2AM ET 07/05/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 2AM ET 07/05/2026 Newscast

Host: Debra Valentine (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: July 5, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update covers pivotal national and international headlines, focusing on America’s 250th Independence Day celebrations, President Trump’s remarks and policy initiatives, ongoing election developments, major changes in U.S. trade relationships, significant global tensions after the death of Iran's supreme leader, and a local legal issue involving Paul Pelosi.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. America’s 250th Birthday & President Trump’s Address

[00:02–00:54]

• Celebration Context:
  America marks its 250th birthday with President Trump speaking from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., amid nationwide celebrations—some disrupted by weather.

• Presidential Remarks:

  • President Trump delivers a patriotic speech, highlighting America’s exceptionalism and recent successes:

    • “This country is the home of freedom. This is the land of liberty, and this is a flag that's the banner of the most extraordinary, most exceptional, most incredible nation ever to exist on the face of the earth. And we're doing better now than we've ever done before.”
      — Donald Trump [00:17]

  • Uses the occasion to advance his voter ID initiative as part of the "Save America Act":

    • “America is back and we want to keep America great and we will do so by approving the Save America act, which means all voters must show voter ID.”
      — Donald Trump [00:43]

  • Political Context:
    Democratic leaders criticize the voter ID plan, likening it to “Jim Crow 2.0.”

• Nationwide Celebrations Marred by Weather:
  Numerous events are delayed or canceled due to ongoing severe heat and weather disruptions.

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2. Arizona Primary Elections Update

[01:16–01:51]

• Upcoming Primary:
  Arizona holds the only primary in July, with Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs facing four Republican challengers on July 21, including notable Congressmen David Schweikart and Andy Biggs.

• Congressional Races:

  • Schweikart's run for governor leaves District 1 open; three Republicans and four Democrats (including DCCC-endorsed Marlene Wood) in contention.
  • Dr. Amish Shah (D), who lost to Schweikart by 4 points four years ago, runs again in District 6.
  • Incumbent GOP Rep. Juan Siskamani (District 6) is unopposed, facing Democrat Joanna Mendoza in the general election.

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3. U.S. Trade Policy Shift: USMCA Not Renewed

[02:23–02:58]

• Administration Decision:
  The Trump administration lets the US-Mexico-Canada trade pact (USMCA) expire by not extending it for another 16 years.

  • “President Trump has signaled dissatisfaction with the deal and says he prefers one on one trade agreements.”
    — Jared Halpern [02:30]

• Next Steps:
  The administration initiates separate reviews with Canada and Mexico, opening the door for potential treaty renegotiations.

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4. International: Iran’s Leadership Transition After Airstrike

[02:58–03:38]

• Funeral for Ayatollah Khamenei:
  Massive crowds fill Tehran streets to mourn the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in a U.S.-backed Israeli airstrike at the onset of the recent Iran conflict.

  • “Crowds marching past his flag draped coffin chanting death to America and death to Israel. Man calling for revenge.”
    — Paul Stevens [03:07]

• Leadership Transition:
  Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei assumes power during a tense period of negotiation aimed at ending the war and resolving the strategic status of the Strait of Hormuz.

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5. Paul Pelosi Faces Hit-and-Run Charge

[03:38–04:20]

• Incident Details:
  Paul Pelosi, husband to former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run after allegedly striking a parked vehicle in Napa County, California.

  • Police report he “continued driving until his vehicle became disabled,” but alcohol was not a factor. Pelosi reportedly said “he knew he had something but didn’t know what.”

• Next Steps:
  The sheriff’s office will seek a driver re-evaluation for the 86-year-old Pelosi.

