12PM ET 07/16/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 12PM ET | July 16, 2025

On this episode of the Fox News Hourly Update, host Lisa Brady delivers a comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing national and international news. The update covers significant geopolitical tensions, political maneuvers in the U.S. government, and noteworthy domestic incidents. Below is a detailed summary of the key segments discussed during the broadcast.

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1. Escalating Tensions in Southern Syria and Israeli Interventions

[00:02] Lisa Brady opens the segment by addressing the heightened concerns in the United States regarding the emergence of violence in southern Syria. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed worries following the collapse of a truce between Syria's new government and a minority religious community. The situation has escalated with Israel conducting airstrikes on Damascus, Syria's capital.

[00:20] Trey Yinx, reporting from Tel Aviv, provides further insights:

"The key here is that the Israelis want the Syrian government to ensure that the situation de-escalates and that the Druze population is protected at this point. Based on the videos that have circulated online over the past 48 hours, the Druze population is not being protected and that is the reason that you saw these Israeli strikes earlier today." [00:20]

Yinx emphasizes that the primary objective of the Israeli intervention is to prevent further deterioration and safeguard the Druze community. However, recent footage suggests that these efforts may not be fully effective, prompting the Israeli military response.

2. Diplomatic Engagements and Domestic Political Tensions

[00:39] Lisa Brady transitions to the upcoming diplomatic engagements involving President Trump. The president is scheduled to meet with key Middle Eastern allies, including the Prime Minister of Bahrain at the White House, followed by a meeting with the Prime Minister of Qatar. These meetings are part of ongoing efforts to stabilize the region amidst the current turmoil.

Later in the segment, Brady touches upon President Trump's critical stance on the Jeffrey Epstein investigation:

"Earlier, the president had harsh words for skeptics of the attorney general's recent announcement about the Jeffrey Epstein investigation." [00:39]

[01:05] Jared Halpern elaborates on President Trump's position:

"The president says Democrats are behind a new scam, warning only his past supporters are buying into the Jeffrey Epstein hoax, hook, line and sinker. President Trump has faced days of questions from influential conservative figures over a Justice Department memo closing the case and concluding the disgraced financier accused of sex trafficking committed suicide." [01:05]

Halpern reports that President Trump is combating accusations of undermining the investigation by labeling it a partisan "hoax." The president assertively stated on social media:

"Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work because I don't want their support anymore." [01:21]

This fiery rhetoric underscores the ongoing political contention surrounding the Epstein case and its implications for Trump's administration.

3. Congressional Probe into President Biden’s Fitness for Office

In a critical development, Lisa Brady reports on the House Oversight Committee's intensified investigation into President Joe Biden's health during his tenure:

"A top aide to former first lady Jill Biden appears for a closed-door deposition with members of Congress probing the former president's health in office." [02:15]

James Comer, the committee's chairman, questions Anthony Bernal, Jill Biden's chief of staff:

"Did any unelected officials or family members execute the duties of the presidency?" [02:23]

Byron Donalds urges decisiveness regarding the president's capability:

"Was Joe Biden fit to exercise the duties of the president?" [02:34]

Both the former president's doctor and aides have chosen to plead the fifth, evading direct answers. Comer stated:

"They will continue calling former administration officials in and eventually family members in for interviews." [02:55]

This probe reflects ongoing concerns and political pressures questioning the legitimacy and functionality of President Biden's administration.

4. Political Shifts in Israeli Government

[03:04] Jessica Rosenthal updates viewers on significant changes within the Israeli political landscape:

"Minister has just lost a second ultra orthodox party in his coalition government. That leaves him with a minority in Parliament, the defection stemming from disagreements over military draft exemptions." [03:04]

This political realignment signals potential instability within the coalition government, primarily due to internal conflicts over policies related to military service exemptions, which are crucial issues affecting the country's socio-political fabric.

5. Controversy Surrounding PGA Golfer Windham Clark

Shifting to domestic sports news, Jared Max narrates the disciplinary actions faced by PGA golfer Windham Clark:

"A popular country club has now banned American golfer Windham Clark from playing golf until he completes anger management training and pays for damages that he caused to a 100-year-old locker at Oakmont Country Club outside of Pittsburgh after his frustrations over missing the cut by one stroke at the US Open this year surfaced in a locker beating." [03:17]

Clark is also required to make a meaningful contribution to a charity selected by the Oakmont Country Club board. This incident highlights the repercussions of personal conduct affecting professional careers in high-profile sports.

