12PM ET 07/20/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 12PM ET, July 20, 2025

Hosted by Jack Callahan | Released on July 20, 2025

---

1. President Trump's Second Term and the Epstein Controversy

Jack Callahan opens the newscast by addressing ongoing criticisms of President Trump’s administration, particularly regarding the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Lucas Tomlinson, reporting from the White House, states:

“I have asked the Justice Department to release all grand jury testimony with respect to Jeffrey Epstein, subject only to court approval. With that being said, and even if the court gave its full and unwavering approval, nothing will be good enough for the troublemakers and radical left lunatics making the request. It will always be more, more, more.”
[00:09]

Despite achieving another political victory, President Trump faces persistent detractors. Epstein was indicted on sex trafficking charges in July 2019 and died by suicide a month later while awaiting trial. Callahan underscores the sustained scrutiny Trump faces even months into his second term.

---

2. Ceasefire in Southern Syria Amid Militia Feuds

Dre Yingst, reporting from Tel Aviv, provides an update on the fragile ceasefire in southern Syria aimed at quelling ongoing conflicts between rival militias.

A ceasefire has been declared in Sweda Province as Bedouin tribes withdraw from the area. However, new footage indicates continued street clashes on the city's outskirts over the weekend. US Special Envoy Tom Barak has appealed to all factions to disarm, yet violence persists.

Syrian President Ahmed El Shara emphasizes the state's commitment to protecting minorities:

“The Syrian state is committed to protecting all minorities and sect in the country and is proceeding to hold all violators accountable from any party.”
[01:28]

Last week, hundreds of Israeli Druze entered southern Syria to support their fight against the dominant Bedouin tribes. The Israeli military subsequently called for their withdrawal and secured the border to prevent further escalation.

Jack Callahan adds:

“UN estimates more than 87,000 people have been displaced since earlier this month.”
[01:45]

---

3. Accusations of Political Conspiracy: Tulsi Gabbard’s Claims

Transitioning to domestic affairs, Tulsi Gabbard alleges a coordinated effort by the Obama administration to undermine Donald Trump's initial presidential campaign. She claims to have declassified documents that suggest the Russia collusion investigation was orchestrated with foreknowledge.

Callahan reports:

“Tulsi Gabbard is calling what she says was a coordinated effort by the Obama administration to scuttle Donald Trump's first presidential campaign. She's declassified documents that says she proves the Russia collusion investigation was a hoax and the Obama administration knew it.”
[02:26]

Gabbard points to a December 9, 2016, meeting involving former DNI James Clapper, John Brennan, and former National Security Adviser Susan Rice. Post-meeting, Clapper’s executive assistant allegedly directed intelligence leaders to craft a new assessment on Russia’s capacity to influence the 2016 election.

James Clapper responds:

“Scabbard says declassified documents show in the days leading up to the November 26 election intelligence officials consistently stated Russia is probably not trying nor have the capability to influence the election by using cyber means. Their tune, she says, changed after the election.”
[03:26]

Gabbard intends to forward these documents to the Justice Department for potential prosecution. Democrats have dismissed her allegations as unfounded, referencing a 2020 Senate report that acknowledged Russia's attempts to influence Trump's campaign through social media but found no evidence of vote tampering or machine interference.

---

4. Tragic Boat Capsizing in Vietnam

A sudden thunderstorm led to the capsizing of a tour boat on a Vietnamese bay, resulting in the deaths of 37 individuals as reported by state media. Five remain missing. Vietnamese rescuers carried out courageous efforts, saving 11 people, including a 14-year-old boy who survived for four hours in an air pocket within the overturned hull.

---

5. Passing of Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid al Saud

Jack Callahan reports the death of Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid al Saud, a Saudi prince who had been in a coma for over two decades following a car accident in London in 2005. Prince Alwaleed passed away at the age of 36, having endured severe brain and internal injuries since the accident at age 15.

