2AM ET 07/13/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 2AM ET 07/13/2026

Host: Sue Guzman (FOX News Podcasts)
Air Date: July 13, 2026

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Episode Overview

This newscast covers the sudden death of US Senator Lindsey Graham, including preliminary autopsy findings and national political reactions. Further topics include updates on US-Iran tensions and military strikes, the debate over "birth tourism" and related legislative efforts, a major fire in Bangkok, and severe storms in Philadelphia. The episode delivers rapid headline news with commentary and analysis from key political figures and FOX News reporters.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sudden Death of Senator Lindsey Graham

[00:02–01:43]

• Preliminary Autopsy Findings:
  Lindsey Graham's death is attributed to an "aortic dissection due to hardening of the arteries."
• Bipartisan Tributes:
  • President Donald Trump appears on Meet the Press, recalling Graham’s widespread respect in the Senate.
  • Senator Cory Booker shares a personal account of bipartisan collaboration on criminal justice reform.
• Succession and Senate Impact:
  • South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster must appoint an interim successor.
  • The process for a special GOP primary and potential new committee leadership roles is outlined.

2. Mitch McConnell's Health Update

[01:43–01:56]

• Likelihood of Recovery:
  After nearly a month hospitalized, Senator McConnell discloses suffering a fall and subsequent mild pneumonia, which has been "successfully treated."

3. US-Iran Military Tensions

[02:52–03:34]

• Wave of US Strikes:
  US Central Command confirms strikes on Iranian targets such as air defense systems and missile equipment.
• Tehran’s Response:
  Iranian officials signal stalled negotiations pending a US rollback.
• Congressional Perspective:
  • Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX): IRGC is described as "the most militant" and the biggest obstacle to a diplomatic solution.

4. "Birth Tourism" and Congressional Action

[03:36–04:10]

• Legislative Movement:
  Republicans prioritize a bill to ban "birth tourism," citing concerns over health care costs and birthright citizenship.
• Oversight Viewpoint:
  • Rep. James Comer: Argues unauthorized use of Medicaid by foreigners increases costs for Americans.

5. International & Domestic Incidents

[04:10–04:46]

• Bangkok Beer Hall Fire:
  At least 27 dead, dozens injured as firefighters contain the blaze.
• Philadelphia Storms:
  Severe microbursts with 70 mph winds cause significant damage; officials clarify these were straight-line winds, not tornadoes.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Donald Trump pays tribute to Lindsey Graham

  "He was a great like a gauge, a temperature gauge of the Senate. He was somebody that most Democrats liked, some didn't, but most Democrats liked. And just about all of the Republicans liked Lindsey. He got along with everybody."
  — President Donald Trump, [00:21]

• Senator Cory Booker, on bipartisan work with Graham:

  "True to his word, he rolled up his sleeves and we went to work. And thanks to him and Dick Durbin and some other Senate heroes, our bill became the first step act after years two, two presidents, two Congresses and became law."
  — Senator Cory Booker, [00:47]

• Pat Fallon, on IRGC blocking Iran deal:

  "I think there are people that, you know, we've seen over the last several months in Tehran that want to make a deal and want to move forward with a non nuclear Iran. Problem is the IRGC are the ones that are the most militant, they have the most guns and they're the most willing to use them."
  — Rep. Pat Fallon, [03:19]

• James Comer, on "birth tourism":

  "When people from other countries come in illegally and utilize the benefits of free health care, which is what Medicaid is, then that makes health care more expensive for the rest of us."
  — House Oversight Chair James Comer, [03:56]

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Detailed Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:02 | Initial report: Preliminary findings in Senator Lindsay Graham's sudden death | | 00:21 | President Trump honors Graham on national television | | 00:47 | Cory Booker recalls partnering with Graham on criminal justice reform | | 01:09 | Analysis: South Carolina governor’s appointment powers and impact on Senate dynamics | | 01:43 | Chad Pergrim on Mitch McConnell’s month-long hospitalization and health update | | 02:52 | US launches new military strikes on Iran; details of targets and official reactions | | 03:19 | Rep. Pat Fallon explains IRGC's role in blocking Iran nukes talks | | 03:36 | Strait of Hormuz remains open; House GOP acts on "birth tourism" bill | | 03:56 | Rep. James Comer links birth tourism to US healthcare costs | | 04:10 | Supreme Court decision on Trump-era birthright citizenship order | | 04:12 | Deadly fire in Bangkok; firefighter response | | 04:27 | Philadelphia microburst: details of windstorms and regional damage |

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Tone & Style

The episode maintains FOX’s brisk, factual reporting style, interspersed with direct quotes and commentary from key political figures. The mood is serious and respectful when discussing the passing of Senator Graham, and direct when addressing policy debates and international incidents.

