2AM ET 05/20/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 2AM ET – May 20, 2026

Main Theme

This Fox News hourly newscast brings listeners up to speed on major national and international headlines for May 20, 2026. The focus is on President Trump’s enduring influence in Republican politics, updates on a tragic shooting at a San Diego mosque, an ongoing wildfire emergency in California, delicate U.S.-Iran negotiations, and developments surrounding the White House’s controversial ballroom construction.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s Influence in GOP Primaries

[00:02–00:56]

• Kentucky GOP Primary:

  • Navy SEAL veteran Edgar, backed by Trump, defeats incumbent Rep. Thomas Massie for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District nomination.
  • Massie reflects on his loss, expressing pride in his campaign:
    • “I got seven months left in Congress.” – Thomas Massie [00:29]
  • The result underscores former President Trump's strong sway among Republican voters.

• Texas Senate Primary:

  • Trump announces endorsement of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against Senator John Cornyn in the state’s upcoming GOP Senate runoff.
  • Ken Paxton describes Trump’s backing as pivotal:
    • “I think he’s the most significant endorsement in at least my lifetime. If you get his endorsement... it’s the gold standard.” – Ken Paxton [01:02–01:04]

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2. San Diego Mosque Shooting: Details and Aftermath

[01:04–01:47]

• Police identify suspects as 17-year-old Cain Clark and an 18-year-old accomplice, both believed to have been radicalized online.
• The teens killed three people at the Islamic Center of San Diego, then died by apparent suicide after fleeing the scene.
• Police discover hateful writings in suspects’ vehicle; guns used were registered to one suspect’s parent(s).
• Authorities are considering charges against the parents for their role in gun access.
• The mayor of San Diego announces increased police presence at houses of worship in response to the tragedy.

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3. Southern California Wildfire Emergency

[02:39–03:02]

• The “Sandy Fire” threatens suburban communities above Simi Valley.
• Over 17,000 residents are under evacuation orders; the fire has burned more than 2 square miles and is only 5% contained.
• Evacuation warnings persist for several neighborhoods as firefighters battle the dry brush blaze.

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4. U.S.–Iran Tensions and Diplomatic Maneuvers

[03:02–03:32]

• President Trump claims the U.S. is “nearing a peace deal” with Iran after halting a planned military strike.
• The administration is focusing on diplomatic talks, though both sides’ positions remain unclear:
  • “Maybe the Iranians aren’t themselves quite clear in what direction they want to go. They also are just a fractured country.” – Unattributed, White House source [03:11–03:18]
• Trump states he refrained from ordering the strike due to advice from Gulf state allies:
  • “I was an hour away. We were all set to go. We were going to be striking. Very. It would have been happening right now.” – Donald Trump [03:24–03:32]

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5. White House Ballroom Controversy

[03:32–04:20]

• Trump updates media during a White House construction tour, touting the strength and security of a new planned ballroom roof:
  • “The roof is dead flat with absolutely nothing but strength on it. It’s very strong steel. It’s drone proof and it’s meant for our military to be able to stay on it.” – Donald Trump [04:09–04:20]
• Trump claims the project is “tax-free” and to be fully funded by private donors including himself, though Senate Republicans are seeking additional federal security dollars.

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6. Potential Indictment of Raul Castro

[03:42–04:09]

• Reports emerge that the Justice Department may indict former Cuban President Raul Castro.
• DOJ declines to comment on the rumors, maintaining official silence on ongoing investigations.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If you get his endorsement... it’s the gold standard.” – Ken Paxton on Trump’s backing [01:04]
• “I got seven months left in Congress.” – Thomas Massie conceding defeat [00:29]
• “Maybe the Iranians aren’t themselves quite clear in what direction they want to go... they also are just a fractured country.” – Unattributed administration official [03:11–03:18]
• “I was an hour away. We were all set to go. We were going to be striking.” – Former President Trump on called-off Iran strike [03:24–03:32]
• “It’s very strong steel. It's drone proof and it’s meant for our military.” – Trump on the White House ballroom [04:09–04:20]

