12PM ET 07/26/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 12PM ET | July 26, 2025

Hosted by FOX News Podcasts

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1. Ghislaine Maxwell Faces Continued Legal Scrutiny

[00:02] Jack Callahan opens the segment by highlighting the ongoing legal challenges facing Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell, a convicted sex offender and former associate of Jeffrey Epstein, was questioned by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche for the second consecutive day.

[00:20] David Marcus, Maxwell's attorney, expressed frustration, stating, “She has been treated unfairly for the past five years. She didn't get a fair trial. We're still appealing to the Supreme Court.” He further revealed plans to file a reply to the Supreme Court regarding her cert petition on Monday, asserting, “the truth will come out.”

Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence in Tallahassee for her involvement in Epstein’s trafficking and abuse of underage girls. Jack Callahan notes speculations about Maxwell seeking a presidential pardon or a commutation of her sentence. When questioned, a spokesperson for President Trump declined to comment, stating, “It’s something I have not thought about.”

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2. President Trump Engages in EU Trade Talks in Scotland

[00:56] Jack Callahan transitions to international affairs, reporting on President Trump's visit to Scotland to discuss economic matters with European Union leaders.

[01:07] Jackie Heinrich, Fox's correspondent in Edinburgh, conveys the President's assessment of the trade deal's prospects: “the chances of a trade deal with the EU are about 50, maybe less.” However, Trump remains cautiously optimistic, comparing the situation to Japan's earlier negotiations. He emphasized potential consequences if talks falter:

“He will impose 30% tariffs on EU imports on August 1st if it comes to that,” Jackie Heinrich reports.

In response, the EU has indicated readiness to retaliate with equivalent tariffs on over $100 billion worth of U.S. goods, including bourbon, soybeans, and airplanes. Callahan adds that President Trump is set to meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to further discuss trade deliberations.

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3. Federal Court Rejects Trump Administration's Sanctuary City Lawsuit

In a significant legal defeat for the Trump administration, Carmen Roberts reports that a federal judge dismissed the administration's lawsuit against Illinois and Chicago. The lawsuit targeted local sanctuary policies, alleging they hindered federal immigration enforcement.

[02:32] Carmen Roberts highlights the ruling by U.S. District Judge Lindsey Jenkins, who stated, “the government lacked standing to override local laws that limit cooperation and information sharing between law enforcement.” Additionally, the administration continues its legal battle against New York City over similar sanctuary policies.

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4. FAA Investigates Southwest Airlines' Evasive Maneuver

[02:38] Jack Callahan brings attention to an aviation incident reported by Madeline Rivera. A Southwest Airlines jet, shortly after departing from Burbank Airport, made a drastic descent to avoid a potential mid-air collision.

[03:18] Madeline Rivera provides details:

“The Southwest plane dropped from around 14,000ft to about 13,500ft within a minute, sending passengers screaming.”

The FAA indicates the maneuver was a response to alerts about another aircraft—a Hawker Hunter jet—in the vicinity. Fortunately, two flight attendants sustained only minor injuries, and the aircraft landed safely in Las Vegas. Madeline Rivera also references a similar incident from the previous week, where a passenger plane avoided colliding with a B52 bomber over North Dakota.

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5. Escalating Tensions: Israeli Airstrikes and Palestinian Responses

In a brief update, Jack Callahan reports that Israeli airstrikes and gunfire resulted in the deaths of at least 25 individuals overnight. Palestinian health officials and local ambulance services, both under Hamas control, have reported the incident. The Israeli army has not yet responded to requests for comments regarding the shootings.

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Note: Advertisements and non-content segments have been excluded to maintain focus on the core news updates.

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Stay informed with FOX News Podcasts for the latest developments and in-depth analyses on today's top stories.

Transcript

[Jack Callahan]

Two of the Ghislaine Maxwell meetings. I'm Jack Callahan, Fox News. The deputy attorney general questioning the convicted sex offender and former Jeffrey Epstein associate for a second day yesterday.

[David Marcus]

Ghislaine Maxwell's attorney David Marcus, speaking after another three hours of questions from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche Friday.

[Ghislaine Maxwell's Attorney]

She has been treated unfairly for the past five years. She didn't get a fair trial. We're still appealing to the Supreme Court. We're going to be filing a reply in the Supreme Court on her cert petition on Monday saying the truth will.

[David Marcus]

Come out and suggesting Maxwell is hoping for a presidential pardon or commutation of her sentence. President Trump responding to questions about this Friday I'm allowed to do it, but.

[Jack Callahan]

It'S something I have not thought about.

[David Marcus]

Maxwell is serving a 20 year prison sentence in Tallahassee for her role in helping late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein traffic and abuse underage girls. Kristin Goodwin, Fox News.

[Jack Callahan]

President Trump is preparing for economic discussions with some European Union leaders today during his visit to Scotland. Fox's Jackie Heinrich, traveling with the president, reports from Edinburgh.

[Jackie Heinrich]

The president said as he was leaving the White House the chances of a trade deal with the EU are about 50, 50 or maybe less. But he also suggested that's not quite as dim as it sounds, explaining that he would have put Japan's chances at a deal at about 25%, but they kept making concessions and they were able to work out. He confirmed that he will be meeting with the president of the EU Commission if no deal is reached. The president said he will impose 30% tariffs on EU imports on August 1st if it comes to that, the EU is ready to retaliate with 30% tariffs and more than $100 billion worth of US goods, including bourbon, soybeans and airplanes.

[Jack Callahan]

President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von von der Leyen will hold talks on trade tomorrow. America is listening to Fox.

[Ryan Reynolds]

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[Mint Mobile Announcer]

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[Jack Callahan]

Sold.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment.

[Mint Mobile Announcer]

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[Jack Callahan]

The Trump administration losing another court decision. As Fox's Carmen Roberts reports, a federal.

[Carmen Roberts]

Judge dismisses the Trump administration's lawsuit against Illinois and Chicago over sanctuary policies that the government has said interfere with Federal Immigration Enforcement. U.S. district Judge Lindsey Jenkins said the government lacked standing to override local laws that limit cooperation and information sharing between law enforcement. The Trump administration is also suing New York City over its sanctuary policies.

[Jack Callahan]

Carmen Roberts, Fox News FAA investigating after a Southwest Airlines jet reportedly dropped hundreds of feet to avoid a mid air collision yesterday. Fox's Madeline Rivera reports it happened shortly.

[Madeline Rivera]

After the plane took off from Burbank Airport yesterday afternoon. The FAA says a Southwest Airlines flight was responding to an alert about another aircraft within its vicinity. Data from Flightradar24 indicates a hawker Hunter jet was in the same airspace when this happened. A Hawker Hunter is a British fighter plane. Per flight radar, the Southwest plane dropped from around 14,000ft to about 13,500ft within a minute, sending passengers screaming. A Southwest spokesperson says the crew was responding to two traffic alerts that required them to climb and descend.

[Jack Callahan]

Two flight attendants were treated for minor injuries. The plane was able to land at its destination of Las Vegas without further incident. You may recall last week a passenger plane had to take evasive action to avoid colliding with a B52 bomber over north Dakota. Israeli airstrikes and gunshots killed at least 25 people overnight. And today, according to Palestinian health officials and a local ambulance service, both controlled by Hamas, Israel's army has yet to respond to a request for comments about the shooting. I'm Jack Kelahan and this is Fox News.

[Jason Chaffetz]

This is Jason Chaffetz from the Jason in the House podcast. Join me every Monday, Monday to dive deeper into the latest political headlines and chat with remarkable guests. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you download podcasts.