2AM ET 06/20/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 2AM ET 06/20/2026

Host: Deborah Valentine, FOX News Podcasts
Date: June 20, 2026

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Episode Overview

This Fox News Hourly Update delivers the latest global and national news highlights for early June 20, 2026, with a focus on Middle East conflict developments, allegations regarding Dr. Fauci and COVID-19, a major U.S. presidential aircraft unveiling, a high-profile murder case, and sports updates from the 2026 World Cup.

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Key News and Discussion Points

1. Ceasefire and Escalation: Israel, Hezbollah, and U.S. Diplomacy

• [00:02–00:40]
  • Despite an announced ceasefire, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants continue deadly exchanges in Lebanon.
    • Alex Hogan: "The IDF hit dozens of Hezbollah targets after attacks from the Iranian backed group killed four Israeli soldiers earlier. And Lebanon says that at least 47 people were killed in new Israeli airstrikes."
  • Israel insists it will uphold the ceasefire but respond to attacks.
  • U.S. involvement:
    • Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with Israeli PM Netanyahu.
    • President Trump, in an Axios interview, called for "Israeli restraint".
      • Ryan Reynolds (quoting Trump): "If it weren't for Donald Trump, Israel would have been eviscerated." [00:40]
  • Tensions remain high, despite diplomatic overtures.

Notable Quote

• "If it weren't for Donald Trump, Israel would have been eviscerated." – President Trump (via Ryan Reynolds) [00:40]

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2. Strait of Hormuz Traffic and Ceasefire Talks

• [00:46–00:55]
  • Increased commercial recovery and movement noted in the Strait of Hormuz.
    • Alex Hogan: "Kepler, which is monitoring the strait showing recovery, saying this was the most traffic in the critical waterway since June 2."
  • Upcoming ceasefire talks to be held in Switzerland involving U.S. and Iranian representatives.

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3. COVID-19 Lab Leak Allegations and Dr. Fauci

• [00:55–01:51]
  • U.S. DNI Director Tulsi Gabbard releases documents suggesting Dr. Anthony Fauci misled the public regarding COVID-19 origin and information.
    • Tulsi Gabbard: “The records show intelligence officials were discussing a possible lab leak much earlier than many Americans realized and that some analysts who supported that theory later faced career consequences.” [01:30]
    • She accuses Dr. Fauci of funding controversial "gain of function" research at the Wuhan lab.
    • Deborah Valentine (paraphrasing): "Dr. Fauci became the nation's pandemic pundit and he publicly pushed lies, disinformation and censorship using every platform available, she argued." [01:19]
  • Dr. Fauci has denied wrongdoing.
    • Deborah Valentine: "Fox's Brook Taylor Dr. Fauci has denied wrongdoing." [01:51]

Memorable Moment

• Tulsi Gabbard: “The records show intelligence officials were discussing a possible lab leak much earlier than many Americans realized...” [01:30]

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4. New Air Force One Unveiling

• [02:32–03:15]
  • President Trump debuts a new, temporary Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews.
    • Jared Halpern: "Inside a hulking hangar at Joint base Andrews outside D.C. president Trump walked down the steps of a new aircraft that will begin serving as Air Force One." [02:36]
    • Ryan Reynolds (quoting Trump): "There will never be one like this. This is very unique. This is considered the world's most luxurious plane when it was built." [02:45]
  • Aircraft was a gift from the government of Qatar and retrofitted over ten months.
  • Features lavish amenities and serves as a bridge until a new fleet is ready.

Notable Quote

• "There will never be one like this. This is very unique. This is considered the world's most luxurious plane when it was built." – President Trump (via Ryan Reynolds) [02:45]

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5. High-Profile Murder Case: Carmelo Anthony

• [03:15–03:43]
  • Update on the murder conviction of teenager Carmelo Anthony for the stabbing and killing of Austin Metcalfe.
    • Both were 17 at the time; Anthony claimed self-defense.
    • Audio of Anthony: "He put his hands on me." [03:28, 03:32]
  • Jury found Anthony guilty of first-degree murder; sentenced to 35 years, with parole eligibility after half that time.
  • Case sparked allegations of racism from Anthony's supporters.

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6. 2026 World Cup: Team USA Advances

• [03:43–04:17]
  • Team USA becomes the second nation to reach the knockout stage with a 2–0 win over Australia.
    • Chanley Painter: "They started fast against Australia, constantly pressuring up front..." [03:54]
    • First goal was an own goal by an Australian defender; second scored by 21-year-old Alex Freeman.
    • Freeman’s father is former NFL star Antonio Freeman.
    • Mexico also qualified for the knockout phase.