6. Federal Reserve Leadership and Market Reactions

In the final news segment, Lisa Brady discusses President Trump's position regarding reports of potential changes in the Federal Reserve's leadership:

"President Trump is telling reporters he's not planning a change after reports he might fire the Fed chief. Right now, the Dow is up two points." [04:02]

Trump's stance reflects a commitment to maintaining stability within the Federal Reserve despite circulating rumors, while the immediate market reaction remains positive with a slight uptick in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

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Conclusion

The Fox News Hourly Update provides a multifaceted view of the current geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the dynamics within the U.S. political sphere, and notable incidents affecting public figures. From the fragile ceasefire in Syria and Israeli military actions to the probing of presidential fitness in Congress, the episode encapsulates critical developments shaping both national and international landscapes.

Stay informed with Fox News Radio, your source for the latest updates, delivered hourly.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

The US Is very worried on Lisa Brady, FOX News. That from Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the violence in southern Syria after a truce between Syria's new government and a minority religious community broke down. Israel intervening with airstrikes on Syria's capital, Damascus. Foxes Trey Yinxed in Tel Aviv.

[Trey Yinx]

The key here is that the Israelis want the Syrian government to ensure that the situation de escalates and that the Druze population is protected at this point. Based on the videos that have circulated online over the past 48 hours, the Druze population is not being protected and that is the reason that you saw these Israeli strikes earlier today.

[Lisa Brady]

Now Syrian and Druze officials are announcing a new ceasefire. However, one Druze leader is reportedly rejecting that deal, pushing for full liberation. President Trump meets today with key Mideast allies just welcoming the prime minister of Bahrain to the White House. Later, he'll meet with Qatar's prime minister. Earlier, the president had harsh words for skeptics of the attorney general's recent announcement about the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

[Jared Halpern]

The president says Democrats are behind a new scam, warning only his past supporters are buying into the Jeffrey Epstein hoax, hook, line and sinker. President Trump has faced days of questions from influential conservative figures over a Justice Department memo closing the case and concluding the disgraced financier accused of sex trafficking committed suicide. Posting untruth social the president writes let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work because I don't want their support anymore.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jared Halpern at the White House. The president has said he's for transparency, but that evidence must be credible. U.S. capitol Police just confirming they detained a man with guns and a bow and arrow in his vehicle along Pennsylvania Avenue today. Charges are pending. Officers say they investigated after seeing an unusual vehicle with a tricycle strapped to the roof. America is listening to Fox News.

[Unknown]

From.

[Kennedy]

The FOX News Podcasts Network.

Hey there, it's me, Kennedy. Make sure to check out my podcast, kennedy Saves the world. It is five days a week, every week. Download and listen at foxnewspodcast.com or wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.

[Lisa Brady]

A top aide to former first lady Jill Biden appears for a closed door deposition with members of Congress probing the former president's health in office.

[James Comer]

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said they asked former first lady Jill Biden's chief of staff, Anthony Bernal. Did any unelected officials or family members execute the duties of the presidency?

[Byron Donalds]

Was Joe Biden fit to exercise the duties of the president? He pled the fifth.

[James Comer]

The former president's doctor had also pled the fifth. Throughout his interview, Florida Congressman Byron Donalds accused officials of hiding if he did.

[Unknown]

Not have the ability to discharge his duties, then anything that he signed or the auto pen signed or whatever, as far as I'm concerned, is null and void.

[James Comer]

Comer said they will continue calling former administration officials in and eventually family members in for interviews. Jessica Rosenthal, Fox News the Israeli prime.

[Lisa Brady]

Minister has just lost a second ultra orthodox party in his coalition government. That leaves him with a minority in Parliament, the defection stemming from disagreements over military draft exemptions. A PGA golfer is now banned from.

[Jared Max]

A popular country club as American golfer Windham Clark prepares to tee off Thursday in the opening ground of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. He will do so knowing that in one course in his native country he's not allowed to play golf anymore. Not until he completes anger management training and pays for damages that he caused to a 100-year-old locker at Oakmont Country Club outside of Pittsburgh after his frustrations over missing the cut by one stroke at the US Open this year surfaced in a locker beating. Clark will also need to make a meaningful contribution to a charity of choice of the Oakmont Country Club board. For now, Clark Bard at Oakmont at the PGA Championship this year, Clark heaved his driver near a tee box and hit a sign, damaging it. Jared Max, Fox News President Trump just.

[Lisa Brady]

Telling reporters he's not planning a change after reports he might fire the Fed chief. Right now, the Dow is up two points. On Lisa Brady, Fox News, it's Will.

[Kennedy]

Kane country Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through Thursday@fox news.com or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show. Listen and follow the podcast five days a week at Fox News podcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.