12AM ET 08/01/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 12AM ET 08/01/2026 Newscast

Date: August 1, 2026
Host: Debra Valentine (with reporting from Gillian Turner, Steve Harrigan, Tom Graham)
Podcast: FOX News Hourly Update

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Episode Overview

This late-night newscast provides updates on major global and domestic events, focusing on the US military escalation in Iran, developments regarding Hamas and Israel, US immigration policy debates, the latest controversy involving former Congressman George Santos, and a significant reversal in FIFA World Cup leadership decisions.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US Strikes on Iran & Middle East Tensions

• Trump Orders New Attack:
  President Trump commands a new military strike in Iran with the aim of pressuring the regime into surrender.

  • Debra Valentine sets the scene for heightened tensions in the region. [00:03]

  • War Secretary voices support for Operation Epic Fury, initiated in February, and responds to criticism regarding the conflict’s duration. He claims the operation “took guts.” [00:26]

    “The world saw what the American military was capable to do, but that doesn't happen unless the commander in chief says you're authorized to do it.”
    — War Secretary & Tom Graham [00:26–00:31]

• Iran’s Military Status:
  Despite heavy American strikes, the US acknowledges Iran retains some military capability (“far fewer than they had four or five months ago”). [00:33–00:47]

• US Concerns Over Drones:
  The State Department’s Rewards for Justice program offers $15 million for intelligence on Iran's drone program, signaling concern beyond missile threats. [00:47]

2. Escalation in the Strait of Hormuz & Israeli-Palestinian Dynamics

• Tanker Strikes:
  Iran claims it successfully targeted two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz; the US has not verified these reports. [00:58]

• Hamas Arms Negotiations:
  President Trump announces for the first time that Hamas has agreed to disarm if Israel meets certain conditions—a development described as unprecedented and only possible due to US success against Iran.

  • Steve Harrigan reports from Tel Aviv, emphasizing the diplomatic breakthrough and its linkage to US actions against Iran. [01:16–01:38]

    “It's a great breakthrough. Nobody's ever thought that would...Nobody thought that would be possible to disarm Hamas. That shows you how much success we're having with Iran here in the region.”
    — Unnamed Official [01:27]

• Continuing Drone Attacks in Region:
  Cycle of retaliatory attacks persists; recent drone attacks on US bases in Kuwait reported with no casualties. [01:38]

• China Denies Military Aid to Iran:
  Beijing formally denies any direct military assistance to Tehran. [01:48]

3. US Immigration and TPS Pathway Debate

• Blocked Legislation for Migrants:
  A proposal by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) to grant a citizenship path to recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is blocked by Senator Eric Schmidt (R-MO).

  • Schmidt brands the proposal “mass amnesty,” arguing it “rewards those who break our laws.” [03:02]
  • Schmidt warns that Democrats would push for open borders if they regain power:

    "You just have to look and see what happened under Biden. Four years, 15 to 20 million people came here illegally and they're not even trying to hide it anymore."
    — Sen. Eric Schmidt [03:30]

• Democratic Arguments:
  Van Hollen insists the US shouldn’t force migrants to return to countries deemed dangerous by the State Department.

  • A bill for Haitian migrants previously passed the House, noting bipartisan support (with 10 Republicans joining Democrats). [03:36]

4. George Santos Settlement and Continuing Legal Troubles

• Federal Investigation Settlement:
  Former Congressman George Santos agrees to pay $35,000 after profiting from bets made about his attendance at President Trump’s State of the Union, wagered on prediction site Kalshi.
  • Kalshee (Kalshi) reported him to authorities; Santos’ career marked by repeated scandals including earlier expulsion from Congress and existing fraud and identity theft charges.
    — Tom Graham [03:56–04:32]

5. FIFA Abandons World Cup Privatization Plan

• Infantino Backs Down:
  Facing broad resistance, FIFA President Gianni Infantino abandons a plan to sell the World Cup’s profits to private equity (potential $20 billion deal, reportedly involving the Kushner family).
  • Widespread pushback included key adviser resignations and objections from Asian and European soccer bodies.
    — Debra Valentine [04:32]

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On US Authorization for Strike:
  “The world saw what the American military was capable to do, but that doesn't happen unless the commander in chief says you're authorized to do it.”
  — War Secretary & Tom Graham [00:26–00:31]

• On Middle East Peace Prospects:
  “It's a great breakthrough. Nobody ever thought that would be possible to disarm Hamas.”
  — Unnamed Official [01:27]

