12PM ET 07/23/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 12PM ET, July 23, 2026

Main Theme

This episode delivers a fast-paced news roundup focusing on pivotal developments in international relations (notably US-Iran negotiations and a proposed US-Saudi nuclear deal), ongoing wrangling in Congress over military and government funding, a Pentagon controversy, tech industry penalties, and new changes coming to airport security.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. US-Iran Relations and the Prospects for a Deal

• Summary: The US remains skeptical about Iran’s intentions, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisting Iran is eager for a new deal but has a track record of not honoring past agreements. Ongoing US strikes and the complicated nuclear diplomacy with Saudi Arabia are also addressed.
• Notable Quotes & Segments:
  • [00:12] Marco Rubio: "Iran is begging us, okay, both directly and indirectly. Let's do a deal. Let's talk. Let's talk. Iran is begging every day. The problem with Iran is every time they make a deal, the people that are in charge there, they either break it or they want to change it."
  • Host Lisa Brady summarizes Rubio’s stance and connects it to ongoing US military strikes and a cautious approach to negotiations. [00:23]

2. US-Saudi Nuclear Deal and Impact on American Interests

• Summary: The White House is reportedly negotiating with Saudi Arabia on a nuclear energy agreement restricted to civilian uses. The deal includes incentives for US companies and stipulations that Saudi Arabia join the Abraham Accords.
• Notable Quotes & Segments:
  • [00:38] Caroline Levitt (White House Spokeswoman): "This agreement... does give priority access for American companies and the Saudi nuclear energy program, which will ultimately benefit American industry, workers and supply chains. So the deal that has been discussed thus far and will continue to be discussed absolutely puts America first and that's obviously very important to this president."
  • Lisa Brady notes that the deal’s success hinges on Saudi-Israeli normalization, with Saudi leadership insisting on progress toward Palestinian statehood. Iran’s stated commitment to a civilian nuclear program is mentioned, highlighting deep skepticism. [00:56]

3. Congressional Moves on Military Powers and Government Shutdowns

• Summary: The House passes a war powers resolution (again), reflecting bipartisan dissent, aimed at requiring Congress to sign off on additional military moves toward Iran. Meanwhile, budget battles threaten another government shutdown, spurred by disputes over ICE funding.
• Notable Quotes & Segments:
  • [01:34] Caroline Levitt: "The most important thing for the American people... is that this president in this White House wants the government to remain open, unlike the Democrats in this town who have been acting as obstructionists."
  • Lisa Brady contextualizes the votes and ongoing negotiations around short-term government funding. [01:44]

4. Pentagon Controversy: Staffer Criticizes President

• Summary: A Navy Department staffer is placed on leave after being filmed by James O’Keefe criticizing President Trump and the rationale for the ongoing Iran conflict. The staffer vows to remain in his post to counteract the president’s policies, calling Trump a “textbook narcissist” and declaring the war “completely stupid.”
• Notable Quotes & Segments:
  • [02:20] James O'Keefe (via Lisa Brady): The staffer “pledges to stay in his role to wait out the president’s time in office so he can undo policies of the president, who he called a textbook narcissist. He also said the war in Iran is completely stupid and driven, based off of one man’s ego.”
  • The Navy responds, emphasizing seriousness about the breach of conduct. [02:56]

5. Tech Industry Fines: Google Penalized in the EU

• Summary: Google faces a $1 billion fine for anti-competitive practices in Europe. The EU asserts Google favored its own services on available digital platforms. Google defends itself, arguing that European consumers and businesses are the true losers and notes it recently lost an appeal on a prior, larger fine.
• [02:56] Lisa Brady briefly presents the issue and company reaction.

6. TSA’s New ‘Gold Plus’ Security Program

• Summary: Tampa International Airport is joining the new TSA Gold Plus program, which outsources passenger screening to private contractors while operating under TSA oversight. The aim: prevent security lapses during government shutdowns without sacrificing standards. The move is contentious, with union opposition.
• Notable Quotes & Segments:
  • [03:27] Matt Murphy: “Tampa International Airport is becoming one of the first in the nation to join the TSA’s new Gold Plus program, shifting passenger screening to a private contractor... officials say the move could help prevent security disruptions during future government shutdowns... the union representing TSA officers is pushing back, arguing privatizing airport checkpoints could put profits ahead of public safety and weaken the federal workforce.”

7. Financial Markets and Energy

• Summary: US oil prices rise to almost $92 per barrel, and the Dow falls by over 500 points amid market uncertainty.
• [04:02] Lisa Brady closes with this quick note on economic headlines.

