2AM ET 07/22/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update — 2AM ET, July 22, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a rapid-fire roundup of the latest global, national, and political events, focusing heavily on escalating military tensions in the Middle East, the US response to Iran, developments in domestic politics (notably in Arizona and New Jersey), and ongoing concerns about US military funding. Coverage includes live reports, direct statements and analysis from White House officials, on-the-ground reporting, and notable political reactions.

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Major Headlines and Key Insights

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1. US-Iran Hostilities Continue to Escalate

(00:02 – 00:56)

• US Airstrikes Intensify: Another night of US airstrikes targets Iranian assets, as diplomatic channels falter.
  • Goal: US Central Command aims "to limit or reduce the efforts of Iran to harass, target and disable shipping in the Strait of Hormuz." (Steve Harrigan, 00:18)
• Iranian Retaliatory Actions:
  • Iran manages to disable a Kuwaiti tanker off Oman and strikes a Kuwaiti desalination plant, targeting key US allies' infrastructure.
• Diplomatic Breakdown:
  • "No sign of any progress. Just the reverse. Both sides talking about a potential ratcheting up of events." (Steve Harrigan, 00:46)
• US Political Stance:
  • President Trump adopts a harder line, stating there are more severe options available: "The US has been nice to Iran so far, but there are much more options on the table." (Paraphrased from Steve Harrigan coverage, 00:54)

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2. US Soldier Death and Presidential Response in the Region

(00:56 – 01:12)

• Identification of Fallen Service Member:
  • The US confirms a third fatality in a recent Iran attack in Jordan: Sergeant Angel Rapperstadt from Queens, NY.
• Support for Lebanon Amid Conflict:
  • President Trump pledges additional US support for Lebanon during ongoing strife with Hezbollah.

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3. White House Diplomacy: Trump’s Willingness to Engage with Hezbollah

(01:12 – 01:41)

• Diplomatic Openness:
  • President Trump signals openness to direct talks, even with adversarial actors:
    • “I would speak to Hezbollah. I speak to everybody. I’ll speak to people that a lot of people think I shouldn’t be speaking to and things work out.” (Donald Trump, 01:34)
• Context: Conversation occurs as part of ongoing attempts to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

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4. US-Saudi Arabia Nuclear Deal

(01:41 – 02:00)

• Civic Nuclear Capability:
  • Trump administration reportedly finalizes a 30-year agreement allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium for civilian nuclear purposes; expected to be announced soon.
    • "President Trump has approved an agreement reportedly with Saudi Arabia that could potentially provide the kingdom with uranium enrichment capability for its civilian nuclear program." (Sue Guzman, 01:41)

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5. Arizona Gubernatorial Race: Andy Biggs Wins GOP Nomination

(02:32 – 03:00)

• Primary Outcome:
  • Former House Freedom Caucus chair Andy Biggs secures GOP nomination, defeating David Schweikart.
  • Faces Democratic incumbent Katie Hobbs in what is described as a closely contested race for governor.
• Political Context: Arizona expected to be a major election battleground.

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6. New Jersey Voting Controversy: Non-Citizens on Rolls

(03:00 – 03:30)

• Administrative Failure:
  • Thousands of non-citizens registered to vote (and some even voted) due to a state software issue.
  • Governor Mikie Sherrill calls out state agencies and prior administration for delay and lack of disclosure:
    • “It's unacceptable that the Vend released software with such a glaring error. It’s unacceptable that the NBC took a year to get this issue fixed, and it’s unacceptable that no one in the previous administration brought this to light.” (Democratic Governor, 03:00)
• Partisan Reactions:
  • Governor shifts some blame toward the Trump administration, suggesting they’re politicizing the issue:
    • “As the Trump administration tries to weaponize elections for political gain, I am ensuring that we protect our elections.” (Democratic Governor, 03:22)
  • Vice President J.D. Vance responds sardonically on social media:
    • "If only there was a way to stop this type of software error that allowed non-citizens to vote in our elections." (J.D. Vance, 03:30)

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7. US Military Funding Concerns Amid Middle East Conflict

(03:40 – 04:18)

• Pentagon Request:
  • War Secretary Pete Hegseth appeals to the Senate for more resources to sustain operations in Iran.
• Critical Shortfalls:
  • "The Pentagon is slated to run out of money at the end of July, early August, and so they need Congress to intervene if they're going to keep going." (Jennifer Griffin, 03:48)
  • Current operations are depleting maintenance and operational budgets, with escalating munitions use.
  • Pentagon communication concerns: Last open press briefing was over two months ago (May 5th).