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “This is the land of liberty, and this is a flag that's the banner of the most extraordinary, most exceptional, most incredible nation ever to exist ...”
  — Donald Trump [00:17]
• “America is back and we want to keep America great and we will do so by approving the Save America act, which means all voters must show voter ID.”
  — Donald Trump [00:43]
• “President Trump has signaled dissatisfaction with the [USMCA] deal and says he prefers one on one trade agreements.”
  — Jared Halpern [02:30]
• “Crowds marching past his flag draped coffin chanting death to America and death to Israel. Man calling for revenge.”
  — Paul Stevens [03:07]

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Important Segment Timestamps

• America 250 & Trump’s Speech: [00:02–00:54]
• Arizona Primaries & Congressional Races: [01:16–01:51]
• USMCA Trade Pact Winds Down: [02:23–02:58]
• Iran’s Supreme Leader Funeral & Succession: [02:58–03:38]
• Paul Pelosi Hit-and-Run Charge: [03:38–04:20]

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This update delivers concise coverage of major political, electoral, international, and legal developments, featuring direct quotes from President Trump and on-the-ground reporting from Fox correspondents.

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

America 250. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. President Trump speaking to Americans from the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on the nation's 250th birthday as communities across the U.S. celebrate the nation's semiquincentennial.

[Donald Trump]

This country is the home of freedom. This is the land of liberty, and this is a flag that's the banner of the most extraordinary, most exceptional, most incredible nation ever to exist on the face of the earth. And we're doing better now than we've ever done before.

[Debra Valentine]

The President using the event to promote his long standing initiative requiring voter ID for elections.

[Donald Trump]

America is back and we want to keep America great and we will do so by approving the Save America act, which means all voters must show voter id.

[Debra Valentine]

Democratic congressional leadership has referred to voter ideas. Jim Crow 2.0 Many Americans from coast to coast celebrations delayed, shortened or canceled due to weather related events. After millions of Americans spent the past few days dealing with triple digit temperatures, primary election season continues with Arizona holding the lone primary for the month of July this fall.

[Fox News Political Correspondent]

Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs will face one of four Republicans running in the governor's primary July 21, including Congressmen David Schweikart and Andy Biggs. There are at least two toss up congressional districts in Arizona. Schweikart's run for governor leaves District 1 open. Three Republicans are running along with four Democrats including Marlene Wood, endorsed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign committee. Democrat and Dr. Amish Shah ran against Schweikart four years ago and lost by four points. He's running again in district six. Incumbent Republican Congressman Juan Siskamani is running unopposed. He will face retired Marine Joanna Mendoza, who also has no primary challengers.

[Debra Valentine]

Jessica Rosenthal, Fox News America's listening to Fox News.

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[Debra Valentine]

President Trump is pulling the plug on a trade deal negotiated during his first term. Fox's Jared Halpern has more from the White House.

[Jared Halpern]

The Trump administration is not renewing the U. S Mexico, Canada trade pact, allowing a July 1 deadline to extend the agreement for 16 more years to pass. That decision was expected. President Trump has signaled dissatisfaction with the deal and says he prefers one on one trade agreements. Trump administration officials have already kick started a review process, meeting separately with Canadian and Mexican counterparts. That could lead to a renegotiation of the treaty. At the White House, Jared Halpern, FOX news.

[Debra Valentine]

As the US celebrates America 250, Iran mourns as it holds a days long funeral for for its late leader killed at the start of the U. S. Israel, Iran conflict.

[Paul Stevens]

Hundreds of thousands of people filling the streets of Tehran as Iran began a days long funeral for the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed in a U S Backed Israeli airstrike during the Iran war. Crowds marching past his flag draped coffin chanting death to America and death to Israel. Man calling for revenge. That funeral also marking a pivotal moment for Iran's leadership as the Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei takes power and the regime tries to strengthen its position during negotiations over a permanent end to the war and control of the Strait of Hormuz.

[Debra Valentine]

Fox's Paul Stevens with that report on the days long funeral. Paul Pelosi, the 86 year old husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California is now facing a misdemeanor hit and run charge. Authorities say the 86 year old Pelosi allegedly struck a parked vehicle in Napa County, California on Friday and then allegedly drove away. The Napa County Sheriff's Office said Pelosi continued driving until his vehicle became disabled. Authorities said alcohol was not a factor in the crash. Pelosi told police he knew he had something but didn't know what. The sheriff's office said it will submit a driver re evaluation. I'm Debra Valentine. This is FOX News.

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