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Memorable Quotes with Attribution

• Marco Rubio [00:12]: “The problem with Iran is every time they make a deal, the people that are in charge there, they either break it or they want to change it.”
• Caroline Levitt [00:38]: “The deal... absolutely puts America first, and that’s obviously very important to this president.”
• Caroline Levitt [01:34]: “This president in this White House wants the government to remain open, unlike the Democrats in this town who have been acting as obstructionists.”
• James O'Keefe (excerpt of staffer) [02:20]: “...undo policies of the president, who he called a textbook narcissist. He also said the war in Iran is completely stupid and driven, based off of one man’s ego.”
• Matt Murphy [03:27]: “Officials say the move could help prevent security disruptions during future government government shutdowns while maintaining the same federal security standards.”

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:02-01:34] — Iran, US-Saudi nuclear deal, Abraham Accords, and congressional moves on military action
• [01:34-01:59] — Government shutdown worries and funding extension
• [02:15-02:56] — Pentagon staff criticism and administrative leave following video leak
• [02:56-03:27] — EU fines for Google’s alleged antitrust violations
• [03:27-04:02] — TSA Gold Plus program rollout and related controversy
• [04:02-end] — Quick update on oil prices and Dow index

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Episode Flow & Tone

The coverage is brisk, direct, and news-driven, presenting positions from administration officials, lawmakers, and critics alike. Listeners are provided with both reporting and relevant quotes, framed in the Fox News style: skeptical of foreign adversaries, emphasizing American interests, and openly critical of opposition maneuvers in Congress.

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This summary offers a clear roadmap to all urgent headlines and debates captured in this Fox News update, encapsulating the cross-section of foreign policy, domestic politics, security, tech, and finance.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

Iran's not ready to make a deal on Lisa Brady, FOX News. That bottom line from Secretary of State Marco Rubio based on Iran's continued attacks on commercial shipping.

[Marco Rubio]

Iran is begging us, okay, both directly and indirectly. Let's do a deal. Let's talk. Let's talk. Iran is begging every day. The problem with Iran is every time they make a deal, the people that are in charge there, they either break it or they want to change it.

[Lisa Brady]

So he says they'll continue to pay a price. After 12 straight nights of US strikes, the White House facing a lot of questions about a new nuclear deal in the work with the Saudis allowing a nuclear program for civilian purposes only and not allowing uranium enrichment.

[Caroline Levitt]

This agreement in particular, as it's been discussed thus far, does give priority access for American companies and the Saudi nuclear energy program, which will ultimately benefit American industry, workers and supply chains. So the deal that has been discussed thus far and will continue to be discussed absolutely puts America first and that's obviously very important to this president.

[Lisa Brady]

White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt says the deal would require the kingdom to join the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations with Israel, though the Saudis have previously said that would happen only with a clear path to Palestinian statehood. Iran has long claimed its nuclear enrichment program is only for civilian purposes. The House passing a war powers resolution for the second time with several Republican defections aiming to require congressional approval for further military action in Iran. The Senate set to consider a similar resolution. The president had called the previous vote unpatriotic and meaningless. The White House urging Congress to avoid a government shutdown.

[Caroline Levitt]

The most important thing for the American people, people to know is that this president in this White House wants the government to remain open, unlike the Democrats in this town who have been acting as obstructionists.

[Lisa Brady]

The recent shutdowns were driven by fights over ICE funding. Levitt says discussions will continue on the best path forward in the Senate after the House passed a short term bill this week to fund the government into December. America is listening to Fox News.

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[Lisa Brady]

A Pentagon official is caught on camera criticizing the commander in chief, the Department

[James O'Keefe]

of the Navy placing a staffer on administrative leave after he was caught on hidden camera criticizing President Trump and the war in Iran. The senior Pentagon official in the footage shot by independent journalist James o' Keefe and posted to X, pledges to stay in his role to wait out the president's time in office so he can undo policies of the president, who he called a textbook narcissist. He also said the war in Iran is completely stupid and driven, based off of one man's ego, the acting secretary of the Navy, saying the department takes the conduct shown in the video extremely seriously.

[Lisa Brady]

Lillian Wu, Fox News Google gets a $1 billion fine from the European Union for breaking digital antitrust regulations. The EU says the tech giant set up its search engine and Google Play to favor its own services over competitors. Google says the fin harms European businesses and consumers. The company recently lost an appeal against a bigger fine related to its Android operating system. Airport security could soon look different at more airports across the US with one Florida location among the first to join a new TSA program.

[Matt Murphy]

Tampa International Airport is becoming one of the first in the nation to join the TSA's new Gold plus program, Shifting Passenger screening to a private contractor operating under TSA oversight. Airport officials say the move could help prevent security disruptions during future government government shutdowns while maintaining the same federal security standards. Des Moines has also signed on, and Charleston is reportedly considering the program. But the union representing TSA officers is pushing back, arguing privatizing airport checkpoints could put profits ahead of public safety and weaken the federal workforce.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Matt Murphy US oil prices surging back to nearly $92 a barrel, the Dow is down more than 500 points and Lisa Brady, Fox News.