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8. Congressional Action: Government Funding Extension

(04:18 – 04:28)

• House Passage:
  • The House passes a bill to extend government funding through the midterm elections; it awaits Senate consideration.
  • (Sue Guzman, 04:18)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Iran-U.S. Tensions:
  • “No sign of any progress. Just the reverse. Both sides talking about a potential ratcheting up of events.” — Steve Harrigan (00:46)
• Presidential Approach:
  • “I would speak to Hezbollah. I speak to everybody. I’ll speak to people that a lot of people think I shouldn’t be speaking to and things work out.” — Donald Trump (01:34)
• Election Integrity, Sarcastic Critique:
  • “If only there was a way to stop this type of software error that allowed non-citizens to vote in our elections.” — Vice President J.D. Vance (03:30)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• US-Iran Conflict Update: 00:02–00:56
• Fallen US Service Member: 00:56–01:12
• Trump on Hezbollah: 01:12–01:41
• US-Saudi Arabia Nuclear Deal: 01:41–02:00
• Arizona GOP Primary: 02:32–03:00
• New Jersey Voting Error: 03:00–03:30
• Pentagon Funding Appeal: 03:40–04:18
• House Government Funding: 04:18–04:28

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Tone & Language

The update is direct and urgent, maintaining a matter-of-fact tone. Speakers use assertive, pointed language, especially when addressing conflict, policy and election integrity. Straightforward commentary is blended with memorable turns of phrase—especially in the quotes from political leaders.

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This summary distills key developments and debates shaping both US domestic politics and its foreign policy posture as of July 22, 2026, and delivers a clear snapshot of the episode’s substance for anyone who missed the broadcast.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

Latest Iran strikes complete. I'm Sue Guzman, FOX News. It was another night of US Airstrikes against Iran as hopes are starting to dim for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. Fox's Steve Harrigan with more from Tel Aviv.

[Steve Harrigan]

The goal to limit or reduce the efforts of Iran to harass, target and disable shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. That's centcom's goal. Iran, on the other hand, has managed to disable yet another tanker, a Kuwaiti tanker or off the coast of Amman in that strait. Also, Iran hitting a Kuwaiti desalination plant once again targeting the infrastructure of allies close to the US in the region. As far as diplomatic efforts go, no sign of any progress. Just the reverse. Both sides talking about a potential ratcheting up of events. President Tuft talking tough inside the White House saying the US has been nice to Iran so far, but there are much more options on the table.

[Sue Guzman]

US Military has confirmed the death of a third service member in last Friday's attack by Iran in Jordan, identifying her as Sergeant Angel Rapperstadt of Queens, New York. President Trump pledging support for Lebanon following months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah.

[Peter Doocy]

During an Oval Office sit down, the president revealed that he isn't just trying direct diplomacy by talking to other world leaders. He is willing to try direct diplomacy by talking to terror group leaders. And he revealed this in the context of a meeting designed for to try to figure out how to stop the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

[Donald Trump]

I would speak to Hezbollah. I speak to everybody. I'll speak to people that a lot of people think I shouldn't be speaking to and things work out.

[Sue Guzman]

That's fox's Peter Doocy. And President Trump has approved an agreement reportedly with Saudi Arabia that could potentially provide the kingdom with uranium enrichment capability for its civilian nuclear program. The 30 year deal will reportedly be announced as early as Wednesday. America is listening to FOX News, who

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[Sue Guzman]

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[Sue Guzman]

Representative Andy Biggs, a fierce ally of President Trump and former head of the House Freedom Caucus, has won the Republican nomination for Arizona. Governor Biggs, defeating fellow Representative David Schweikart in the primary and will face Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs. In what is likely to be one of the closest gubernatorial races in November, New Jersey Governor Mikey Sherrill says thousands of non citizens were registered to vote in her state and some even cast ballots in past elections.

[Democratic Governor]

It's unacceptable that the Vend released software with such a glaring error. It's unacceptable that the NBC took a year to get this issue fixed and it's unacceptable that no one in the previous administration brought this to light.

[Vice President J.D. Vance]

Despite this issue in her state that occurred under the previous administration, the Democratic governor is criticizing President Trump.

[Democratic Governor]

As the Trump administration tries to weaponize elections for political gain, I am ensuring that we protect our elections.

[Vice President J.D. Vance]

Vice President J.D. vance says otherwise. Riding on X if only there was a way to stop this type of software error that allowed non citizens to vote in our elections.

[Sue Guzman]

Fox's Christina Coleman War Secretary Pete Hegseth is asking a Senate committee for more money for the conflict in Iran. Fox's Jennifer Griffin the Pentagon is slated

[Jennifer Griffin]

to run out of money at the end of July, early August, and so they need Congress to intervene if they're going to keep going. What we understand right now is that they're basically robbing the oper and maintenance budgets to keep the war going. They're going through a lot of munitions with the ongoing, ongoing airstrikes that have really ramped up in the last 10 days. The last time that the Pentagon held a press briefing and took questions from the Pentagon press corps about the war was May 5th. That's over two months ago.

[Sue Guzman]

And the House has passed a government funding bill that would extend funding through the midterm elections. It now heads to the Senate. I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX News.

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