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:02 – Kentucky GOP primary results and Trump’s influence
• 00:47 – Trump’s endorsement in Texas Senate race
• 01:04 – San Diego mosque shooting details and aftermath
• 02:39 – Southern California wildfire update
• 03:02 – U.S.–Iran military tensions and halted strike
• 03:42 – DOJ potentially indicting Raul Castro
• 04:09 – Trump updates on White House ballroom project

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This update provides a fast-paced, news-centric overview of the hour's major U.S. stories, emphasizing the ongoing narrative of Trump’s political presence, high-profile events, security concerns, and international tensions.

Transcript

[A]

Trump candidates are rolling. I'm Chris DiMaio. Fox News the results of a key primary race in Kentucky showcase President Trump's continued influence over Republican voters. Fox's Kristin Goodwin has more.

[B]

Edgar telling supporters standing in front of you here tonight as the Republican nominee for Kentucky Congressional District 4, the President TRUMP backed. Navy SEAL veteran winning the district's GOP primary, defeating incumbent Representative Thomas Massie. I got seven months left in Congress. Massie, who has served in Congress since 2012, reacting to the laws, telling supporters they ran a race they can be proud of. Kristen Goodwin, Fox News President Trump announcing

[A]

on social media Tuesday that he's endorsing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a bid to oust Texas Senator John Cornyn in the runoff of the GOP Senate primary next week.

[C]

I think he's the most significant endorsement in at least my lifetime. If you get his endorsement, it's better than he is. It's the gold standard.

[A]

That's Ken Paxton on fox's the Will Kane Show. Police revealing new details about the two teenagers who killed three at a San Diego mosque. Fox's Christina Coleman has more.

[D]

Police identify the teenage gunman as 17 year old Cain Clark and an 18 year old accomplice. They believe they were radicalized online before carrying out the shooting at the Islamic center of San Diego. Authorities say the teenage suspects drove off after the shooting and then turned the guns on themselves. Their bodies were found in a BMW nearby. Officers also say they found hateful writings in that vehicle. Police say the guns used were registered to one of the suspect's parents. And authorities also say they have not ruled out the possibility of charging those parents.

[A]

San Diego's mayor announcing increased police protection for houses of worship in the wake of the shooting. America's listening to FOX News

[B]

News.

[E]

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[A]

More than 17,000 people are under evacuation orders as a wildfire continues to threaten suburban homes in Southern California. The Sandy fire in the hills above Simi Valley had consumed more than 2 square miles of dry brush and is only 5% contained. Warnings are still in place for several neighborhoods. President Trump claims the US Is nearing a peace deal with Iran after postponing a strike on the regime.

[F]

The Trump administration is letting talks with Iran play out even as the vice president president says it's not always clear what the regime's negotiating position is.

[A]

Maybe the Iranians aren't themselves quite clear in what direction they want to go to. They also are just a fractured country.

[F]

It comes after the president took his finger off the trigger Monday at the behest of Gulf allies.

[G]

I was an hour away. We were all set to go. You're talking about yesterday.

[B]

Yes.

[G]

We were going to be striking. Very. It would have been happening right now.

[F]

The president giving an update during an impromptu tour of construction of the White House ballroom as Senate Republican struggle to include funding for the project in their reconciliation bill.

[A]

That's Fox's Aisha Hosny in Washington. The Justice Department is expected to indict former Cuban President Raul Castro today, according to Fox News Digital. But a DOJ spokeswoman saying that the department would not comment on rumors the 94 year old Castro is the younger brother of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro. President Trump speaking outside a construction zone for his planned White House ballroom, saying the roof will be sturdy enough for military forces to keep a watch on events.

[G]

The roof is dead flat with absolutely nothing but strength on it. It's very strong steel. It's drone proof and it's meant for our military to be able to stay on it.

[A]

The president also claims the project is tax free. It will be fully paid for by himself and donors. But Republicans have sought a roughly billion dollars in tax money related to security for the project. I'm Chris Di Mao. This is FO

[H]

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