Fox News Hourly Update - Detailed Summary Episode: 12PM ET 07/31/2025 Newscast Release Date: July 31, 2025 Host: Lisa Brady, Lydia Hu, Jared Halpern, Jeff Manasso, Chris Foster
1. Legal Battle Over Presidential Tariffs
[00:02] Lisa Brady introduces the main story of the day: the Trump administration's legal challenge against a lower court ruling that deemed the president's use of tariffs to address trade imbalances and fentanyl as unconstitutional. This case centers on whether the President can unilaterally impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
[00:16] Lydia Hu provides background, explaining that in May, the Court of International Trade issued an injunction halting the collection of these tariffs. However, this injunction was subsequently stayed, allowing tariffs to continue while the case undergoes the appeal process.
2. President Trump's Defense of Tariff Policies
At [00:29] Lisa Brady reports that Lydia Hu conveys President Trump's stance, stating that without the ability to impose tariffs, "the country would have no chance of survival or success." Trump emphasizes the necessity of tariffs as a tool for protecting national interests.
[00:39] Lydia Hu further details the opposition's argument, highlighting that a coalition of five small businesses and a dozen Democrat-led states contend that the lower court was correct. They argue that Trump overstepped by using the IEEPA to enforce tariffs, specifically targeting his 10% universal tariffs and additional fentanyl-related tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China.
3. Ongoing Negotiations and Tariff Implications
[01:00] Lisa Brady updates listeners on President Trump's recent announcement of a negotiation period with Mexico. Despite reopening talks following a call with President Scheinbaum, tariffs on Mexican goods remain in effect for the time being.
[01:11] Jared Halpern elaborates on Trump's approach, referencing a Truth Social post where the president acknowledges the complexities of negotiating with Mexico due to the shared border. He outlines the administration's plan to engage in discussions over the next 90 days aiming to finalize a trade deal. Meanwhile, tariffs on Mexican imports will persist at 25%, with a substantial 50% tariff on steel, aluminum, and copper. However, certain products remain exempt under the existing U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement initiated during Trump's first term.
4. International Trade Tensions and Middle East Developments
[01:39] Lisa Brady reports from the White House that Jared Halpern adds information about the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on multiple countries, effective just after midnight. Additionally, the administration’s Middle East envoy is on the ground in Israel, engaging in talks with the Prime Minister. Pressure is mounting for increased humanitarian aid in Gaza, with Canada, France, and Britain signaling intentions to recognize Palestinian statehood in the near future.
5. Public Safety Concerns in Ohio
[02:36] Jeff Manasso shifts focus to Ohio, detailing how the state is responding to recent violent incidents. Following a viral video that captured the brutal beating of two individuals, Ohio has responded by deploying state troopers to Cincinnati at the city's request. This move aims to bolster the understaffed local police force by having troopers concentrate on traffic enforcement, thereby allowing city police to address and investigate other crimes. Governor Mike DeWine states, "The state has done this in other cities and that it's made a big difference," underscoring the effectiveness of state-level intervention in enhancing local law enforcement capabilities.
6. FBI Investigation and Political Insights
[03:07] Lisa Brady informs listeners that the FBI is actively investigating the attack that occurred last Friday. Defense lawyers involved in related cases suggest there may be additional complexities to the incident that are yet to be uncovered.
7. Kamala Harris's Upcoming Book and Political Future
[03:17] Chris Foster introduces a segment on former Vice President Kamala Harris, who is reportedly working on a new book titled "107 Days." The book chronicles her swift and ultimately unsuccessful campaign following President Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race on July 21st.
[03:25] Kamala Harris is quoted saying, "I've spent a lot of time reflecting on those days, talking with my team, my family, my friends, and pulling my thoughts together, in essence, writing a journal that is this book, 107 Days."
[03:39] Chris Foster summarizes the book's narrative, noting that it concludes with Harris's loss to President Trump on November 5th. Harris adds, "I believe there's value in sharing what I saw, what I learned and what I know it will take to move forward," indicating her intent to contribute to the national discourse through her experiences.
The book is scheduled for release on September 23rd, published by Simon and Schuster. Additionally, Harris announced her decision not to run for governor of California in the upcoming election year and has not publicly disclosed any plans regarding a potential 2028 presidential run.
8. Federal Reserve and Economic Indicators
[04:02] Lisa Brady brings attention to economic news following the Federal Reserve's recent decision to keep interest rates unchanged. Contrasting this, a new report reveals that the Fed's preferred inflation gauge has risen to 2.6% in June, up from 2.4% in May. This uptick signals a slight increase in the annual price growth.
Despite earlier downturns, [04:24] Lisa Brady notes that stock markets are currently rebounding. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up by five points after experiencing declines earlier in the day. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are advancing towards record highs, reflecting positive investor sentiment amid the fluctuating economic indicators.
9. Closing Remarks
[04:28] Jared Halpern wraps up the newscast by inviting listeners to join his podcast, "Jason in the House," every Monday for in-depth discussions on the latest political headlines and conversations with notable guests. He encourages the audience to listen and follow the podcast through Fox News Podcast platforms or other podcast distribution services.
End of Summary