• On Immigration Policy:
  “You just have to look and see what happened under Biden. Four years, 15 to 20 million people came here illegally and they're not even trying to hide it anymore.”
  — Sen. Eric Schmidt [03:30]

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:03: US strikes on Iran and Operation Epic Fury context
• 00:47: $15M reward for Iran drone program intelligence
• 00:58: Iranian claim of hitting oil tankers
• 01:16: Hamas arms negotiation breakthrough
• 01:38: Drone attacks on US bases in Kuwait
• 01:48: China denies aiding Iran
• 03:02: TPS citizenship path bill blocked
• 03:56: George Santos settles Kalshi betting probe
• 04:32: FIFA drops World Cup privatization plan

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This summary provides a concise yet detailed account of each primary story from the 12AM Fox News update, highlighting the tense global situation, major political debates, and noteworthy quotes from officials while omitting adverts and non-content sections.

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

More strikes. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. President Trump has reportedly ordered a fresh attack on Iran in an effort to force a militant regime to surrender. Fox's Gillian Turner has more from the White House.

[War Secretary]

The president went on defense against criticism that the conflict has no end in sight. Backing his boss, the war secretary says launching Operation Epic Fury back in February, quote, took guts.

[Tom Graham]

The world saw what the American military was capable to do, but that doesn't

[War Secretary]

happen unless the commander in chief says

[Tom Graham]

you're authorized to do it.

[War Secretary]

Despite repeated claims that Iran's military arsenal has been decimated, the commander in chief acknowledged today that the regime does have some capability left.

[Unnamed Official]

They have some, but they have far fewer than they had four or five months ago.

[War Secretary]

Missiles aren't the only threat the US Is worried about. The State Department Rewards for Justice program posted a new offer, $15 million for information about Iran's military drone program.

[Debra Valentine]

Iran reporting they've successfully hit two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, but US have yet to confirm if that's in fact true. President Trump reporting Hamas for the first time agreeing to give up their arms if Israel meets certain conditions. Fox's Steve Harrigan has the latest from Tel Aviv, Israel.

[Steve Harrigan]

President Trump touting this really as a major achievement. He also said it's one that simply would have been impossible to get done without the success the US had already in the war against Iran.

[Unnamed Official]

It's a great breakthrough. Nobody's ever thought that would. Nobody thought that would be possible to disarm Hamas. That shows you how much success we're having with Iran here in the region.

[Steve Harrigan]

We've gotten back into that rhythm of attacks, one side striking the other the next night, the other side striking. Multiple drone attacks targeting US Bases in Kuwait. No casualties reported.

[Debra Valentine]

Beijing officially denies providing direct military assistance to Tehran. America's listening to FOX News.

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[Tom Graham]

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[Debra Valentine]

a move by Democrats to expand protections for migrants has been blocked. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen proposed a measure that would grant recipients of temporary protected status, or tps of path to citizenship. The bill was blocked by Missouri Republican Senator Eric Schmidt. He argued it was mass amnesty and, quote, rewards those who break our laws. Senator Schmidt told guest host Charlie Hurd on fox's the Ingraham Angle that if Democrats regain power in Washington, they'll support open borders.

[Prevagen Advertiser]

You just have to look and see what happened under Biden. Four years, 15 to 20 million people came here illegally and they're not even trying to hide it anymore.

[Debra Valentine]

Senator Van Hollen argued that the US shouldn't force migrants to return to countries that the State Department says are dangerous. A bill to extend temporary status for about 350,000 Haitian migrants previously cleared the House, with 10 Republicans joining Democrats. A disgraced former congressman has agreed to pay up following his latest controversy.

[Tom Graham]

Ex lawmaker George Santos of New York will pay 35,000 doll dollars as part of a deal to end a federal investigation after he made big bucks on the prediction marketplace site Kalshi. The Republican made a bet against his own plans to attend President Trump's State of the Union address earlier this year. He obviously won. Kalshee reported Santos to regulators. The former lawmaker is no stranger to controversy. Santos was expelled from Congress after he revealed he made up several aspects of his life story. He's also charged with wire fraud and identity theft. Tom Graham, FOX News.

[Debra Valentine]

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is abandoning his divisive plan to sell World cup profits to private equity. The decision by Infantino. He had proposed creating a $20 billion company to run the World cup with private investors, including the Kushner family. His decision follows intense pushback. His senior adviser resigned and Asia's soccer body joined Europe in opposing it. I'm Debra Valentine. This is Fox.