2AM ET 07/23/2026 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update – 2AM ET 07/23/2026 Newscast

Host: Sue Guzman (FOX News)
Date: July 23, 2026
Episode Overview:
This episode delivers the latest breaking news on U.S. government funding for the Iran conflict, legislative maneuvering in Congress, military developments in the Middle East, new polling data on the economy and President Trump, and updates on Tropical Storm Bertha.

---

Main Theme

A fast-paced roundup of pressing national and international stories:

• U.S. legislative action to fund the Iran conflict and avoid a government shutdown
• Honors for U.S. soldiers killed in Iran
• Tensions in the Middle East, U.S.-Russia diplomacy
• Public opinion on President Trump, the economy, and upcoming midterms
• Legal developments involving the former Biden special counsel
• Live weather report on Tropical Storm Bertha

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Congressional Action: Iran Conflict Funding and Defense Spending

(00:02 - 01:01)

• Sue Guzman introduces passage of a $95 billion funding package for the conflict with Iran and a $1.5 trillion defense bill.

• Chad Pergram explains legislative strategy and partisanship:

  • House approved a stopgap bill to avoid fall government shutdown.
  • The "Save America Act" was attached to the budget framework.
  • Noted GOP skepticism; Senate Majority Leader John Thune unlikely to act until September.
  • The House budget package, if used by Republicans, could bypass the filibuster and potentially "cut Democrats out of the funding process."
  • A new plan barring congressional stock trading also passed.

  Chad Pergram [00:45]: “That package is immune to filibusters. Republicans could then cut Democrats out of the funding process. Republicans hope the threat compels Democrats to help avoid a full government shutdown.”

2. Honoring U.S. Soldiers & Ongoing Iran Attacks

(01:01 - 01:41)

• Sue Guzman reports President Trump participated in a ceremony for the remains of four U.S. soldiers killed in Iran.

• Unnamed Military Expert (likely a FOX News military analyst) highlights the intensity of recent attacks:

  • Describes "dozens of ballistic missiles and drones" targeting the base on July 17, leading to U.S. casualties.
  • Notes over 8,500 drones and missiles launched at U.S. bases by Iran since the conflict began four months prior.

  Military Expert [01:23]: “It's important to point out that the Iranians have fired more than 8,500 drones and missiles at U.S. bases since the war began four months ago.”

3. U.S.-Russia Diplomacy & Middle East Tensions

(01:41 - 02:00)

• Sue Guzman covers Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Thailand.
  • Talks centered on Ukraine and the Middle East.
  • Fox News attempted to question Lavrov about Russian assistance to Iran; Lavrov gave no answer and exited.

4. Public Opinion: Poll on Trump, Economy, and Political Climate

(02:32 - 03:20)

• Kristin Goodwin breaks down findings from a new Fox News poll:

  • Democrats hold a 53%-46% lead over Republicans among likely House voters.
  • President Trump’s approval remains at 39%; "unchanged for the last three months."
  • 76% rate the economy as "only fair or poor."
  • Roughly 75% report inflation has caused financial hardship.
  • 23% want "dramatic change" in government.
  • 50% view capitalism positively; 30% favor socialism (up 3% from last year).
  • 31% have a positive view of the Democratic Socialists of America.

  Kristin Goodwin [02:40]: “The Democratic advantage comes as President Trump's approval rating stands at 39%, unchanged for the last three months.”

  Kristin Goodwin [03:02]: “76% say they'd rate the economy as only fair or poor. And another 3/4 say inflation has caused them financial hardship.”

5. Judiciary Probe into Former Biden Special Counsel

(03:20 - 03:37)

• Sue Guzman reports that House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan referred former special counsel Jack Smith to the DOJ over accusations of misleading Congress regarding the Trump investigation. Requests prosecutors to consider criminal charges.

6. Tropical Storm Bertha Impact

(03:37 - 04:23)

• Robert Ray gives a live weather report from Dauphin Island, Louisiana:

  • Tropical Storm Bertha brought "40-plus mile an hour wind gusts" and minimal rainfall (less than an inch).
  • The main impact was minor flooding on local marshes; no catastrophic events reported.
  • The storm made landfall at 2pm Central in St. Bernard Parish, with local authorities confident the situation is under control.

  Robert Ray [03:49]: “As far as visuals, nothing catastrophic, thank God. But we did receive 40 plus mile an hour wind gusts, very minimal rain less than an inch across the region.”

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Chad Pergram [00:45]:
  “That package is immune to filibusters. Republicans could then cut Democrats out of the funding process.”

• Unnamed Military Expert [01:23]:
  “It's important to point out that the Iranians have fired more than 8,500 drones and missiles at U.S. bases since the war began four months ago.”

