police sources tell Fox.

[Stephanie Bennett]

Right now this appears to be an attempted robbery. DHS tells Fox 1 of the suspects now in custody is a previously deported illegal migrant caught and released at the border under the Biden administration. DHS tells Fox that Miguel Francisco Mora Muniz is a Dominican national caught by Border Patrol at the Arizona border in March 2023 and released into the U.S. the agency says he has an active criminal warrant in Massachusetts for kidnapping and prior felony arrest. Officers responded to the scene at Fort Washington park and they found the off duty Border Patrol agent shot in the face and arm. He was taken to the hospital and thankfully is expected to recover.

[Debra Valentine]

Fox's CB Cotton reporting A missing nine year old Canadian girl, the subject of an Amber Alert, has been found dead in upstate New York. In Ticonderoga, police say the father's version of events, a story of a kidnapper in a white van is full of holes and the investigation continues.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

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