Fox News Hourly Update: 12PM ET 04/04/2026 – Episode Summary

Overview

In this midday Fox News newscast, the focus centers on the ongoing crisis following the shootdown of a U.S. F-15 over Iran, evolving U.S.–Iran relations, the progress of NASA’s Artemis 2 lunar mission, the unveiling of the Trump administration’s record defense budget proposal, and updates on the Department of Homeland Security shutdown. The episode delivers timely updates with direct commentary from White House officials, on-the-ground reporting, and a concise snapshot of U.S. government priorities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ongoing Search for Downed F-15 Crew in Iran & Escalating Tensions

• Status of the Rescue Mission

  • The U.S. continues searching for Jack Callahan, the weapons systems officer from the F-15 shot down over Iran on Thursday night.
  • Iran is also actively searching, seeking “the propaganda victory of finding that person and parading him on TV.”
    — Jonathan Hunt reporting from Tel Aviv [00:14]

• Rescue Mission Challenges

  • Iranian media quickly publicized images of the F-15 wreckage, the ejector seat, and the parachute remnants.
  • The search area is described as “remote” and “very challenging for any rescue operation.”
  • U.S. forces responded rapidly, deploying rescue assets to the area.

• Rescue Operation Developments

  • Two U.S. helicopters involved were fired upon by Iranians; some crew were injured, but both aircraft landed safely.
  • An A-10 Warthog also crashed near the Strait of Hormuz—the pilot was successfully rescued.
    — Host [00:58]

2. White House Response: Presidential Messaging & Iran Policy

• President Trump’s Immediate Reaction

  • On Truth Social, President Trump posted:

    “Keep the oil anyone?”
    — White House correspondent quoting Trump [01:15]

  • He followed with:

    “Our military, the greatest and most powerful by far anywhere in the world, hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then electric power plants. New regime leadership knows what has to be done and has to be done fast.”
    — President Trump on Truth Social, quoted by Peter Doocy [01:15]

• Policy Continuation

  • The president, in a separate NBC interview, emphasized,

    “No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in war.”
    — President Trump [01:35]

  • This affirms that the administration’s “epic fury” policy is undeterred by U.S. losses.

3. Artemis 2 Lunar Mission Progress

• Mission Update

  • The Artemis 2 crew, headed to the moon’s far side, dealt with a minor cabin pressure warning prior to a key rocket burn (“translunar injection”).
  • Engineers determined it was a false alarm, and the mission proceeded as planned.
    — Jonathan Serrie reporting from Houston [02:11]

• Astronaut Experience

  • Astronauts are sending back “dramatic pictures of the Earth” and are expected to capture images of the moon’s far side previously seen only by satellites.
  • Unique perspective:

    “Already they’re seeing the moon from a different angle than the rest of humanity.”
    — Jonathan Serrie [02:32]

• Health Measures

  • Mandatory daily exercise for astronauts helps reduce muscle and bone loss in microgravity.

4. Trump Administration’s Record Military Budget Proposal

• Historic Defense Spending Request

  • The White House is seeking a $1.5 trillion defense budget—a new record for the Pentagon.
  • Proposed increases offset by cuts to “health, housing and education agencies,” with the administration targeting “woke, wasteful and weaponized programs.”
    — Jared Halperin, The White House [03:07]

• Budget Office Projections

  • Projected higher revenues expected, though the budget is described as “more symbolic than anything else,” underscoring its function as a priority signal to Congress.
    — Jared Halperin [03:30]

5. DHS Shutdown & Worker Pay Directive

• Presidential Order Amid Shutdown
  • President Trump orders the Department of Homeland Security to pay all employees despite a record-long shutdown, lasting nearly 50 days.
  • The president continues to blame Democrats for the ongoing partial government closure.
    — Host Jack Kelly [03:42]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On F-15 rescue stakes:

  “It is literally a race between US Search teams and the Iranian military. … Iran wants the propaganda victory of finding that person and parading him on on TV.”
  — Jonathan Hunt, [00:14]

• President Trump’s unvarnished reaction:

  “Keep the oil anyone?”
  — President Trump via Peter Doocy [01:15]
  “Our military, the greatest and most powerful … hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then electric power plants.”
  — President Trump via Peter Doocy [01:20]
  “No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in war.”
  — President Trump to NBC, via Peter Doocy [01:35]

• On Artemis 2’s new vistas:

  “Already they’re seeing the moon from a different angle than the rest of humanity.”
  — Jonathan Serrie [02:32]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• F-15 Downed & Search Operations: [00:02]–[00:58]
• White House & President Trump’s Iran Policy: [01:15]–[01:54]
• Artemis 2 Moon Mission Update: [01:54]–[02:52]
• Military Budget Proposal: [03:07]–[03:42]
• DHS Shutdown & Worker Pay: [03:42]–[End]

This episode delivers a snapshot of ongoing global conflicts, the latest in U.S. space exploration, fiscal priorities from the White House, and a major domestic crisis—all with the direct, urgent tone characteristic of Fox News’ hourly newscast.