• Kristin Goodwin [03:02]:
  “76% say they'd rate the economy as only fair or poor. And another 3/4 say inflation has caused them financial hardship.”

---

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------| | 00:02 | Major Congressional funding for Iran conflict | | 00:18 | Chad Pergram on legislative strategy & budget | | 01:01 | President Trump honors fallen U.S. soldiers | | 01:12 | Military report on Iranian missiles & drones | | 01:41 | US-Russia diplomacy in Thailand | | 02:32 | Fox News poll: Trump, economy, midterms | | 03:20 | Judicial referral: Jack Smith investigation | | 03:42 | Tropical Storm Bertha update from Louisiana |

---

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a comprehensive, content-rich overview of the July 23, 2026, 2AM ET Fox News Hourly Update.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

Funding for the Iran conflict. I'm Sue Guzman, FOX News. And the House has approved $95 billion in funding for the conflict with Iran and also okayed a $1.5 trillion defense bill. Details from Fox's Chad Pergram.

[Chad Pergram]

The House of Representatives trying to cure the legislative summertime blues. The House approved a stopgap bill to avoid a government shutdown this fall. The House sending the Senate a budget framework to pay for the conflict in Iran, tacking on the Save America Act. But there's GOP skepticism. Senate Majority Leader John Thune may not even tackle the budget blueprint until September.

[Robert Ray]

We could pull that budget resolution passed by the House and use it to fund government.

[Chad Pergram]

That package is immune to filibusters. Republicans could then cut Democrats out of the funding process. Republicans hope the threat compels Democrats to help avoid a full government shutdown. The House also approving a plan barring members from trading stocks.

[Sue Guzman]

President Trump Wednesday honoring the four U.S. soldiers killed in the Iran conflict, joining their families as their remains were returned home. This as Tehran continues to target U.S. allies in the Middle East.

[Unnamed Military Expert]

There were dozens of ballistic missiles and drones that were fired that night on July 17th at the base where these Americans were being housed. And it was at least one, possibly more ballistic missile that struck the base and caused the devastation that led to the deaths. It's important to point out that the Iranians Iranians have fired more than 8,500 drones and missiles at U.S. bases since the war began four months ago.

[Sue Guzman]

Secretary of State Marco Rubio meeting with Russia's foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Thailand for talks about Ukraine and the conflicts in the Middle East. Fox News asked Lavrov whether Russia is helping Iran target American troops, but Lavrov didn't respond and walked away. America's listening to Fox News who helps

[Chevron Narrator]

America go farther, fly higher, dream even bigger?

[Ryan Reynolds]

People do.

[Chevron Narrator]

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

[Sue Guzman]

a new Fox News poll sheds light on what Americans think of President Trump, the midterms and economic growth.

[Kristin Goodwin]

A Fox News poll of over 1,000 US voters finding if the November election was today, 53% would back the Democratic candidate in their house district, while 46% would back the Republican. The Democratic advantage comes as President Trump's approval rating stands at 39%, unchanged for the last three months. Roughly three quarters of those polled, 76% say they'd rate the economy as only fair or poor. And another 3/4 say inflation has caused them financial hardship. 23% want dramatic change in the government 50% viewing capitalism positively 30% favoring socialism, up 3% from last year. The Democratic socialists of America are viewed positively by 31%. Kristin Goodwin, Fox News.

[Sue Guzman]

House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan has referred former Biden special counsel Jack Smith to the Justice Department, accusing him of misleading Congress about his investigation into President Donald Trump. He wants federal prosecutors to determine whether or not criminal charges are warranted. And Tropical Storm Bertha is currently battering Louisiana. Here's FOX weather's Robert Ray.

[Robert Ray]

I was pretty intense here earlier for a system that was so offshore. The effects on this barrier island, well, not bad, right? As far as visuals, nothing catastrophic, thank God. But we did receive 40 plus mile an hour wind gusts, very minimal rain less than an inch across the region as the system trekked to the west and then made landfall at 2pm Central Time in St. Bernard Parish. Bayous, essentially, marshes in that area. So even though they had some unpush or water rise there, nothing is going to be in a bad scenario, as the governor said.

[Sue Guzman]

Ottaway, there's Robert Ray in Dauphin Island. I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX News.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Hey, it's Ryan Reynolds here from IT Mobile. Now, I looking for fun ways to tell you that Mint's offer of unlimited Premium Wireless for $15 a month is back. So I thought it would be fun if we made $15 bills, but it turns out that's very illegal. So there goes my big idea for the commercial. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment

[Kristin Goodwin]

of $45 for three months, $90 for six months or $180 for a 12 month plan. Required $15 per month equivalent taxes and fees. Extra initial plan term only greater than 50 gigabytes. Me slow when network is busy. See terms.