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Timestamps of Major Segments

• Middle East Ceasefire & U.S. Response: [00:02–00:40]
• Strait of Hormuz & Diplomatic Talks: [00:46–00:55]
• Tulsi Gabbard vs. Dr. Fauci: [00:55–01:51]
• New Air Force One Revealed: [02:32–03:15]
• Carmelo Anthony Murder Case Update: [03:15–03:43]
• World Cup: USA & Mexico to Knockouts: [03:43–04:17]

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Memorable Quotes

• President Trump (via Ryan Reynolds): “If it weren't for Donald Trump, Israel would have been eviscerated.” [00:40]
• Tulsi Gabbard: “The records show intelligence officials were discussing a possible lab leak much earlier than many Americans realized...” [01:30]
• President Trump (via Ryan Reynolds): “There will never be one like this. This is very unique. This is considered the world's most luxurious plane when it was built.” [02:45]
• Carmelo Anthony: “He put his hands on me.” [03:28, 03:32]

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Summary

This edition of the Fox News Hourly Update covers escalation in Israel-Lebanon hostilities and related diplomatic moves, breaking claims about Dr. Fauci and COVID-19 origins, President Trump's showcase of a new Air Force One, a racially charged youth murder conviction, and Team USA's success in the World Cup. The coverage is concise and fact-driven, maintaining FOX News' signature brisk, headline-oriented tone.

Transcript

[Deborah Valentine]

Heading to Switzerland. I'm Deborah Valentine, Fox News. Although they've agreed to a ceasefire, deadly attacks are reported between Israeli Defense Forces and Iran backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Fox's Alex Hogan reports from Tel Aviv.

[Alex Hogan]

The IDF hit dozens of Hezbollah targets after attacks from the Iranian backed group killed four Israeli soldiers earlier. And Lebanon says that at least 47 people were killed in new Israeli airstrikes. While Israel says a ceasefire is in effect, it says it will respond if it is attacked. The State Department says U.S. secret Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the phone. And President Trump in an interview with Axios called for Israeli restraint.

[Ryan Reynolds]

If it weren't for Donald Trump, Israel would have been eviscerated.

[Alex Hogan]

Meantime, new progress in the Strait of Hormuz. Kepler, which is monitoring the strait showing recovery, saying this was the most traffic in the critical waterway since June 2.

[Deborah Valentine]

According to Axios, US special envoy Steve Wyckoff and Iranian's foreign minister are heading to Switzerland to advance their ceasefire talks. DNI director Tulsi Gabbard releasing documents that point towards Dr. Anthony Fauci allegedly misleading information about COVID 19.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

Tulsi Gabbard is saying these documents further prove that and show what she calls a massive COVID 19 cover up. Listen.

[Deborah Valentine]

Dr. Fauci became the nation's pandemic pundit and he publicly pushed lies, disinformation and censorship using every platform available, she argued.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

The records show intelligence officials were discussing a possible lab leak much earlier than many Americans realized and that some analysts who supported that theory later faced career consequences. Gabbard claims Dr. Fauci, quote, provided millions of dollars in U.S. taxpayer dollars to fund dangerous gain of function research at the Wuhan lab.

[Deborah Valentine]

Fox's Brook Taylor Dr. Fauci has denied wrongdoing. America's listening to Fox News

[Jared Halpern]

response.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Who helps America fly higher, dream even bigger? People do. Since 1879, our people have been more than a source of energy. They've been a source of progress. Today, that same progress is helping deliver record US Energy production, fueling the workers, the makers, the boundary pushers and risk takers who spark the breakthroughs that move America forward. Learn more about what our people [e-mail] USA250

[Deborah Valentine]

President Trump unveiling the new Air Force One during an event at Joint Base Andrews.

[Jared Halpern]

Inside a hulking hangar at Joint base Andrews outside D.C. president Trump walked down the steps of a new aircraft that will begin serving as Air Force One.

[Ryan Reynolds]

There will never be one like this. This is very unique. This is considered the world's most luxurious plane when it was built.

[Jared Halpern]

The aircraft, considered a bridge by the Air Force until a new fleet of presidential planes is complete, was a gift from the government of Qatar. Military spent 10 months retrofitting the aircraft. Inside, several spacious cabins feature leather seating and large television monitors for staff and the press at the White House. Jared Halpern, Fox News More details involving

[Deborah Valentine]

teen Carmelo Anthony stabbing and killing of Austin Metcalfe. Fox's Christina Coleman.

[Christina Coleman]

Anthony and Metcalf were both 17 years old at the time. Anthony claimed he stabbed him in self defense. Here's audio of Anthony giving his side of the story.

[Deborah Valentine]

He put his hands on me.

[Ryan Reynolds]

I told him nothing.

[Alex Hogan]

He put his hands on me.

[Christina Coleman]

A jury found Anthony guilty of first degree murder last week. The 19 year old was sentenced to 35 years in prison. He's eligible for parole after serving half of that time.

[Deborah Valentine]

It ignited a wave of racism accusations from his supporters. Team USA is the second nation to reach the knockout stage of the 2026 World cup with a two to nothing victory over Australia.

[Chanley Painter]

They started fast against Australia, constantly pressuring up front and when Flo Baligan surged down the left and hit a low cross, an Australian defender put it into his own goal. The was scored by the youngest member of the entire US squad, 21 year old Alex Freeman. Adding to the legend of the Freeman family, his father Antonio, a former star wide receiver in the NFL.

[Deborah Valentine]

Fox's Chanley Painter reporting on that matchup in Seattle. The other nation that's qualified is Mexico. I'm Debra Valentine, this is Fox News.

[Ryan Reynolds]

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[Alex Hogan]

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