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This summary covers all core news content, omitting advertisements and promotional messages.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

Initial findings revealed. I'm Sue Guzman. FOX News preliminary findings released in the

[Fox News Reporter]

sudden death of US Senator Lindsey Graham. The autopsy report concluding that Graham likely died from an aortic dissection due to hardening of the arteries. On NBC's Meet the Press, President Trump praised Graham for his bipartisanship.

[President Donald Trump]

He was a great like a gauge, a temperature gauge of the Senate. He was somebody that most Democrats liked, some didn't, but most Democrats liked. And just about all of the Republicans liked Lindsey. He got along with everybody.

[Fox News Reporter]

Democrat New Jersey Senator Cory Booker recalled how he and Graham were able to work together on the issue of criminal justice reform.

[Senator Cory Booker]

True to his word, he rolled up his sleeves and we went to work. And thanks to him and Dick Durbin and some other Senate heroes, our bill became the first step act after years two, two presidents, two Congresses and became law.

[Fox News Reporter]

President Trump will join FOX and friends by phone Monday morning, 8 Eastern to remember Senator Graham. Well, talks are focusing on a replacement for the longtime senator.

[Political Analyst]

Now it's up to South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to appoint an immediate successor. Now, it's unclear if McMaster could tap a caretaker senator, somebody who just serves until the end of the term, which would be January of next year. Graham had just won the GOP primary for a fifth term starting in January, and the party must hold a new primary now sometime in the next four to five. And the winner then in November would serve the full Senate six year term starting in January. They also have to figure out who would succeed him as the chairman of the Budget Committee and what that means for maybe trying to do Budget Reconciliation 3.0.

[Sue Guzman]

Fox's Chad Pergrim and Senator Mitch McConnell speaking out about his health status after

[Fox News Reporter]

nearly a month in the hospital. He says he suffered a fall and went unconscious. He also says he developed a mild case of pneumonia that has since been successfully treated.

[Sue Guzman]

America is listening to FOX News.

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[Sue Guzman]

the United States has ended

[Fox News Reporter]

its latest wave of military strikes targeting Iran, insisting Tehran does not control the Strait of Hormu. Military Central Command says it hit air defense systems, radar sites, missile and drone equipment and small boats. In these latest attacks follows an Iranian media report that Tehran will not enter negotiations until the US Backs off its current positions. Republican Texas Congressman Pat Fallon says the IRGC is getting in the way of those talks.

[Republican Texas Congressman Pat Fallon]

I think there are people that, you know, we've seen over the last several months in Tehran that want to make a deal and want to move forward with a non nuclear Iran. Problem is the IRGC are the ones that are the most militant, they have the most guns and they're the most willing to use them.

[Sue Guzman]

Audio courtesy of fox's the BIG Weekend show.

[Fox News Reporter]

The United States as the Strait of Hormuz is open. Republicans heeding President Trump's demand to pass a bill banning birth tourism. Pregnant women from other countries traveling to the US to give birth to their child for American citizenship. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer telling fox's Sunday Night in America, birth tourism makes it harder for Americans to acquire health care.

[House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer]

When people from other countries come in illegally and utilize the benefits of free health care, which is what Medicaid is, then that makes health care more expensive for the rest of us.

[Fox News Reporter]

This comes after the Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration's executive order banning birthright citizenship. Huge fire that engulfed a beer hall in Bangkok, Thailand, has killed at least 27 people and injured dozens more firefighters, bringing the blaze under control early Monday in the northern part of the Thai capital. And cleanup is underway in Philadelphia after a powerful Syria of microbursts ripped through the region Saturday. Storms bringing winds of up to 70 miles an hour, knocking down trees, power lines and damaging buildings. Officials say it was straight line winds, not a tornado, that caused all the destruction.

[Sue Guzman]

I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX news.

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