---

Stay Informed with Fox News

For more updates, listen to the Fox News podcast available five days a week at FoxNewPodcasts.com or follow them on your preferred podcast platform.

---

This summary captures the key discussions and insights from the Fox News Hourly Update episode aired on July 20, 2025, providing a comprehensive overview for those who did not listen to the original broadcast.

Transcript

[Jack Callahan]

Months into President Trump's second term on Jack Callihan Fox News. But critics continue pointing to one issue. Fox's Lucas Tomlinson reports from the White House.

[Lucas Tomlinson]

Despite notching yet another win, the president is still battling criticism over his administration's handling of the Epstein case, saying on Truth Social I have asked the Justice Department to release all grand jury testimony with respect to Jeffrey Epstein, subject only to court approval. With that being said, and even if the court gave its full and unwavering approval, nothing will be good enough for the troublemakers and radical left lunatics making the request. It will always be more, more, more MAGA critics think the White House is not doing enough to release information.

[Jack Callahan]

Jeffrey Epstein was indicted on a sex trafficking charge in July of 2019 before taking his own life via suicide a month later in his jail cell while awaiting trial on those charges. The US Brokering a cease fire deal amid ongoing feuds between militias in Syria. Fox's Dre Yingst reports from Tel Aviv.

[Dre Yingst]

A ceasefire was announced in southern Syria to end the fighting in Sweda Province. Bedouin tribes said they had withdrawn from this area as part of the agreement, but new video shows street clashes on the outskirts of the city over the weekend. In the hours after US Special envoy Tom Barak called on all parties to lay down their weapons, Syrian President Ahmed El Shara spoke about the violence erupting in the the majority Druze area.

[Ahmed El Shara]

The Syrian state is committed to protecting all minorities and sect in the country and is proceeding to hold all violators accountable from any party.

[Dre Yingst]

Last week hundreds of Israeli Druze crossed into southern Syria to help with the fight against majority Bedouin tribes. The Israeli army called for them to return and later secured the border.

[Jack Callahan]

UN estimates more than 87,000 people have been displaced since earlier this month. America is listening to Fox News.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

A.

[Ahmed El Shara]

TR this episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Well with the name your price tool from Progressive you can find options that fit your budget and potentially lower your bills. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates Price and coverage match limited by state law not available in all states.

[Jack Callahan]

Business conspiracy that's a Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is calling what she says was a coordinated effort by the Obama administration to scuttle Donald Trump's first presidential campaign. She's declassified documents that says she proves the Russia collusion investigation was a hoax and the Obama administration knew it.

[James Clapper]

Scabbard says declassified documents show in the days leading up to the November 26 election intelligence officials consistently stated Russia is probably not trying nor have the capability to influence the election by using cyber means. Their tune, she says, changed after the election. And she specifically brings up a December 9, 2016 meeting among Obama intelligence officials, including former DNI James Clapper, John Brennan and former national Security Adviser Susan Rice. After that meeting, Clapper's executive assistant sent an email to intelligence leaders tasking them to create a new assessment, per Obama's request, about the tools Moscow used to influence the 2016 election.

[Jack Callahan]

Director Gabbard says she's sending those documents to the Justice Department for possible prosecution. Democrats call her claims baseless. They point to a 2020 Senate report that found Russia trying to help Mr. Trump through social media, but found no evidence that votes were changed or voting machines had been tampered with. A tour boat capsized during a sudden thunderstorm on a bay in Vietnam yesterday. 37 people died, according to state media, five others still missing. The victims, all Vietnamese rescuers, saved 11 people, including a 14 year old boy who was found alive four hours after the capsizing in an air pocket in the overturned hull of the ship. A Saudi prince who spent more than 20 years in a coma after a 2005 car crash in London has died. Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid al Saud was 36. He'd suffered brain and internal injuries at the age of 15 and never fully regained consciousness. I'm Jack Callahan. This is Fox News.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

It's Will Kane Country Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through@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 newspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.